Public Safety Tips and Prevention
National Terrorism Advisory System
Public Safety Announcement
From the Office of the Chief of Police
We need citizens to remain vigilant and to report suspicious behavior or suspicious activity that might be related to terrorism. Everyone has a keen sense that tells us when something we observe is out of the ordinary. Since September 11th, we no longer can ignore the possible warning signs of terrorism, or assuming that someone else will take care of reporting it.
Any citizen who observes or suspects behavior that might be related to an act of terrorism should immediately contact the Georgetown Police Department, the Massachusetts State Police, or the Federal Bureau of Investigation.
Tips on Preventing Terrorist Attacks
- Be aware of your surroundings at all times:
- As you go about your daily business, take note of your surroundings. This will help you to learn the routines of your community. Understanding these routines will help you spot anything out of place.
- As you go about your daily business, take note of your surroundings. This will help you to learn the routines of your community. Understanding these routines will help you spot anything out of place.
- Be extra vigilant in the area of potential targets:
- Terrorists are known to conduct surveillance of potential targets. They seek to gain as much information as possible before attempting an attack. Potential targets may include shopping malls, historic monuments, and sporting events.
- Terrorists are known to conduct surveillance of potential targets. They seek to gain as much information as possible before attempting an attack. Potential targets may include shopping malls, historic monuments, and sporting events.
- Avoid Stereotyping:
- When looking for suspicious activities, avoid stereotyping individuals based on race, religion, gender, and other classifications. Too often, people allow biases and prejudices to influence the way they perceive others. Terrorists often attempt to blend in with their surrounding environment and may be overlooked.
- When looking for suspicious activities, avoid stereotyping individuals based on race, religion, gender, and other classifications. Too often, people allow biases and prejudices to influence the way they perceive others. Terrorists often attempt to blend in with their surrounding environment and may be overlooked.
- Always take what you hear seriously:
- If you hear or know of something who has bragged or talked about plans to harm citizens in a violent attack or claims membership in a terrorist organization, take it seriously and report it to law enforcement immediately.
- If you hear or know of something who has bragged or talked about plans to harm citizens in a violent attack or claims membership in a terrorist organization, take it seriously and report it to law enforcement immediately.
- Reporting Suspicious Activity:
- If you detect what you believe to be surveillance or other suspicious activity, report it immediately to law enforcement.
- The person(s) involved: When describing someone's characteristics, it is always best to start from the top to bottom, head to toe.
- The vehicle(s) involved: Try to obtain the make, model, and color, and if possible, record the license plate including the issuing state.
- Recording the information: In trying to remember what you observed, it is best to record the information as soon as possible. You may want to jot the information down on a piece of paper or anything available. Immediately report all information to law enforcement and call 911 as soon as possible.
- If you detect what you believe to be surveillance or other suspicious activity, report it immediately to law enforcement.