FOUR RULES TO AVOID TERRORISM
LEARN ABOUT Installation and units offer
POTENTIAL THREAT Antiterrorism personal protection training. The INTERNET, papers, magazines, and your unit/installation AT/FP advisors are good sources.
KEEP A LOW PROFILE Avoid activities that bring attention to yourself. Make an effort to blend into the local environment an avoid civil disturbances and/or demonstrations.
BE UNPREDICTABLE Vary your behavior. Take difference routes to and from work, school and play, and vary the time you return home. Do activities on different days and at varied times.
REMAIN VIGILANT Always be alert and suspicious about people and activities around you. WATCH AND LISTEN. Report suspicious behavior to the Security/Intelligence Office or other designee.
TERRORISM AND TERRORISTS
What is terrorism and who are terrorists? The Department of Defense defines terrorism as the calculated use of violence to create fear; intended to coerce or try to intimidate governments or societies in the pursuit of goals that are generally political, religious, or ideological. When sensationalized by media coverage, acts of terrorism have caused many of us to become fearful of overseas travel.
Terrorists tend to be dedicated people who believe they are participants in a dynamic social or political process. These people typically cannot achieve the changes they desire through the normal political process and inevitably resort to violence. The common purpose of terrorists to commit acts of violence that draw the attention of the people, the government, and the world to their cause.
Events have show that terrorists have reached new levels of organization, sophistication, and violence. They plan their threat or attack to obtain the greatest publicity, generally choosing targets that symbolize what they oppose. Their operations are planned and implemented with considerable expertise. They seek to exploit the targets vulnerabilities and minimize their own risk. The violence they practice is calculated and rational. They attempt to generate fear among the people, induce a general loss of confidence in government, and provoke the authorities to adopt repressive measures causing greater disruption within society.
If all of this sounds disturbing, it is! But there are measures you can take to significantly improve your chances of avoiding an encounter with terrorism if you practice the four basic rules:
● LEARN ABOUT POTENTIAL THREATS
● KEEP A LOW PROFILE
● BE UNPREDICTABLE
● REMAIN VIGILANT-WATCH AND LISTEN
CRIME PREVENTION AND TERRORISM
● The threat of terrorism may seem overwhelming but the general measures you would take in a simple, personal crime prevention program apply to the terrorist situation as well.
● Learn about your destination – the culture, language, local customs, history of criminal activity, and local laws. You can obtain this information from the INTERNET, local libraries, travel agents, tourist offices, other people familiar with the area, etc.
● Once you arrive, become familiar with your environment. Know what is normal in order to detect the unusual.
● Consult your local law enforcement office on how to best protect your home, your car, and your family unusual.
● Crime Prevention is the cornerstone of a personal security program. By participating in crime watch programs, reporting suspicious activities, and other such programs you can lessen the likelihood of a terrorist act affecting you. Development of good security and antiterrorism habits are the key to personal safety.
● Don’t leave your crime prevention attitude at home. When you are traveling, remain cautious and alert, practice crime prevention, and continually reinforce what you have learned.
● Since it is impossible to protect all possible terrorist targets, self protection and effective crime prevention procedures will determine the overall effectiveness of this aspect of an Antiterrorism Program.
● It is important to maintain your personal affairs. An up-to-date will, power of attorney, and other legal measures can make it easier for family member to complete necessary actions, if you become involved in a terrorist incident.
HOUSE, HOME, AND FAMILY
Familiarize your family with the local terrorist threat and necessary protective measures and techniques in this pamphlet. Review these measures regularly to insure everyone in the family knows what to do in an emergency.
SUSPICIOUS PACKAGES OR MAIL
● Suspicious characteristics to look for include:
◦ An unusual/ unknown place of origin.
◦ Foreign mail, air mail, and special delivery.
◦ Hand written or poorly typed addresses.
◦ Incorrect titles but no names.
◦ No return address or excessive amount of postage.
◦ Restrictive Markings such as Confidential/Personal, etc.
◦ Abnormal/unusual size, Rigid, lopsided (characteristic of a bomb in a package).
◦ Wires or strings protruding or attached to an item.
◦ Incorrect spellings on label (esp. common words).
◦ Differing or no return address and postmark.
.Appearance of unusual hand writing.
◦ Peculiar odor (Many explosives used by terrorist smell like shoe polish or almonds).
◦ Balance, shape excessive weight
◦ Excessive securing material such as masking tape.
PRECAUTIONS
Be very careful accepting mail, especially Package, at home in foreign country.
Make sure family members and clerical staff know to refuse all unexpected mail at home or office.
Remember: It may be a bomb, treat it as suspect.
PRECAUTIONS
1. Never accept mail, especially packages at your home on a foreign area.
2. Make sure your family members and clerical staff know to refuse all unexpected mail at home or office.
3. Remember - It May Be A Bomb – Treat it as suspect.
◦ Never cut tape, strings, or other wrappings on a suspected package. Never immerse a suspected letter or package in water. Either of these actions causes an explosive device to detonate.
◦ Never touch or move a suspicious package or letter.
◦ Report any suspicious packages or mail to security officials immediately.
SECURITY PRECAUTIONS WHEN YOU ARE AWAY
◦ Leave house with “lived in” look; Stop deliveries or direct to a neighbor’s house; Don’t leave notes on doors.
◦ Don’t hide keys outside house; Hide valuables.
◦ Use timer to turn lights on / off at varying times and locations.
◦ Notify the police or a trusted neighbor of your absence.
RESIDENTIAL SECURITY
Consider the following features when selecting or evaluating the security of your residence:
● Exterior grounds:
◦ Have good lighting.
◦ Control vegetation to eliminate hiding places.
● Entrances and exits:
◦ Solid doors with deadbolt locks; one-way peepholes in doors. Bars and locks on skylights;
◦ Metal grating on glass doors and ground floor windows, with interior release mechanisms that are not reachable from outside.
● Interior features:
◦ Alarm and intercom systems
◦ Fire extinguisher
◦ Medical and first-aid equipment.
● Other desirable features:
◦ A clear view of approaches.
◦ More than one access road; Off Street parking.
◦ High perimeter fence (6-8 feet), capped with barbed wire to prevent someone from climbing over it.
● Remove all signs from the outside of your residence referencing rank, name, title, etc.
● Destroy all envelopes and other items that reflect personal information.
● Do not put spare keys in insecure places such as mailboxes, under door mats, etc.
GROUND TRANSPORTATION SECURITY
Criminal and terrorist acts against individuals usually occur outside the home and after the individuals? Habits have been established. Your most predictable habit is the route of travel from home to commonly visited places.
TIPS FOR THE FAMILY AT HOME
● Restrict the possession of house keys. Change locks when locks have been compromised. (i.e., moving in, loss of a key)
● Always lock all entrances, including the garage.
● Develop friendly relationship with neighbors.
BE SUSPICIOUS
● Be alert to unknown person requesting access to residence.
● Refuse unordered packages.
● Be suspicious of inquiries about the whereabouts of other family members.
● Report all suspicious activity to the security personnel (i.e., local police, MP’s, military/national intelligence personnel, guards, etc.) with as much descriptive information as possible.
TELEPHONE SECURITY
● Post emergency numbers near the telephone:
● Security Police, Master at Arms, Provost Marshall
● Local Police
● Fire Department
● Hospital
● Report all threatening phone calls, interruptions or strange noises over telephone lines to security personnel.
WHEN GOING OUT
● Travel in groups and avoid high risk areas. Vary commuting to be unpredictable.
● Try to be inconspicuous using public transportation/ facilities.
● Dress, conduct, and mannerisms should not attract attention.
● Avoid controversial meeting places, visit only reputable establishments.
● Don’t discuss personal matters such as travel plans or job with people you don’t know.
● Create the appearance that the house is occupied by using timers to control lights and radios while you are away.
SPEACIAL PRECAUTIONS FOR CHILDREN
● NEVER LEAVE YOUNG CHILDREN UNATTENDED.
● KNOW WHERE YOUR CHILDREN ARE AT ALL TIMES; MORNING – NOON - NIGHT.
● instruct children to keep doors and windows locked, and never to admit strangers.
● Teach children how to contact police, medical personnel, neighbor, or other security person, in an emergency.
● Conduct drills (much like fire drill) to inform children on what to do/where to go, if a terrorist incident happens at home.
● Advice your children to:
◦ Never give out personal information over the telephone, (i.e., Dad or Mom’s work place /work telephone number).
◦ Never leave home without telling their parents where they will be who will accompany them.
◦ Travel in pairs or groups avoid isolated areas.
◦ Use facilities where police protection is readily available.
◦ Refuse rides from strangers and refuse to accompany strangers, even if the strangers say mom or dad sent them, or say mom or dad said it is OK.
◦ Immediately report to the nearest person of authority (teacher, police. etc.) anyone who attempts to molest or annoy children.
DOMESTIC EMPLOYEES
● Conduct a security background check with local police, neighbors, and friends.
● Inform employees about security responsibilities.
● Instruct employees how to communicate with and contact authorities during an emergency.
VIHICLES
● Select a plain car; minimize the “rich” American look.
● Safeguard Keys.
● Auto Maintenance:
◦ Keep vehicle in good repair.
◦ Keep gas tank at least half full at all times.
◦ Ensure tires have sufficient tread.
PARKING
● Park in well lighted areas.
● Always lock your car, even when it is outside your residence.
● If at all possible, don’t? leave your car on the street overnight.
● Never get out of your car without checking for suspicious persons, if in doubt – drive away.
● Leave only your ignition key with parking attendant.
● Never leave garage doors open or unlocked.
● Use a remote garage door opener if available. Enter and exit your car in the security of the closed garage.
ON THE ROAD
● Before leaving buildings to get into your vehicles, check the surrounding area to determine if anything looks suspicious. Use the same wariness before getting out of your vehicle.
● Before entering vehicles, check for suspicious objects on the seats.
● Guard against establishing routines by varying times, routes, and modes of travel. Avoid late night travel.
● Travel with companions.
● Recognize events that could be the start a terrorist incident:
◦ Cyclist falling in front of you.
◦ Flagman or workman stopping your car in a unusual circumstance.
◦ Unusual detours.
◦ Cars or pedestrian traffic that box you in.
● What to do if under attack in a vehicles:
◦ Draw attention to your car by sounding the horn.
◦ Go to the nearest safe haven.
◦ Put another vehicle between you and your pursuer.
◦ If necessary, ram a vehicle which blocks your passage way.
● Report any incidents to the nearest security personnel or law enforcement agency.
● When using commercial transportation:
◦ Don’t always use the same taxi company.
◦ Check to see the taxi is licensed.
◦ Don’t let an unknown person select your cab for you.
◦ Ensure the cab driver matches the picture on his / her license.
AIR TRAVEL
Air travel creates certain security problems but some simple precautions reduce the hazards of a terrorist assault.
MAKING TRAVEL ARRANGEMENTS
● Receive a terrorist threat briefing when traveling to a high risk area. See your installation or unit antiterrorism advisor for additional guidance and information.
● Avoid scheduling through high risk areas, such as high risk airports.
● Try to use hotels that have a reputation for safety.
PERSONAL IDENTIFICATION
● Don’t discuss your military affiliation with anyone.
● Carry proper identification; consider using a tourist passport.
● If you must carry your military identification, select a hiding place to ditch sensitive materials in case of hijacking.
LUGGAGE
● Use plain civilian luggage.
● Remove all military patches, logos, or decals from your luggage and briefcase.
CLOTHING
● Travel in conservative civilian clothing; don’t wear distinct military items.
● Don’t wear us identification items such as cowboy hats, baseball hats, or American logo t-shirts.
PRECAUTIONS AT THE AIRPORT
● Arrive early and watch for suspicious activity.
● Look for nervous passengers who maintain eye contact with others from a distance.
● Observe items people are carrying; don’t linger near open public areas.
● Be aware of unattended baggage anywhere in the terminal.
● Report suspicious activity to airport security personnel.
ACTIONS IF ATTACKED
● Dive for cover – do not run. Running draws attention and increases the likelihood of being hit by gunshot or debris. To move use the belly crawls or rolls technique to stay low.
● If you see a grenade lay flat on the floor. Shrapnel from a grenade will rise in a cone shape from point of detonation.
● Remember responding security personnel will not be able to recognize you from attackers. Do not attempt to assist then in any way. Just lay still until told to get up.
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