Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR)

The Nationwide SAR Initiative

The Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI) is an outgrowth of a number of separate but related activities over the last several years that respond directly to the mandate to establish a "unified process for reporting, tracking, and accessing [SARs]" in a manner that rigorously protects the privacy and civil liberties of Americans, as called for in the National Strategy for Information Sharing.

If You See Something, Say Something……

In July 2010, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), at Secretary Janet Napolitano's direction, launched a national "If You See Something, Say Something™" public awareness campaign -a simple and effective program to raise public awareness of indicators of terrorism and violent crime, and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper state and local law enforcement authorities.

If you become aware of suspicious activity DO NOT:

• Take direct action
• Confront the individual
• Reveal your suspicions

If you become aware of suspicious activity DO:

• Record as many details as is possible
• Notify the Providence Police Department at (401) 272-3121 as soon as possible and describe observed events:
  • Who did I observe?
  • What specifically did I see?
  • Where did I observe the suspicious behavior?
  • When did I observe the suspicious behavior?
  • Why do I think the behavior is suspicious?

Report Suspicious Activity to Local Law Enforcement or Call 911.

When Traveling.......

• Be alert to unattended packages.
• Be wary of suspicious behavior.
• Take notice of people in bulky or inappropriate clothing.
• Report exposed wiring or other irregularities.
• Report anyone tampering with surveillance cameras or entering unauthorized areas.
• Learn the basics of safe train, plane and bus evacuation.

Watch Programs......

• USA On Watch Program (Neighborhood Watch Program)
  
• America's Waterway Watch Program (United States Coast Guard [USCG])
  
• USCG Suspicious Activity Report
  
• Air Cargo Watch (TSA)
  
• Transit Watch (Federal Transit Administration, DOT)

• AMTRAK Safety & Security

Web Resources

• United States Department of Homeland Security

• National Terrorism Advisory System (NTAS)

• Transportation Security Administration

• US Computer Emergency Readiness Team (US-CERT)
  
• US Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE)
  
• US Attorney General - Anti-Terrorism Advisory Council (ATAC)

• US Coast Guard, National Response Center

• The National Response Team, HAZMAT and Chemical Spills
  
• Rhode Island State Police
  
• Providence Police Department - Homeland Security