I actually thought that reporting suspicious activity was the responsibility and duty of every citizen.
I am very concerned that this could be abused. Reporting could now be mandated with penalties involved for those truckers, conductors, etc. who do not turn in their weekly TIPS report.
Jemian, very good comments this morning. I, too, wondered about the chance for abuse. But I think any reports will be handled seriously and thwart abuse. At least, I hope....
AG Ashcroft stresses this is not so. And you are absolutely right - it is the duty of all Americans to report these sorts of things.
Problem is, the receiving end of the report is not well geared to handle what it is receiving. (I guess the citizenry are doing what they are supposed to after all.) This TIPS program is simply a way to streamline the movement of information the Justice Department is getting.
It doesn't do us a darn bit of good to report anything if the report has to wend its way through a whole bunch of bureaucracy.
This is a red-tape cutting action - so I see it as a good thing.