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Eagle Eyes: be observant, report suspicious behavior

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Alexis Thelen
  • 375th Security Forces Squadron
SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. --  The Eagle Eyes program is an anti-terrorism initiative that informs the community on how to recognize possible terrorist activity and how to report suspicious behavior.  The program provides a network of local, 24-hour phone numbers to call whenever a suspicious activity is observed.  All information reported is evaluated by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations and potentially disseminated through a vast network of local and federal law enforcement information sharing systems.

The Eagle Eyes program has allowed law enforcement officials, with assistance from military and civilian members, to mitigate threats against Department of Defense installations and personnel. 

According to the 375th Security Force Squadron, while some Scott members already watch for and report suspicious people and activities, it takes everyone's involvement to assist with force protection.

Law enforcement relies on citizens' participation as a means of detection and deterrence. Everyone plays a vital role in detecting, deterring, and preventing acts of terrorism.  Eyes, ears, and sense of why something is unusual or out of place can prevent acts of terrorism.  After all, individuals are the experts on what activities do, or do not, belong in their neighborhood and community. 

Without help from the public, the initiative would not be able to thrive.  Everyone is encouraged to stay alert whether at home, work, or even while driving. People should always keep an Eagle Eye out for suspicious behaviors such as: 

· Surveillance: The act of someone recording or monitoring activities using camera equipment, taking notes, drawing maps or using binoculars or any other vision enhancement devices. 

· Elicitation: Anyone or any organization attempting to gain information about military operations or its personnel.

· Test of security: Any attempts to measure reaction times to security breaches or to penetrate physical security barriers.

· Acquiring Supplies: Purchasing or stealing weapons, explosives, uniforms, vehicle decals or DoD identification media. 

· Suspicious persons out of place: This could be an individual soliciting information about the military, your job in the military or the installation you belong to.  It could also be an individual sitting outside the base perimeter fence watching personnel enter and exit the installation. 

· Dry runs: Putting people in position and moving them about without actually committing the terrorist act.

· Deploying Assets: This would be the final behavior before the terrorist act. People and supplies are put in place to commit the terrorist act. This would also be your last chance to alert authorities before terrorism occurs.

For more information on the Eagle Eyes program or to report suspicious activity, visit www.osi.af.mil/eagleeyes or call the 375th Security Forces Squadron at 256-6000 or AFOSI at 256-5473.