See Something, Report Something
Reporting Suspicious Activities
Your assistance is critical to aiding law enforcement and public safety officials who are working to keep New Mexico, your local community and our country safe. No one knows what goes on in your neighborhood better than you. You may see things or hear things that seem out of the ordinary and may indicate suspicious or illegal conduct. Law enforcement officials in New Mexico often rely on the instincts and perceptions of citizens to detect activity that is out of the ordinary. Always remember: your safety comes first. Never attempt to make contact with, pursue, or in any other way interfere with an individual or group of individuals whom you think are acting suspiciously. Call 911 immediately to report situations requiring an immediate response from law enforcement.
Warning Signs and What you Can Do
Persons typically do not just “snap” but display indicators of potentially violent behavior over time. If these behaviors are recognized, they can often be managed and treated.
This list, developed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, contains behaviors that a person may exhibit that could indicate a need for help. (Note: this list is not comprehensive, nor is it intended as a mechanism for diagnosing violent tendencies; please consult a licensed professional and law enforcement for further assistance).
- Unexplained increase in absenteeism; vague physical complaints
- Noticeable decrease in attention to appearance and hygiene
- Depression/withdrawal
- Resistance and overreaction to changes in policy and procedures or upon explanation of policy and procedures
- Repeated violations of site/company policies
- Increased, severe mood swings
- Noticeably unstable, emotional responses
- Explosive outbursts of anger or rage without provocation
- Suicidal discussions
- Comments about “putting things in order” or “making things right”
- Behavior typical of paranoia, (“Everybody is against me”)
- Increasingly talks of problems at home
- Escalation of domestic problems into the workplace/public sphere; talk of severe financial problems
- Talk of previous incidents of violence
- Empathy with individuals committing violence
- Increase in unsolicited comments about weapons and violent crimes
You are the first line of defense
If you witness these behaviors in one of your co-workers, patrons, or guests and are concerned about their well-being, consider discussing the problem with them, if possible, and others in a manner that might allow them to find solutions. If there appears to be many of these signs and warnings, consider contacting law enforcement.
In an emergency, always call 9-1-1 or contact local law enforcement.
Descriptions of Suspicious Activities
Surveillance
Recording or monitoring activities that may include the use of cameras, note-taking, drawing diagrams or maps.
Tests of Security
Attempts to measure reaction times to security, penetrate physical security barriers, monitor procedures, or assess security.
Supply Acquisition
The purchasing or stealing of explosives, weapons, ammunition, etc. It may include acquiring uniforms, decals, flight manuals, passes, badges, etc.
Elicitation
Attempting to gain information about operations, infrastructure, or people by mail, email, phone, or in person.
Rehearsal
The placement and movement of people according to a plan without actually committing the terrorist act.
Deployment
People and supplies placed into position for the commission of an act.
Suspicious Person Out of Place
People who don’t seem to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, or in a particular building or area.
Funding
Suspicious transactions involving large cash payments, deposits, or withdrawals are common signs illegal activity.
Breach / Attempted Intrusion
Unauthorized personnel attempting to enter or actually entering a restricted area or protected site. This activity may include the impersonation of authorized personnel such as police, security, or janitorial service members.
Misrepresentation
Presenting false documents, insignias, and/or identification to misrepresent one’s affiliation to cover possible illicit activity.
Theft / Loss / Diversion
Stealing or diverting something associated with a facility/infrastructure such as badges, uniforms, identification, emergency vehicles, technology, or documents which are proprietary to the facility.
Sabotage / Tampering / Vandalism
Damaging, manipulating, or defacing part of a facility/infrastructure or protected site.
Cyber-Attack / Terrorism
Compromising or attempting to compromise or disrupt an organization’s information technology infrastructure.
Expressed or Implied Threat
Making a spoken or written threat to damage or compromise a facility/infrastructure.
Aviation Activity
Operation of an aircraft in a manner that reasonably may be interpreted as suspicious or posing a threat to people or property. The activity may or may not be in violation of federal aviation regulations.
Please provide description of suspicious individuals to include:
- Hair color
- Hair length
- Absence or presence of facial hair, and if present, facial hair color
- Eye color
- Approximate age
- Approximate height
- Approximate weight
- Distinguishing characteristics, such as visible scars, tattoos, piercings or deformities
- Clothing, including pants/shorts/skirt/dress, shirt sleeve length, presence of coat/jacket, wearing/not wearing hat or glasses, color of all articles of clothing
Please provide description of suspicious vehicles to include:
- License plate number and state
- Vehicle make/model
- Approximate year of vehicle
- Vehicle color
- Number of doors on vehicle
- Any visible bumper stickers or window stickers, including their size, color, placement and content
- Any visible damage to vehicle, such as paint damage, body damage, broken/missing glass, damaged or non-working head or tail light
Details matter.
The more you observe, the more helpful your information will be, however all information is important. Even if you do not have complete details, please provide the information you do have.
Watch this US Department of Homeland Security to report suspicious activity.