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Operation SAFEGUARD

New York State law enforcement is reaching out to businesses, industries and schools with a program called Operation SAFEGUARD.   The program is based on the idea that the aforementioned may be unknowingly exploited by terrorists.  The New State Office of Homeland Security  has issued the following examples and general indicators of potential terrorist planning or activities.    

• Physical surveillance that may include note taking or the use of binoculars, cameras or maps near school locations.
• Attempts to gain information of school populations, individual students, dismissal times, the school calendar, security personnel or strategies, school bus routes, or school bus information through personal contact, by telephone, mail or e-mail.
• Attempts to penetrate or test physical security and response procedures at school locations.
• Suspicious or improper attempts to acquire official vehicles, access cards or identification.
• The presence of individuals who do not appear to belong in the workplace, business establishment or school locations.
• Behavior that appears to denote planning for terrorist activity, such as mapping out routes, playing out scenarios, monitoring school locations, dismissal times and protocols or school bus routes. 

 The following examples of activity relating to Elementary, Middle and High Schools, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

•  Unusual inquiries from strangers regarding school hours (i.e., arrival and dismissal times), pupil attendance or population (i.e., ethnic or religious composition of the student body), the presence of security measures in place (or lack thereof), etc.  Also, inappropriate queries made by individuals who do not appear to be interested in registering their children.
   

• Reports of individual(s) videotaping or photographing the school building or making observations of the activity relating to school functions.
   

• Individuals found in areas restricted to employees only or not open to the general public.
   

• Suspicious behavior by an individual attempting to enter your school while wearing bulky clothing that appears inappropriate. May be compounded by the subject being alone or while acting excessively nervous and/or perspiring.
   

• Alarming or unusual statements made by a student regarding an approaching date.
   

• The parking of a suspicious vehicle in the school’s parking lot or in proximity to the school building, particularly for an extended period of time.
   

• The loss or theft of any chemicals or hazardous substances located in school laboratories. 
   

• The discovery of an unattended package or object inside or around the premise of the school.
   

• The discovery of new marks or noticeable force of entry onto a school bus or unusual foreign item(s) attached to the bus.
   

• Registration of children into schools without necessary documentation (i.e., birth certificates or immunization records) or with documentation that does not match the individual or does not appear authentic or has been altered.

Only approach or question a suspicious person if you feel comfortable. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened, seek assistance.  Ask the person questions such as:

• May I help you with anything?

• May I see some identification?

• Who are you visiting?

• is the purpose of your visit?

If the person refuses to answer or respond to your questions or does not answer the question to your satisfaction, attempt o escort them to a public area and notify your supervisor or manager.   Avoid detaining or getting physical with the suspect.   Make sure to note individual’s original location. Focus on their behavior and physical characteristics and keep them in your sight until law enforcement arrives.

Your impressions and assessment based upon your professional experience are extremely valuable and should help guide you in determining if a customer request, a fact pattern or set of circumstances is unusual.  Please remember that the conduct itself does not have to be criminal per se for you to report it to the NY State Toll-Free Tips line. It may be contacted 24-hours a day, seven days a week by calling: 1-866-SAFE-NYS.

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