Thanks for fighting the good fight.
Thread looks great! Thanks!
TM25. Wow! It does seem like some kind of milestone. I am honored to be apart of such a fine group of folks.
Remember, our enemies are patient. They are waiting and planning, biding their time.
We need to keep alert and stay vigilant. Lives are at stake.
Things to Look Out For:
- Multiple sightings of the same suspicious person, vehicle or activity at the same location;
- Individuals or activities that don't "fit" into the surrounding environment;
- Individuals sitting in a parked vehicle for an extended period of time;
- Individuals or several people sketching or taking notes, photographing or videotaping areas or buildings not normally associated with tourist activity;
- Clothing out of place for the weather, such as someone wearing a heavy coat in hot weather;
- Individuals or people carrying unusually heavy bags or backpacks;
- Vehicles -- especially vans, U-Hauls or delivery trucks -- improperly parked or parked in locations not normally associated with deliveries;
- Follow your instinct. If something doesn't look right, it might not be.
POSSIBLE SIGNS OF TERRORISM
Unusual videotaping or photography of buildings or other critical infrastructure.
Videotaping is one of the ways that terrorists gather information about a possible target. A major terrorist plot in Singapore was averted when videotapes of the buildings to be attacked, including embassies, were discovered.
Suspicious vehicles near significant buildings or in public places.
Terrorists use vehicles for many purposes, from surveillance to planting bombs (such as in Oklahoma City or Bali). Vehicles may be parked for an unusual length of time, sometimes in no-parking areas. Explosives can be heavy, so cars and vans may sit abnormally low on their suspensions. They may have expired registrations or have false or missing plates. There was one recorded incident where an attack was foiled because a vehicle had front and rear plates that did not match.
Suspicious accommodation needs.
The way terrorists use, rent and buy accommodation is often suspicious. A British example was a rented garage that was used as a bomb factory. A resident became suspicious and reported men coming and going wearing rubber gloves. This led to a number of arrests of terrorists who had already attacked Heathrow Airport.
Unusual purchases or possession of fertilizer or chemicals.
Fertilizer is a widely available product that has been used in many terrorist bombs. The Oklahoma City bombing killed 168 people. One of the clues in that case was a receipt for two tons of fertilizer.
A lifestyle that does not add up.
While planning an attack, terrorists may lead lives that appear unusual or suspicious. The 9/11 terrorists are classic examples – learning to fly but not wanting to learn how to land.