MACDILL AIR FORCE BASE, Fla. -- We can't overstate the need to be aware of your surroundings and report suspicious activity. The world has encountered numerous terror attacks in recent months including recent bombings at churches in Egypt and vehicle-ramming attacks in Sweden, London, Berlin, and France.
Hitting closer to home, recent domestic attacks include the fatal shooting of a Denver transit authority guard, an active shooter attack at Fort Lauderdale Airport, a vehicle-ramming attack on students at Ohio State University, and the Orlando nightclub shooting... The list goes on.
As these incidents continue to occur, it becomes even more important to be observant of your surroundings.
Some behaviors to look out for that key in on possible criminal or terrorist activities include:
- Unusual interest in or attempts to gain sensitive information about security procedures, personnel, entry control points (MacDill gates).
- Discreet use of cameras, video recorders, or note-taking.
- Observation of/or questions about security surveillance assets.
- The presence of unattended backpacks, briefcases, suitcases and bags.
- A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle driving the same streets repeatedly.
- Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or an unoccupied residence.
These activities can happen anywhere and anytime. However, specific venues to pay attention to are commercial retail establishments, transportation venues (e.g. Dale Mabry), or other public gathering places. With your awareness and reporting, we are more able to stop criminal or terrorist activity as a community.
A few examples of recent reports that helped thwart terrorist activities include:
- A man faces charges for a synagogue bomb plot in South Florida.
- An Orange Park, Florida suspect arrested for distributing information related to explosives.
If you have information regarding criminal or suspicious activity, please contact your local law enforcement agency, installation security forces, or Office of Special Investigations immediately.
Emergency: 911
MacDill Security Forces: (813) 828-3323
MacDill OSI Eagle Eyes: (813) 828-4921