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Webpublished at http://www.theinfozone.net


Learning to Become Vigilant

The Post 911 World is Different
We have to be vigilant to be safer
August 10,2005 -- by James Murray © 2005
Governments Want You to be Vigilant! -- Here is How You Can Do It

"Be Vigilant" -- That is the message for citizens from their
governments -- as they seek help from the public in the war on terror.

But what exactly are people being asked to do to "be vigilant"? Sadly,
some governments are not as helpful, when it comes providing
information, on exactly what people should be looking for to "be
vigilant". Without any specific information on what to look for, there
is a risk that authorities will receive calls from people reporting
things that are not real threats.

John Thompson, the President of the Mackenzie Institute, a Canadian
based organization says "Over the past four years, Osama bin Laden has
directly instructed Jihadists to attack ten nations: The United States,
Great Britain, Australia, Spain, Canada and Italy, as well as Morocco,
Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. So far al Qaeda has delivered
successful attacks against all but Canada, Italy and Jordan -- if one
counts the Bali bombing as a successful strike against Australia."
New President of Iran
al-Zawahri threatens western nations

Thompson has written an article "Waiting for the Kaboom: Indicators to
Watch for". This article offers ideas for citizens to help them be more
vigilant and help authorities protect our communities.

The Infozone asked Mr. Thompson for permission to quote from his
article for this report. In his reply he stated, "We tend to have an
open copyright on our material -- by which we mean that people are free
to quote, cite, or reproduce it without charge (so long as the normal
conventions of attribution are respected)." The Infozone thanks Mr.
Thompson, and invite you to also visit The MacKenzie Institute Website.

Helping law enforcement, by becoming extra sets of eyes and ears, we
can help make our communities safer from terrorists. It must be said
however that your role, as eyes and ears, is that of an observer.
Please do not take action on your own, but remember, if you are right
in your suspicions, then you are dealing with potentially very
dangerous people. Leave law enforcement to the police.

Now, what can you do to become better aware of people, or situations,
which should be reported to police?

Becoming a first line of community defence against terrorism requires
an alert and aware citizenry. At work, or in your community, the
MacKenzie Institute states that any of the following events that you
observe should trigger your suspicions:

"The theft or loss of badges, credentials, ID cards, uniforms, or the
discovery of fake credentials. Also the theft or government, military
or emergency vehicles should make you vigilant."

"Individuals photographing, sketching or maintaining surveillance of
buildings and facilities. This should include individuals, and
particularly multiple persons."

Trespassing near key facilities or in supposedly secure areas,
particularly by multiple persons should set off your 'vigilance alarm'.

Thompson also advises that you be aware of "the presence of uncommon or
abandoned vehicles, packages, or containers."

Also, keep an eye out for people who are "searching trash containers or
placing unusual items in them -- particularly around transit systems,
or the lobbies of crowded buildings.

"The thefts of sensitive military or government property such as
computers can be an indication of terrorist activities. As well,
purchases at Government surplus sales of military, police, fire or
paramedic vehicles and equipment, particularly if there are indications
of an intention to refurbish them to working condition.

"The attempted purchase or theft of large numbers of weapons (including
knives).

"The attempted purchase of supplies necessary for the manufacture of
explosive devices - this includes an unusual or frequent purchase of
fertilizer or cleaning supplies.

"An increase in cyber attacks/probes.

"An increase in the number of threats or false fire alarms to
facilities that require evacuation.

"Theft of government or private agency vehicles, vehicle passes,
uniforms, or copies of standard operating procedures.

"Unknown workers trying to gain access to facilities for repairs,
installation of equipment, etc.

"E-mails that request information regarding details of your facility,
personnel, or standard operating procedures.

"Unusual patterns of seemingly unimportant activity: Examples might
include increased foot traffic into a little used access tunnel
underneath an office tower, or a fisherman who keeps returning to a
point close to a nuclear power plant.

"Unknown persons or occupied vehicles loitering in vicinity of a
potential target for an extended period of time."

You should also be aware, and vigilant, for other unusual activities
including:

"A large group of men (particularly 'Middle Eastern' looking men
- forget the PC tripe about the purported evils of racial profiling)
who occupy a house, apartment, or motel rooms with no apparent purpose;
and who have no apparent patterns of departure/arrival that are
consistent with commuting to work or school.

"If there is a smell of chemicals (particularly like ammonia or
acetone) coming from the above site, call it in immediately! They may
be cooking up explosives.

"A similar group that is interested in renting (especially for cash)
office space or an apartment, yet seem to perform no apparent function
with it.

"People who are in possession of large amounts of cash for no apparent
reason.

"People who attempt to purchase or lease vehicles or boats with cash,
and who seem evasive about the paperwork."

Riding the London Underground

"Regarding suicide attackers, in a January 2004 handout to Law
Enforcement Agencies, the US Department of Homeland Security advised
readers to look out for certain indicators. These included:

"A shaved head or short haircut. A short haircut or recently shaved
beard or moustache may be evident by differences in skin complexion on
the head or face.

"May smell of herbal or flower water, as they may have sprayed perfume
on themselves and clothing to prepare for Paradise.

"Suspects have been seen praying fervently, giving the appearance of
whispering to someone. Recent suicide bombers have raised their hands
in the air just before the explosion to prevent the destruction of
their fingerprints. They have also placed identity cards in their shoes
because they want to be praised and recognized as martyrs.

"Additionally, bulky clothing, which may be inappropriate for the
weather and circumstances, can conceal a vest bomb (though many have
used backpacks instead of vest bombs, particularly in the summer).

"Moreover, male suicide bombers have often worn multiple sets of
underwear (as many as ten in some cases) and a protective cup over
their genitalia to protect these organs in anticipation of the 72
Virgins they believe will be accorded a "Martyr" in the afterlife, an
odd fit to the pants may be another indicator."

So now you know some of what you should be paying attention to. So now,
what do you do if you find someone or something that set off your
'vigilance alarm'?

First, do not hesitate to contact your local police. Remember, you are
on the front lines of a possible attack, you have to be both vigilant,
and ready to take action reporting what you have seen, the police can't
be everywhere.

You should make sure that you are clear in any reports that you make to
police. Take notes, and "share your suspicions but emphasize the
reasons why they arose in the first place. Record your observations as
quickly as possible, while your impressions are still fresh."

It is worth repeating, that you should leave the police work to the
police. Once you have made your suspicions known, your role is
complete, unless the authorities contact you. You are not trained as a
law enforcement officer, and you are not a vigilante either. You must
step back, you might make any possible terrorists suspicious of you.
You could tip them off that they have been observed. Let the local law
enforcement do the job that they are trained in.

Runge

Lol another evleth subject

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Webpublished at http://www.theinfozone.net


Learning to Become Vigilant

The Post 911 World is Different
We have to be vigilant to be safer
August 10,2005 -- by James Murray © 2005
Governments Want You to be Vigilant! -- Here is How You Can Do It

"Be Vigilant" -- That is the message for citizens from their
governments -- as they seek help from the public in the war on terror.

But what exactly are people being asked to do to "be vigilant"? Sadly,
some governments are not as helpful, when it comes providing
information, on exactly what people should be looking for to "be
vigilant". Without any specific information on what to look for, there
is a risk that authorities will receive calls from people reporting
things that are not real threats.

John Thompson, the President of the Mackenzie Institute, a Canadian
based organization says "Over the past four years, Osama bin Laden has
directly instructed Jihadists to attack ten nations: The United States,
Great Britain, Australia, Spain, Canada and Italy, as well as Morocco,
Egypt, Jordan and Saudi Arabia. So far al Qaeda has delivered
successful attacks against all but Canada, Italy and Jordan -- if one
counts the Bali bombing as a successful strike against Australia."
New President of Iran
al-Zawahri threatens western nations

Thompson has written an article "Waiting for the Kaboom: Indicators to
Watch for". This article offers ideas for citizens to help them be more
vigilant and help authorities protect our communities.

The Infozone asked Mr. Thompson for permission to quote from his
article for this report. In his reply he stated, "We tend to have an
open copyright on our material -- by which we mean that people are free
to quote, cite, or reproduce it without charge (so long as the normal
conventions of attribution are respected)." The Infozone thanks Mr.
Thompson, and invite you to also visit The MacKenzie Institute Website.

Helping law enforcement, by becoming extra sets of eyes and ears, we
can help make our communities safer from terrorists. It must be said
however that your role, as eyes and ears, is that of an observer.
Please do not take action on your own, but remember, if you are right
in your suspicions, then you are dealing with potentially very
dangerous people. Leave law enforcement to the police.

Now, what can you do to become better aware of people, or situations,
which should be reported to police?

Becoming a first line of community defence against terrorism requires
an alert and aware citizenry. At work, or in your community, the
MacKenzie Institute states that any of the following events that you
observe should trigger your suspicions:

"The theft or loss of badges, credentials, ID cards, uniforms, or the
discovery of fake credentials. Also the theft or government, military
or emergency vehicles should make you vigilant."

"Individuals photographing, sketching or maintaining surveillance of
buildings and facilities. This should include individuals, and
particularly multiple persons."

Trespassing near key facilities or in supposedly secure areas,
particularly by multiple persons should set off your 'vigilance alarm'.

Thompson also advises that you be aware of "the presence of uncommon or
abandoned vehicles, packages, or containers."

Also, keep an eye out for people who are "searching trash containers or
placing unusual items in them -- particularly around transit systems,
or the lobbies of crowded buildings.

"The thefts of sensitive military or government property such as
computers can be an indication of terrorist activities. As well,
purchases at Government surplus sales of military, police, fire or
paramedic vehicles and equipment, particularly if there are indications
of an intention to refurbish them to working condition.

"The attempted purchase or theft of large numbers of weapons (including
knives).

"The attempted purchase of supplies necessary for the manufacture of
explosive devices - this includes an unusual or frequent purchase of
fertilizer or cleaning supplies.

"An increase in cyber attacks/probes.

"An increase in the number of threats or false fire alarms to
facilities that require evacuation.

"Theft of government or private agency vehicles, vehicle passes,
uniforms, or copies of standard operating procedures.

"Unknown workers trying to gain access to facilities for repairs,
installation of equipment, etc.

"E-mails that request information regarding details of your facility,
personnel, or standard operating procedures.

"Unusual patterns of seemingly unimportant activity: Examples might
include increased foot traffic into a little used access tunnel
underneath an office tower, or a fisherman who keeps returning to a
point close to a nuclear power plant.

"Unknown persons or occupied vehicles loitering in vicinity of a
potential target for an extended period of time."

You should also be aware, and vigilant, for other unusual activities
including:

"A large group of men (particularly 'Middle Eastern' looking men
- forget the PC tripe about the purported evils of racial profiling)
who occupy a house, apartment, or motel rooms with no apparent purpose;
and who have no apparent patterns of departure/arrival that are
consistent with commuting to work or school.

"If there is a smell of chemicals (particularly like ammonia or
acetone) coming from the above site, call it in immediately! They may
be cooking up explosives.

"A similar group that is interested in renting (especially for cash)
office space or an apartment, yet seem to perform no apparent function
with it.

"People who are in possession of large amounts of cash for no apparent
reason.

"People who attempt to purchase or lease vehicles or boats with cash,
and who seem evasive about the paperwork."

Riding the London Underground

"Regarding suicide attackers, in a January 2004 handout to Law
Enforcement Agencies, the US Department of Homeland Security advised
readers to look out for certain indicators. These included:

"A shaved head or short haircut. A short haircut or recently shaved
beard or moustache may be evident by differences in skin complexion on
the head or face.

"May smell of herbal or flower water, as they may have sprayed perfume
on themselves and clothing to prepare for Paradise.

"Suspects have been seen praying fervently, giving the appearance of
whispering to someone. Recent suicide bombers have raised their hands
in the air just before the explosion to prevent the destruction of
their fingerprints. They have also placed identity cards in their shoes
because they want to be praised and recognized as martyrs.

"Additionally, bulky clothing, which may be inappropriate for the
weather and circumstances, can conceal a vest bomb (though many have
used backpacks instead of vest bombs, particularly in the summer).

"Moreover, male suicide bombers have often worn multiple sets of
underwear (as many as ten in some cases) and a protective cup over
their genitalia to protect these organs in anticipation of the 72
Virgins they believe will be accorded a "Martyr" in the afterlife, an
odd fit to the pants may be another indicator."

So now you know some of what you should be paying attention to. So now,
what do you do if you find someone or something that set off your
'vigilance alarm'?

First, do not hesitate to contact your local police. Remember, you are
on the front lines of a possible attack, you have to be both vigilant,
and ready to take action reporting what you have seen, the police can't
be everywhere.

You should make sure that you are clear in any reports that you make to
police. Take notes, and "share your suspicions but emphasize the
reasons why they arose in the first place. Record your observations as
quickly as possible, while your impressions are still fresh."

It is worth repeating, that you should leave the police work to the
police. Once you have made your suspicions known, your role is
complete, unless the authorities contact you. You are not trained as a
law enforcement officer, and you are not a vigilante either. You must
step back, you might make any possible terrorists suspicious of you.
You could tip them off that they have been observed. Let the local law
enforcement do the job that they are trained in.