Eagle Eyes: Force Protection during holidays

  • Published
  • By 56th Security Forces Squadron
  • 56th Fighter Wing Public Affairs

 

An Antiterrorism Force Protection Guide to Keeping Your Airman and Guardian Community Safe

Holiday Security: Protecting Your Home & Digital Life During the Festive Season

Team the holiday season is here, bringing joy, family reunions, travel and making memories. However, this time also creates a favorable environment for cybercriminals, thieves, and fraudsters who may exploit any distractions associated with our celebrations to increase their efforts to compromise your security. As you and family members engage in gift shopping, attending festive parties, or planning a vacation, there are steps you can take to ensure your home and digital life remain secure.

Here’s a guide to help you stay safe this holiday season, both offline and online!

Home Security: Protecting Your Home Before Traveling

Ask a Neighbor to Keep an Eye Out: Request a trusted neighbor to monitor your property during your absence, assist in collecting your mail, or occasionally use your driveway for parking. Look out for one another!

Lock Windows and Doors: Ensure that all windows and doors are securely locked before leaving for any holiday trip. Consider adding additional security measures like deadbolts or sliding door locks.

Activate Your Security System: If you have a home security system, make sure it’s properly armed before leaving and inform your security company. If you don’t have one, consider installing a camera system, even a basic doorbell camera, to keep an eye on your property remotely.

Package Theft: Prevent Porch Piracy

Holiday shopping often means more packages are delivered to your door. Unfortunately, this is also a time when “porch pirates” (thieves who steal packages left on doorsteps) are more active. To avoid becoming a victim:

Use In-Store Pickup or Secure Delivery Options: If possible, pick-up items in-store or use lockers offered by retailers (e.g., Amazon Lockers) or parcel pick-up services. Remember that delivery drivers that do not have access to Luke Air Force Base will not be allowed into the base.

How to Report Suspicious Activity

In any community, maintaining safety requires vigilance and awareness of one’s surroundings.  Suspicious activity, whether in your neighborhood, workplace, or public spaces, can sometimes be an early warning sign of potential danger or criminal behavior. It’s important to know how to recognize these behaviors and, more importantly, how to report them to authorities.

Suspicious Activity Might Include

Unusual surveillance: An individual or individuals remaining in a vehicle or standing around in an area for extended periods without a clear purpose, especially in places that are not typically busy.

Strange or sneaky behavior: People sneaking around, avoiding eye contact, or acting unusually nervous or evasive when questioned. Individuals exhibiting behaviors such as lurking, evading direct gaze, or displaying heightened anxiety or reluctance when confronted.

Unexplained packages or bags: Unattended bags, parcels, or boxes in public areas, especially in places with heavy foot traffic or near sensitive locations like airports, schools, or government buildings.

Unusual transactions: Individuals engaging in transactions in unusual places, such as handing off cash or goods in parking lots or alleys.

Altered vehicles: Vehicles with temporary plates, tinted windows, or suspicious modifications that seem out of place or are parked in odd locations.

While these actions might not always be a sign of suspicious behavior, they should raise a red flag and encourage Airmen and Guardians to trust your instincts.

Why Should You Report Suspicious Activity

Reporting suspicious activity is crucial for several reasons, and it plays an important role in maintaining safety, security, and order within a community.

Prevent Crime and Terrorism

Reporting suspicious behavior can help authorities identify and stop criminal or terrorist activities before they escalate. Early intervention can prevent theft, violence, or even larger-scale attacks.

Protect Others

Reporting suspicious activity contributes to the safety of your neighbors, colleagues, and community members by safeguarding them from possible danger. Regardless of whether the situation is ultimately benign, notifying the authorities guarantees that any potential threat is investigated and addressed by law enforcement if required.

Aid Law Enforcement

Law Enforcement authorities depend on the vigilance of the public, as exemplified by the Eagle Eyes Program, to identify suspicious behaviors or activities that may go unnoticed. A timely report can furnish law enforcement with essential information to avert crimes, monitor suspects, or collect intelligence.

Increase Community Safety

Reporting suspicious activity contributes to the overall safety and well-being of the community. When individuals are vigilant and proactive, it fosters a safer environment where people feel more secure and confident in their surroundings.

Strengthen Security Measures

When reports of suspicious activities are made, they furnish law enforcement with information that can enhance Force Protection initiatives, optimize resource distribution, and refine law enforcement tactics. Additionally, this data allows authorities to discern trends and patterns in criminal behavior.

It Could Be a Matter of Life and Death

In certain situations, a seemingly minor or trivial detail may prove crucial in averting a disaster. Notifying authorities about any atypical behavior could be the decisive step in preserving lives.

EAGLE EYES REPORTING = FORCE PROTECTION!

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