Hoosiers Encouraged to Report Suspicious Activity at Summer Events

Last updated on Friday, July 3, 2015

(UNDATED) - With summer events in full swing and recent national reports of security concerns regarding U.S. Independence Day celebrations, the Indiana State Police and the Indiana Department of Homeland Security are reminding Hoosiers to watch for suspicious activity and report it.

The slogan "If You See Something, Say Something," encourages citizens to report suspicious activity and to not hesitate or feel self-conscious about doing so.

"We continue to encourage all citizens to celebrate the holiday as they normally would," says IDHS Executive Director David Kane. "Independence Day is rich in tradition in Indiana. We are, however, reminding Hoosiers to stay aware of their surroundings and report suspicious activity. Citizens' awareness is one of the best defenses against those who would seek to do us harm."

ISP Superintendent Doug Carter, said, "Each person's input is critical to preventing situations that may produce violence or property damage that could affect the public or public service providers. Do not hesitate to report anything unusual or out of the ordinary."

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate the potential for criminal or terrorist activity. This includes, but is not limited to:

Unusual items or situations - an unattended package, a vehicle parked in an odd location, an individual who is overdressed for the weather or a strong odor coming from a building or vehicle;

Eliciting information - a person asking questions beyond curiosity about a building's purpose, operations or security procedures;

Surveillance - someone paying unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation, prolonged observation of a building (e.g., with binoculars or a camera) or taking notes on floor plans.

Some of these activities could be innocent, but it's up to law enforcement to determine whether the behavior warrants further action.

When reporting suspicious behavior, describe several key details, including:

Who or what was observed;

When and where the behavior was witnessed;

Why the activity is believed to be suspicious;

Descriptions of individuals involved such as gender, age, physical attributes and unique characteristics;

Any equipment, including vehicles (make, model and color) or weapons.

To report suspicious activity, contact on-site security, local law enforcement's non-emergency line or the Indiana Intelligence Fusion Center at 1-877-226-1026. If violence is imminent, call 9-1-1.

For more information, please visit GetPrepared.in.gov.

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