Indicators
You know your community better than anyone. No one else can spot something odd or out of place better than you.
Whether you are on your way to work, walking in your neighborhood, or out and about in your community, remember: We all play a role in keeping our communities safe. Remember to stay vigilant and say something when you see signs of suspicious activity.
What to look out for:
EXPRESSED OR IMPLIED THREAT
Threatening to commit a crime that could harm or kill people or damage a facility, infrastructure, or secured site.
SURVEILLANCE
A prolonged interest in or taking pictures/videos of personnel, facilities, security features, or infrastructure in an unusual or covert manner.
THEFT/LOSS/
DIVERSION
Stealing or diverting items—such as equipment, uniforms, or badges—that belong to a facility or secured site.
TESTING OR PROBING OF SECURITY
Investigating or testing a facility’s security or IT systems to assess the strength or weakness of the target.
AVIATION ACTIVITY
Operating or interfering with the operation of an aircraft that poses a threat or harm to people and property.
CYBERATTACK
Disrupting or compromising an organization’s information technology systems.
ELICITING INFORMATION
Questioning personnel about security that goes beyond mere curiosity about an event, facility, or operations.
ABANDONED PACKAGES
Unattended bags or boxes left in public places.
UNATTENDED VEHICLES
Cars, trucks, vans, and any other type of vehicle left in No Parking Zones.
SUSPICIOUS SMELLS
Worrisome and/or unusual smells or smoke in the area, especially around trash cans.
BREACH/ATTEMPTED INTRUSION
Unauthorized people trying to enter a restricted area or impersonating authorized personnel.
MISREPRESENTATION
Presenting false information or misusing documents to conceal possible illegal activity.
ACQUISITION OF EXPERTISE
Gaining skills or knowledge on a specific topic, such as facility, security, military tactics, or flying an aircraft.
GETTING MATERIALS TO MAKE WEAPONS
Acquisition and/or storage of unusual materials such as cell phones, radio controllers, or toxic materials.
SECTOR-SPECIFIC INCIDENT
Actions which raise concern to specific sectors, (e.g., power plants) with regard to their personnel, facilities, systems, or functions.
RECRUITING/
FINANCING
Funding suspicious or criminal activity or recruiting people to participate in criminal or terrorist activity.
SABOTAGE/TAMPERING/
VANDALISM
Damaging or destroying part of a facility, infrastructure, or secured site.
WEAPONS COLLECTION/
STORAGE
Collection or discovery of unusual amounts of weapons including explosives, chemicals, or other destructive materials.