Terrorism Watch
New iWatch Program Started
Los Angeles
police Chief William Bratton has come up with an
extension of our normal neighborhood watch programs
in order to educate people about terrorism and
terrorist acts that could be enacted upon the people
of this nation. He has created a program that
educates people about the types of terrorist
activities that should be reported to local/state
law enforcement for investigation.
The iWatch
terrorist watch program allows citizens to report
suspicious activities via phone or through the
website. The particular activities that iWatch
advises us to be wary of consist of the following 9
activities.
1. People
measuring or drawing important buildings such as
government offices and schools.
2.
Strangers asking questions about security or
building security measures.
3. A
briefcase, suitcase, or package left behind by
someone.
4.
Vehicles left in a "No Parking" zone in front of
important buildings.
5.
Intruders in secure areas where they are not
supposed to be.
6. Person
wearing clothes too big or too heavy for the weather
7.
Chemical smells or fumes that worry you
8. People
asking questions about sensitive information such as
building blueprints, security plans or VIP travel
schedules without a right or need to know.
9. Person
or persons purchasing supplies and/or equipment that
can be used to make bombs or weapons or purchasing
uniforms without proper credentials.
The above
behaviors should be reported especially if they
occur in any of the following places.
1.
Government buildings
2.
Religious facilities
3.
Amusement parks
4.
Sports/entertainment facilities
5.
High-rise buildings
6.
Mass-gathering locations such as parades and fairs
7.
Schools
8. Hotels
9.
Theaters
10.
Shopping malls
11.
Bridges
12.
Public transportation
The above
information is given in brochures, tv ads, on their
website and in any information gathering they have.
The iWatch program is an educational program for all
so that we can be ready to report anything that may
be terrorist in activity.
Many people
oppose a terrorism watch for fears of stereotyping
and conditioning being main reasons people are
usually reported. In fact, this program is
meant to break down the barriers of racial/social
conditioning and stereotyping and focuses on those
points that are truly suspicious. Los Angeles
has made great strides with terrorism watches and
how the reports are handled.
This could very
well lead to more of these types of programs being
formed all over the nation. By educating our
citizens about what to look for, we take a step in
eliminating terrorism from hitting our communities so
close to us as on September 11th, 2001.
