How to Detect and Report Suspicious Behavior: A Community Guide

News | Back to all news

Jan. 3, 2025 | by: Solaren Risk Management

How to Detect and Report Suspicious Behavior: A Community Guide (If You See Something, Say Something)

In light of the recent incidents in Las Vegas and New Orleans, Solaren Risk Management wants to share a community guide emphasizing the importance of recognizing suspicious activity. Most people are familiar with the “See Something, Say Something” campaign distributed by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), which is a great resource for information on what to keep an eye out for each day. This is not an exclusive safety practice for law enforcement or security; any member of the community can play a part in maintaining the safety of everyone.

What Is Suspicious Activity?

The best place to start is by defining what “suspicious activity” really means if we are going to successfully observe it. According to the DHS, suspicious activity is “any observed behavior that may indicate pre-operational planning associated with terrorism or terrorism-related crime.”

In simpler terms, suspicious activity refers to behaviors that seem unusual or out of place and may indicate potential threats. It’s important to note that race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, disability, or gender identity are not suspicious. Civil rights and civil liberties should not be diminished in the practice of safety and security. This ensures that security practices remain fair and do not unfairly target individuals based on personal characteristics.

Common Signs of Suspicious Activity

Some common signs of suspicious activity include:

• Expressed or implied threats
• Observation or surveillance
• Photography of sensitive areas
• Theft, loss, or diversion of materials
• Testing or probing security measures
• Unusual aviation activity
• Breach or attempted intrusion
• Misrepresentation, such as using fake IDs
• Eliciting information beyond normal curiosity
• Acquisition of expertise for unusual purposes
• Cyberattacks
• Recruiting or financing for suspicious causes
• Sabotage, tampering, or vandalism
• Materials acquisition or storage
• Weapons collection or storage
• Sector-specific incidents (e.g., targeting utilities, transportation, or other critical infrastructure)

These signs may not constitute suspicious activity on their own unless conducted in a manner that arouses serious suspicion of terrorist activities. These behaviors may occur individually or in combination, so it’s important to observe and note all signs present.

What to Do If You Observe Suspicious Activity

If you observe suspicious activity, follow these steps:

1. Ensure you are truly observing suspicious behavior: Avoid making assumptions or acting on biases. Focus on behaviors that seem unusual or out of place.
2. Stay calm and avoid direct engagement: For your safety, do not confront the individual directly.
3. Report to the nearest authority: Notify local police, security personnel, or a community watch group if available.
4. Call 911 in urgent situations: If no authority is available or the situation appears to pose an immediate threat, contact emergency services. Trained professionals will respond appropriately.
5. Document what you observe: Take note of key details such as the time, location, behavior, and physical description of the person(s) involved.

Resources for Further Action

There are training courses available through the DHS for Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR), tailored to various industries. These resources can help you better understand how to identify and report suspicious behavior effectively. To learn more, visit the SAR Training Courses page.

By educating yourself and staying vigilant, you can help create a safer community for everyone.

Conclusion

Recognizing and reporting suspicious activity is a responsibility we all share. By staying alert and informed, we can protect our communities and prevent potential threats. Visit the DHS SAR training page to learn more or reach out to Solaren Risk Management for expert guidance on community safety.

Together, we can create a safer environment for everyone. Contact us today, to experience our commitment to safety!

“We are safety aware because we care”