Sept. 11, 2001 and Dec. 7, 1941 both triggered civilian focus on suspicious behaviors of neighbors and strangers—especially aliens.
But the wary watchfulness was unregulated, unorchestrated, unprofessional. Law-enforcement agencies then—as now—were inundated by tips and allegations—mostly unfounded.
That informal spontaneity would change under the U.S. Justice Dept.’s proposed nationwide program, Operation TIPS (Terrorist Information and Protection System), part of the Homeland Security package now being considered by Congress.
TIPS would actively recruit and train volunteer informants to routinely report suspicious or unusual behaviors of citizens, aliens and tourists.
Do we really need training to report that the next-door neighbor is loading huge amounts of ammonium nitrate and diesel fuel into a rented truck?
Tip over the TIPS program. (4 AUGUST 2002)
