Everyone can help deter terrorist attacks

  • Published
  • 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism office
MINOT AIR FORCE BASE, N.D. --  It has been seven years since the Sept. 11 attacks on our country. Thankfully as a nation we have not had to endure another tragic event of such magnitude. We need to understand however, terrorist attacks continue to persist all over the world every day. How can a single person help deter a terrorist attack? Be vigilant and report suspicious activities!

"Terrorists conduct surveillance to determine a target's suitability for attack by assessing the capabilities of existing security and discerning weaknesses in the installation, facility, etc.," said PJ Palotta, 5th Bomb Wing antiterrorism officer. "After identifying weaknesses they plan their attack at the point of greatest vulnerability."

"Surveillance takes time and invariably terrorists will make a mistake so knowing what to look for is key to detecting surveillance attempts," added Tim Allen, 91st Missile Wing antiterrorism officer.

Below are some examples of what to report: 

· Multiple sightings of the same suspicious person, vehicle, or activity, separated by time, distance, or direction.
· Individuals who stay at bus or train stops for extended periods of time while buses and trains come and go.
· Individuals who carry on long conversations on pay or cellular phones.
· Individuals who order food at a restaurant and leave before the food arrives or who order without eating.
· Joggers who stand and stretch for an inordinate amount of time.
· Individuals sitting in a parked car for an extended period of time.
· Individuals who don't fit into the surrounding environment due to improper attire for the location or season.
· Individuals drawing pictures or taking notes in an area not normally of interest to a tourist Individuals showing unusual interest in photographing security cameras, guard locations, or watching security reaction drills and procedures.
· Individuals who exhibit suspicious behavior, such as staring or quickly looking away from individuals or vehicles as they enter or leave installations, facilities or parking areas.

Terrorists may also employ aggressive surveillance techniques, such as making false phone threats, with the goal of observing the actions of first responders. The key to surveillance detection is to report anything that doesn't seem right, remember if one you questions it, report it!

To report suspicious activity, contact the law enforcement desk at 723-3096.