JOINT BASE ANDREWS, Md., May 16, 2018 —
On average, approximately 50,000 individuals walk, fly or drive onto JBA during a typical work week. That's why the 11th Security Forces Group defenders work day and night to ensure workplace and residential safety.
Still, the threat of an attack remains. That's why the 11th SFG is asking for help from JBA personnel.
“[Everyone] can participate in defending the base by being observant, reporting any and all suspicious activity, and participating in random antiterrorism measures,” said Staff Sgt. Brandon Spears, 11th SFG NCO in charge of the antiterrorism office.
Security forces defines suspicious activity as any object or character that seems to be out of place.
Some examples include people loitering in areas they don’t seem to belong and people looking to gain information about military operations through information phishing, monitoring traffic patterns, testing security measures or mapping out base routes.
One easy way for people to get more involved in defending the base is through the Air Force Eagle Eyes program, which is available to service members and their families who are interested in learning how to identify and properly report suspicious activity.
Eagle Eyes was started in the National Capital Region in 2004 by the Air Force Office of Special Investigations to teach people the typical activities terrorists engage in when planning an attack. The program's goal is to enlist the eyes and ears of others by arming the general populace with the knowledge to recognize and report suspicious activity.
“The best thing to do is report anything that is out of the ordinary,” said Staff Sgt. Casey Cansler, 11th SFG NCO in charge of threat analysis. “If it turns out to be nothing, that’s good. If it turns out to be something, that’s good because we can stop it.”
If suspicious activity is recognized, the next step is to immediately contact law enforcement agency -- never try to intervene in a potentially dangerous situation without the proper training.
The Base Response Operation Center is the hub for all communication with JBA law enforcement. When reporting suspicious activity call 301-981-2001. In case of an emergency, always call 911.
As an alternative, JBA has adopted the free LiveSafe mobile app that allows users to communicate discreetly, immediately and anonymously with JBA law enforcement officials.
Tech. Sgt. Anthony Meadows, NCO in charge of police service on JBA, recommends all personnel download the app.
“Users can communicate via text, sending photos and exact locations to the security forces command post who can respond immediately via text or arrive on scene within five minutes of receiving a message,” he said.
When reporting suspicious activity, personnel should convey who or what they saw, when they saw it, where it occurred and why it's suspicious.
To learn more about reporting suspicious activity, visit https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something or speak with your unit’s antiterrorism officer.