Report suspicious behavior, activity Published Sept. 8, 2011 By Thomas Rudd Joint Base Lewis-McChord Antiterrorism Officer JOINT BASE LEWIS-MCCHORD, Wash. -- To be as helpful as possible when calling in suspicious activity, it is essential to provide accurate reports to law enforcement. The following guidelines, suggestions, and the type of detail you will need to supply will help you understand what 911 operators, law enforcement officers, or security personnel responding to your call of suspicious activity need. Keep in mind, if you report over the phone or by e-mail, the responding officer who contacts you might only have the information you gave at the time of your call or e-mail. Providing an accurate report There are two key elements in giving a good report: · Accuracy · Timeliness Accuracy means reporting what you saw, and nothing more. Do not add juicy "might have happened" to make the situation sound more important. However, it is appropriate to include the reason the activity seemed suspicious, even if it's simply, "It wasn't normal." Timeliness means that after a certain period of time, the suspicious situation will change, people will leave, or possibly alter their appearance. It's very important to report anything suspicious immediately after you observed it happening. What to report It is important for the responding officer to quickly spot the suspicious person or activity. You can help by providing details and creating a "word picture." Changeable details such as activity are important, but may not be the same once the officer arrives. Permanent details are very important, because they are difficult to change quickly. · When reporting a person, include: hair color, facial hair (beard, goatee, mustache), race, age, sex, size, scars, tattoos, disabilities · When reporting a vehicle, include: make, model, color, body damage, bumper stickers , accessories, license plate number · Practice developing descriptions of vehicles you see on your commute or people you encounter in your everyday activities. The more you practice, the better your observation skills will become and the better you will do when nervous or excited. · To review the main points to remember when reporting suspicious activity: Never endanger yourself, never confront suspicious activity, tell just what you saw, tell why it is suspicious and write it all down after you report it. Whom to call · Emergency: Call your local emergency number, usually 911. If you think a life is in danger or a serious crime is about to be committed, call 911. · Non-Emergency: If it is not an emergency, but you think that the person or situation should be investigated, do not tie up the 911 emergency number. Most local police departments, and all state police barracks and 911 centers have non-emergency numbers. Take the time now to look it up and record it in a handy place. Behaviors that should be reported: 1. Advocating violence, the threat of violence, or the use of force to achieve goals that are political, religious, or ideological in nature. 2. Advocating support for international terrorist organizations or objectives. 3. Providing financial or other material support to a terrorist organization or to someone suspected of being a terrorist. 4. Association with or connections to known or suspected terrorists. 5. Repeated expressions of hatred and intolerance of American society, culture, government, or the principles of the U.S. constitution. 6. Repeated browsing or visiting Internet Web sites that promote or advocate violence directed against the United States or U.S. forces, or that promote international terrorism or terrorist themes without official sanction in the performance of duty. 7. Expressing an obligation to engage in violence in support of international terrorism or inciting others to do the same. 8. Purchasing bomb making materials or obtaining information about the construction of explosives. 9. Active attempts to encourage others to violate laws, disobey lawful orders or regulations, or disrupt military activities. 10. Familial ties to known or suspected international terrorists or terrorist supporters.