Suspicious Activity and Mail
(CNN) -- U.S. Attorney General John Ashcroft has told Americans to keep alert in the aftermath of the September 11 terrorist attacks and report anything suspicious to law enforcement agencies, with a "heightened sense of awareness."
But a definition of suspicious behavior is difficult to establish, because there is no "cookie-cutter" behavior for terrorist activity, said Thomas Sweeney, co-chair of the private sector liaison committee for the International Association of Chiefs of Police, a group exploring the boundaries between private security and law enforcement, in order to improve security on both sides.
However, there are several things to look for, added Sweeney, who is also the police chief in Glastonbury, Connecticut. It's better to spot things at the level of suspicion, before they become an incident, he said.
Be sensitive to your environment.
Watch for:
1. Someone attempting to gain access to something
they shouldn't have or somewhere they don't belong.
Examples include getting near chemicals, vehicles or buildings without proper
credentials, Sweeney said.
2. Strange or frequent comings or goings
3. Someone carrying a weapon
People should already be notifying police if they notice unauthorized people
carrying weapons or using them threateningly, Sweeney said.
4. Someone who appears to be concealing something or attempting to put something over on somebody
5. Clues on the job
Sweeney says some crime solving has come from tips by people at work -- for
example, film processing or computer-repair employees who noticed something out
of the ordinary.
6. Suspicious mail or packages (Read the tips below)
7. Watch for people conducting themselves in a
strange manner or making unusual requests
Example: The case of a student pilot interested only in learning how to steer a
plane, not take off or land. Sweeney said it might be something that strikes you
as not appropriate for whatever environment you're operating in, or something
that just seems abnormal.
If you notice something suspicious, call 911, or the local police department.
Police officers across the country are experiencing increased calls reporting incidents of suspicious people and packages, Sweeney said, which is exactly what he wants to see. "It's better to report than to speculate," he said. All police departments have the information to refer each type of incident to the appropriate agency.
The following steps about what to do if you suspect mail is contaminated with anthrax are provided courtesy of the United States Postal Service.
1. Do not handle the mail piece or package suspected of contamination
2. Notify your supervisor, who will immediately contact the Inspection Service, local police, safety office or designated person
3. Make sure that damaged or suspicious packages are isolated and the immediate areas are cordoned off
4. Ensure that all persons who have touched the mail piece wash their hands with soap and water
5. Call a postal inspector to report that you've
received a parcel in the mail that may contain biological or chemical
substances.
An inspector will collect the mail, assess the threat situation and
coordinate with the FBI
6. Designated officials will notify local, county and state health departments
7. Designated officials will notify the state emergency manager
8. List all persons who have touched the letter
and/or envelope.
Include contact information. Provide the list to the postal inspector
9. Place all items worn when in contact with the suspected mail piece in plastic bags and have them available for law enforcement agents
10. As soon as practical, shower with soap and water
11. If prescribed medication by medical personnel, take it until otherwise instructed or it runs out
12. Call the Center for Disease Control Emergency Response at (770) 488-7100 for answers to any questions.