Make Safety a Priority This Summer

May is See Something, Say Something Month

SPRINGFIELD, IL – This month the Illinois Emergency Management Agency is launching See Something, Say Something Month as a way to remind Illinoisans of the important role they play in ensuring the safety of our neighborhoods, community and state.  By being alert and reporting suspicious activity to your local law enforcement, you can protect your family, neighbors, and community.

‘See Something, Say Something’ is a national campaign that raises public awareness of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.  Homeland Security begins at home, and there is no one better equipped to be the eyes and ears of law enforcement than those who live in America’s communities. 

“Whether you are on your way to work, walking in the park or out in your community, we all play a role in keeping our communities safe,” said IEMA Director Alicia Tate-Nadeau. “As we enter the summer months, we want to remind the public to remain vigilant, speak out if they notice something out of the ordinary and report suspicious activities in order to protect our cities and towns from unscrupulous acts of violence and terror.”  

Public safety is everyone’s responsibility.  Suspicious activities can happen anywhere and anytime.  While people should always be vigilant, no one should ever try to take matters into their own hands by confronting suspicious individuals.  Instead, people with information should call 9-1-1 or their local law enforcement officials. 

Suspicious behavior that may warrant reporting to law enforcement can include:

• Surveillance – trying to determine the strengths or weakness of a target by recording or monitoring activities, drawing diagrams, making notes on maps, watching activities with binoculars, etc.
  
  
• Inquiries – attempts to learn details about building operations, schedules and security at a site through phone calls, emails, personal conversations and other interactions.
  
  
• Tests of security – walking or driving into secure areas to determine security procedures.
  
  
• Acquiring supplies – purchasing weapons, explosives, hazardous chemicals and military-type equipment.
  
  
• Dry/trial runs – putting accomplices in position and running through the plan without actually implementing it.
  
  
• Deploying assets – putting people and supplies into position to commit a criminal activity.
  

For more information about “If You See Something, Say Something” and other preparedness topics, visit the Ready Illinois website at Ready Illinois Site.