City of Frederick , Maryland
OPERATION SAFEGUARD
VEHICLE
DETAILING, BODY SHOPS, PAINTING
and COMMERCIAL
LETTERING
As described in the accompanying letter, Operation SAFEGUARD is based on the idea that certain legitimate businesses and industries may be unknowingly exploited by terrorists who portray themselves as honest customers seeking to purchase, lease or somehow appropriate certain material, licenses and/or services to covertly further a terrorist plot.
The following may be general indicators of potential terrorist planning or activities. Alone each indicator can result from legitimate recreational or commercial activities or criminal activity not related to terrorism; however, multiple indicators combined with other information can possibly suggest a terrorist threat.
- Physical surveillance, which may include note taking or the use of binoculars, cameras or maps near key facilities.
- Attempts to gain sensitive information regarding key facilities or personnel through personal contact or by telephone, mail or e-mail.
- Attempts to penetrate or test physical security and response procedures at key facilities.
- Attempts to improperly acquire explosives, weapons, ammunition, dangerous chemicals, flight manuals or other materials that could be used in a terrorist attack.
- Suspicious or improper attempts to acquire official vehicles, uniforms, badges, access cards or identification for key facilities.
- Presence of individuals who do not appear to belong in the workplace, business establishment or near a key facility.
- Behavior which appears to denote planning for terrorist activity, such as mapping out routes, playing out scenarios, monitoring key facilities and timing traffic flow or signals.
- Stockpiling suspicious materials or abandoning potential containers for explosives (e.g., vehicles or suitcases).
The following examples of activity relating to Vehicle Detailing, Body Shops, Painting and Commercial Lettering, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:
·
Individual
purchases of paint or decals similar to those found on local public service or
official government vehicles (police, fire, ambulance, utility company, etc.)
by those without authority to do so, or the theft of same.
·
The
unexplained loss or theft of paint or decals similar to those utilized on local
public service or official government vehicles (police, fire, ambulance,
utility company, etc.).
·
Discovery
of painting patterns fashioned to resemble those of local security or official
government vehicles.
·
A
request by an individual to paint or decal a vehicle so that it closely
resembles the fleet vehicles of a well-known company (i.e., Fed Ex, UPS, etc.),
and the individual making the request is not employed or authorized to do so by
such company.
·
A
request by an individual to paint or decal a vehicle for commercial use, and
you believe that the business does not actually exist.
·
Demands
to create additional voids, hidden compartments or storage areas in a vehicle.
Your impressions and assessment based upon your professional business experience are extremely valuable and should help guide you in determining if a customer request, a fact pattern or set of circumstances is unusual. Please remember that the conduct itself does not have to be criminal per se for you to report it to the Frederick Police Department. We may be contacted 24-hours a day, seven days a week by calling:
301-600-2100
SGT Dennis K. Dudley
Planning Division
Frederick Police Department
301-600-1206 (Office)
301-600-2082 (FAX)