Everyone Plays a Role in “If You See Something, Say Something®”

Summary

The 'If you see something, say something' campaign is a national public awareness initiative post-9/11, urging individuals to report suspicious activities to prevent terrorism. It partners with various organizations, emphasizing behaviors like observation, eliciting information, misrepresentation, and unauthorized intrusion as potential threats. It clarifies that factors like disability, race, or language proficiency are not suspicious. The campaign educates on recognizing signs of potential threats and encourages reporting to local authorities, highlighting the community's role in safety.

Takeaways

• 🛡️ 'If you see something, say something' is a national public awareness campaign focused on preventing terrorism.
• 👥 The campaign encourages individuals to report suspicious activities to local authorities to ensure community safety.
• 🏢 It was initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security post-September 11, 2001, to enhance public vigilance.
• 🤝 The campaign collaborates with various organizations to raise awareness about recognizing potential threats.
• 🔍 Suspicious activities include unusual observation, eliciting information, misrepresentation, and unauthorized intrusions.
• 🚫 Factors like disability, race, religion, or language proficiency are not indicators of suspicious behavior.
• 🚨 Reporting should be done for behaviors that may suggest planning of a terrorist attack, not for constitutionally protected activities.
• 📞 If immediate danger is perceived, dial 911, and for suspicious activities, use local tip lines or report via dhs.gov/SeeSay.
• 🕵️‍♂️ When reporting, consider the five W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why to provide a comprehensive account.
• 👁️‍🗨️ The public plays a crucial role in identifying and reporting suspicious activities, potentially making a significant difference in preventing terrorism.

Q & A

What is the 'If you see something, say something' campaign?

The 'If you see something, say something' campaign is a national public awareness campaign that empowers individuals to report suspicious activities to local authorities in order to prevent terrorism.

Why was the U.S. Department of Homeland Security created?

The U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created after the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001, and it committed to the 'If you see something, say something' campaign to raise public awareness about recognizing and reporting suspicious activities related to terrorism.

What types of organizations does the campaign partner with?

The campaign partners with all types of organizations to raise public awareness about the importance of recognizing and reporting potential terrorist activities.

What is considered suspicious activity according to the campaign?

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that may indicate someone is planning a terrorist attack or other terrorism-related crime, such as observation and surveillance, eliciting information, misrepresentation, breach or attempted intrusion, and weapons collection and storage.

What factors are not considered suspicious according to the campaign?

Disability, religion, race or ethnicity, gender or gender identity, sexual orientation, nationality or national origin, speaking with an accent, or being less than proficient in English are not considered suspicious factors.

How can one report suspicious activity if they observe it?

One can report suspicious activity to local law enforcement or through their local tip line, which can be found on dhs.gov/SeeSay.

What are the five W's to consider when reporting suspicious activity?

The five W's to consider when reporting suspicious activity are: Who (description of the person), What (explanation of what was observed), When (time and date of the activity), Where (location of the activity), and Why (reason why the behavior seemed suspicious).

What is the importance of reporting suspicious activities?

Reporting suspicious activities is important because it allows trained law enforcement officials to review the information and determine the best course of action, potentially preventing terrorist attacks or other crimes.

How can one learn more about the campaign and its partnership opportunities?

One can learn more about the campaign and its partnership opportunities by visiting www.dhs.gov/SeeSay, where additional signs of suspicious activity and materials for partnering can be downloaded.

What should one do if there is an immediate emergency?

If there is an immediate emergency, one should call 911. For non-emergency suspicious activities, one can report them to local law enforcement or through the local tip line.

How does the campaign ensure that reported behaviors are not constitutionally protected?

The campaign emphasizes that behaviors alone are not inherently criminal and may be constitutionally protected. It encourages individuals to share their observations with local law enforcement who are trained to make these distinctions.

Outlines

00:00

🛡️ Community Safety and Reporting Suspicious Activity

The script emphasizes the collective responsibility of community members in ensuring safety and the role of the 'If you see something, say something' campaign. This national public awareness campaign was initiated post-9/11 by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security to encourage individuals to report suspicious activities that could be terrorism-related. The campaign collaborates with various organizations to educate the public on recognizing potential threats. It clarifies that factors such as disability, religion, race, gender, sexual orientation, nationality, or language proficiency are not suspicious. Instead, behaviors like observation and surveillance, eliciting information, misrepresentation, breach or attempted intrusion, and weapons collection should be reported. The script advises reporting such activities to local authorities, with a reminder that these behaviors alone are not criminal and are constitutionally protected. It directs the audience to dhs.gov/SeeSay for more information and encourages participation in the campaign to help identify and report suspicious activities.

Keywords

💡Protect

The term 'protect' refers to the act of keeping someone or something safe from harm or injury. In the context of the video, it emphasizes the collective responsibility of individuals to ensure the safety of their communities. It is a call to action, urging viewers to be vigilant and proactive in identifying and reporting potential threats to prevent terrorism.

💡If you see something, say something

This is a national public awareness campaign slogan that encourages individuals to report any suspicious activity to local authorities. The slogan is central to the video's message, promoting community involvement in counter-terrorism efforts. It is used throughout the script to remind viewers of their role in maintaining safety.

💡Terrorism

Terrorism is the use of violence or threats to intimidate or coerce, especially for political purposes. The video discusses the importance of recognizing and reporting suspicious activities that may be related to terrorism. It serves as a reminder of the serious nature of the threats that communities need to guard against.

💡U.S. Department of Homeland Security

This is a federal agency responsible for protecting the United States from threats, including terrorism. The video mentions its establishment post-September 11, 2001, and its commitment to the 'If you see something, say something' campaign, highlighting its role in national security and public awareness.

💡Suspicious activity

Suspicious activity, as defined in the video, refers to any observed behavior that may indicate someone is planning a terrorist attack or other terrorism-related crime. The script provides examples of such behavior, like observation and surveillance, eliciting information, and misrepresentation, to help viewers identify potential threats.

💡Observation and surveillance

This term is used in the video to describe a type of suspicious behavior where an individual shows unusual or prolonged interest in a facility or infrastructure. It is an example of the kind of activity that should be reported to authorities as it may indicate pre-attack planning.

💡Eliciting information

Eliciting information is another form of suspicious activity where someone asks questions beyond mere curiosity about event or facility security operations. The video warns that this could be an attempt to learn how to bypass security measures or to plan an attack.

💡Misrepresentation

Misrepresentation in the context of the video refers to providing false information or misrepresenting one's affiliation to conceal illegal activity. It is a tactic that potential terrorists might use to infiltrate events or facilities, which underscores the importance of vigilance.

💡Breach or attempted intrusion

This term describes an unauthorized person impersonating authorized personnel to gain access to restricted areas. The video uses this as an example of suspicious behavior that should be reported, as it could be a precursor to illegal actions.

💡Weapons collection and storage

The video mentions the accumulation of chemicals, explosives, weapons, or other destructive materials as a sign of potential terrorism. It advises reporting such findings to law enforcement, as it may indicate preparations for a terrorist act.

💡Local law enforcement

Local law enforcement is the entity to which individuals should report suspicious activities. The video stresses the importance of sharing observations with these trained professionals who can assess the information and determine the appropriate response.

💡Five W’s

The Five W’s refer to the questions 'Who,' 'What,' 'When,' 'Where,' and 'Why,' which are used as a guideline for reporting suspicious activities. The video instructs viewers to consider these questions when making a report, ensuring that they provide comprehensive and useful information to authorities.

Highlights

The 'If you see something, say something' campaign is designed to empower individuals to report suspicious activity to prevent terrorism.

The campaign was initiated by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security following the September 11, 2001 attacks.

It emphasizes the importance of recognizing and reporting terrorism-related suspicious activities.

The campaign partners with various organizations to raise public awareness about the importance of vigilance.

Suspicious activity is defined as any behavior that may indicate someone is planning a terrorist attack or related crime.

Certain factors like disability, religion, race, or sexual orientation are not considered suspicious on their own.

Examples of actual suspicious behavior include observation and surveillance of facilities beyond casual interest.

Eliciting information about event or facility security operations at an unusual level is a sign of suspicious behavior.

Misrepresentation, like providing false information or misrepresenting affiliation, is a tactic used by potential terrorists.

Unauthorized persons impersonating authorized personnel to enter restricted areas is a form of suspicious activity.

Stockpiling unusual amounts of chemicals, explosives, or weapons may indicate terrorism-related activities.

It's crucial to report suspicious behaviors to local law enforcement, who are trained to assess and act on such information.

The public can learn more about signs of suspicious activity by visiting the DHS website.

In case of immediate emergencies, the public is advised to call 911.

Local tip lines can be found on the DHS website for reporting suspicious activities.

Each state, U.S. territory, and many cities have local authorities to handle reports of suspicious activities.

When reporting, consider the five W's: Who, What, When, Where, and Why to provide a comprehensive report.

The public plays a vital role in community safety by being vigilant and reporting suspicious activities.

The campaign encourages everyone to participate and empower others to help identify and report suspicious activities.

Partnership opportunities and downloadable materials are available on the DHS website for those interested in joining the campaign.

Transcripts

We all have something or someone to protect.

Everyone plays a role in keeping our communities safe.

And the If you see something, say something

campaign empowers individuals to report suspicious activity

to local authorities in order to prevent terrorism.

If you see something, say something is a national public awareness campaign.

After the horrific attacks on September 11, 2001,

the U.S. Department of Homeland Security was created

and soon after committed to this year round campaign,

which stresses the importance of recognizing and reporting

terrorism related suspicious activity to local authorities.

The If you see something, say something campaign partners with all types

of organizations to raise public awareness about this message.

Join the effort and learn how to recognize signs of a potential threat.

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that may indicate

someone is planning a terrorist attack or other terrorism related crime.

But remember, these factors are not suspicious:

Disability, religion, race or ethnicity, gender or gender identity

or sexual orientation, nationality or national origin.

It is also not suspicious

to speak with an accent or to be less than proficient in English.

Here are a few examples of actual suspicious behavior:

Observation and surveillance.

This could be a person

demonstrating unusual or prolonged interest in a facility, building,

or other infrastructure beyond mere casual or professional interest.

Eliciting information.

Asking questions about an event

or facility security operations at a level beyond mere curiosity

could be a sign that someone is trying to learn

how to bypass security measures or how to cause harm.

Misrepresentation.

This could be someone providing false information

or misrepresenting their affiliation

or identification as a means of concealing possible illegal activity.

Potential terrorists could try this tactic to infiltrate events or facilities

or misuse documents to conduct unlawful activity.

Breach or attempted intrusion.

This is an unauthorized person

impersonating authorized personnel, such as pretending to be a law enforcement

officer or janitor in order to enter a restricted area

to conduct illegal actions.

Weapons collection and storage.

If you discover someone stockpiling an unusual

and unexplainable amount of chemicals, explosive materials, weapons,

or other destructive material in a manner that would arouse suspicion of terrorism,

this may warrant a call to law enforcement.

It's also important to remember that these behaviors alone

are not inherently criminal and may be constitutionally protected.

So it's important to share

what you've noticed with local law enforcement

who are trained to make these distinctions.

They will review the information provided and determine the best course of action.

You can learn about additional signs of suspicious activity by visiting

dhs.gov/SeeSay

If you see activity that exhibits the signs

we've just reviewed, it's important to report it to local law enforcement.

If there is an immediate emergency, please call 911.

You can find your local tip line on dhs.gov/SeeSay,

or by scanning this code.

Each state, U.S.

territory and many cities have their own local authority

where these reports of suspicious activity are received, analyzed,

and shared with trained law enforcement officials.

When reporting suspicious activity,

think about the five W’s:

Who:

Give a description of the person or persons.

What:

Explain exactly what you saw.

What was the person doing?

Did they have any items with them?

When:

At what time and date did you see the suspicious activity occur?

Where:

Provide the location where you witnessed the activity.

Why: Explain why

the behavior seemed suspicious.

You play an important role in protecting your community.

Signs of terrorism related suspicious activity could appear anywhere

in our daily routine.

You never know,

one tip could make a difference.

Everyone is encouraged to participate in the

If you see something, say something campaign.

And empower others to help identify and report suspicious activity.

Learn more about how to partner with the campaign and download materials

by visiting www.dhs.gov/SeeSay

Remember, if you see something, say something.