Big Police Departments Back Anti-Terror Citizen Watch

[Guest justme]

Big Police Departments Back Anti-Terror Citizen Watch - Local News | News Articles | National News | US News - FOXNews.com

WASHINGTON — The nation's big city police chiefs are backing an anti-terrorism community watch program to educate people about what behavior is truly suspicious and ought to be reported to police.

Police Chief William Bratton of Los Angeles, whose department developed the iWATCH program, calls it the 21st century version of Neighborhood Watch.

Using brochures, public service announcements and meetings with community groups, iWATCH is designed to deliver concrete advice on how the public can follow the oft-repeated post-9/11 recommendation: "If you see something, say something." Program materials list nine types of suspicious behavior that should prompt people to call police and 12 kinds of places to look for it.

Among the indicators:

• If you smell chemicals or other fumes.

• If you see someone wearing clothes that are too big and too heavy for the season.

• If you see strangers asking about building security.

• If you see someone purchasing supplies or equipment that could be used to make bombs.

The important places to watch include: government buildings, mass gatherings, schools and public transportation.

The program also is designed to ease reporting by providing a dedicated toll-free phone number and Internet Web page through which the public can alert authorities. Los Angeles has already begun its toll-free number and planned to put its Web site up this weekend.

The Major Cities Chiefs Association, headed by Bratton and comprised of the chiefs of the 63 largest police departments in the United States and Canada, was expected to endorse iWATCH at its conference in Denver on Saturday as a model for all its communities. "It's really just common sense types of things," Bratton said.

But American Civil Liberties Union policy counsel Mike German, a former FBI agent who worked on terrorism cases, said the indicators are all relatively common behaviors. And he suspects people will fall back on personal biases and preconceived stereotypes of what a terrorist looks like when making the decision to report someone to the police.

"That just plays into the negative elements of society and doesn't really help the situation," German said. After the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration proposed enlisting postal carriers, gas and electric company workers, telephone repairmen and other workers with access to private homes in a program to report suspicious behavior to the FBI. Privacy advocates condemned this as too intrusive, and the plan was dropped.

Bratton and LAPD Commander Joan McNamara, who developed iWATCH, say privacy and civil liberties protections are built into this program.

"We're not asking people to spy on their neighbors," McNamara said.

If someone reports something based on race or ethnicity, the police will not accept the report, and someone will explain to the caller why that is not an indicator of suspicious behavior, McNamara said.

The iWATCH program isn't the first to list possible indicators of suspicious behavior. Some cities, like Miami, have offered a public list of seven signs of possible terrorism. Federal agencies also have put out various lists over the years.

Edited October 3, 2009 by justme

[Guest justme]

They are just conducting more fear mongering--because a people in fear is much easier to control.

The people who came up with this program are idiots.

[Guest HexHead]

The police departments are rapidly turning from being that nice cop on the beat to the enemies our founding fathers warned us about. Why else do you think liberal politicians are always ranting about weapons that endanger our police officers and want to ban law abiding citizens from owning them ?

Edited October 3, 2009 by HexHead

[leroy]

They are just conducting more fear mongering--because a people in fear is much easier to control.

The people who came up with this program are idiots.

This is a great truth. The tops of big police departments are full of these authoritorian idiots who evidently see an enemy behind every bush. I hardly ever agree with the ACLU; but they are right about this:

But American Civil Liberties Union policy counsel Mike German, a former FBI agent who worked on terrorism cases, said the indicators are all relatively common behaviors. And he suspects people will fall back on personal biases and preconceived stereotypes of what a terrorist looks like when making the decision to report someone to the police.

"That just plays into the negative elements of society and doesn't really help the situation," German said. After the Sept. 11 attacks, the Bush administration proposed enlisting postal carriers, gas and electric company workers, telephone repairmen and other workers with access to private homes in a program to report suspicious behavior to the FBI. Privacy advocates condemned this as too intrusive, and the plan was dropped.

Bratton and LAPD Commander Joan McNamara, who developed iWATCH, say privacy and civil liberties protections are built into this program.

"We're not asking people to spy on their neighbors," (--- Sure looks like George Orwell's "1984" to me ---McNamara evidently thinks we are all stupid.... That's exactly what this is -- spying on your neighbor.... ) McNamara said.

If someone reports something based on race or ethnicity, the police will not accept the report, and someone will explain to the caller why that is not an indicator of suspicious behavior, McNamara said.

We need to be vigiliant to see that these Bolshevik idiots and their children do not take hold down here. Chicago, New York, LA (where these idiots are from) and other big cities evidently like this "rat on your neighbor" stuff; they keep electing those who believe in it. We've fell a long way from what was envisioned by the founders of this country. I'ts a sad day when a major police department in the USA espouses the very techniques used to keep the people of the Soviet Union enslaved for 70 years -- "Rat on you neighbor if you dont like him". I'ts a disgrace.

LEROY

[Guest justme]

tyranny depends on a meek, terrified and compliant people.

[Guest Muttling]

Terrorism, gangs, and organized crime thrives on people who look the other way.

[Oh Shoot]

...

Among the indicators:

• If you see someone wearing clothes that are too big and too heavy for the season.

...

Concealment vest guys watch out!

- OS

[DaveTN]

Good grief..

These programs are nothing new and they do not come from anything to do with terrorists or 9/11. “Neighborhood watch†programs have been around for over 25 years.

Most big Police departments are reactive; not proactive. They go from one call to the next and don’t have a lot of time to be “patrolling†anymore. The citizens (you and I) rely on other concerned citizens to call the Police when they see someone about to commit a crime against one of us.

If a person caught your attention enough for you to wonder if you should call the Police there is probably a reason. Call the Police and let the responding Officers decide if there is anything to it or not. Simple contact can take a dangerous wanted person off the street or may stop a serious crime.

To believe that this is some government conspiracy is laughable.

[Guest SweetSue]

It will be interesting to see all the false arrests that will come from this. Wonder if one can sue for harassment if arrested more than once, by the same person. Maybe even stalking. This is going to be a disaster.

[DaveTN]

It will be interesting to see all the false arrests that will come from this. Wonder if one can sue for harassment if arrested more than once, by the same person. Maybe even stalking. This is going to be a disaster.

How do you think this lead to a false arrest?

How is this going to be a disaster?

[Guest justme]

How do you think this lead to a false arrest?

How is this going to be a disaster?

let me see--someone buys items on the list, gets the police called, the person refuses to answer questions....and it goes from there.

the government is pushing this--it is fear mongering, and that is exactly why they do it--it keeps the people afraid, it makes the people more compliant--and compliance is what it is all about.

Edited October 7, 2009 by justme

[Guest justme]

Good grief..

These programs are nothing new and they do not come from anything to do with terrorists or 9/11. “Neighborhood watch” programs have been around for over 25 years.

An expanded neighborhood watch program? This is not about calling the police about someone smashing the window out of your neighbors house...it has gone way beyond that--it is about asking people to spy on other people.

Most big Police departments are reactive; not proactive. They go from one call to the next and don’t have a lot of time to be “patrolling” anymore. The citizens (you and I) rely on other concerned citizens to call the Police when they see someone about to commit a crime against one of us.

This is not about a crime--it is about buying everyday items and asking citizens to call the police if you think it is suspicious...Where is the crime that warrants a police intrusion again?

If a person caught your attention enough for you to wonder if you should call the Police there is probably a reason. Call the Police and let the responding Officers decide if there is anything to it or not. Simple contact can take a dangerous wanted person off the street or may stop a serious crime.

Any contact for something that is legal behavior should be met with refusal to answer questions.

To believe that this is some government conspiracy is laughable.

To believe that everything your government says or does must be for your benefit is equally laughable

Edited October 7, 2009 by justme

[Guest HexHead]

• If you see someone wearing clothes that are too big and too heavy for the season.

I often see a former member here known as "the rabbi" walking to temple on Saturdays, often wearing a black coat and hat regardless of the season. Do I need to report him?

:D

[Guest justme]

I often see a former member here known as "the rabbi" walking to temple on Saturdays, often wearing a black coat and hat regardless of the season. Do I need to report him?

:D:D

wearing out of season clothing would be a great way to get this changed. If that is the only reason contact is made--an individual complaint, and a profiling complaint would be almost guaranteed....the feds get enough of the profiling complaints and they will move on it, if for no other reason than shut up those making the complaints.

as long as people tolerate this, it will continue and get worse.

it isn't a crime to wear clothing that is out of season after all.....oh wait, that is why they have the catchall "disorderly conduct" charge....

Edited October 7, 2009 by justme

[leroy]

Good grief..

These programs are nothing new and they do not come from anything to do with terrorists or 9/11. “Neighborhood watch†programs have been around for over 25 years.

...

To believe that this is some government conspiracy is laughable.

Dave:_________

I happen to believe that it is, indeed, a government conspiracy AT THE LOCAL LEVEL; not the Federal level. Big city police departments (as well as other departments) are populated at the top by political operatives; and always have been. These people are chosen because their opinion are congruent with their bosses; and because of their willingness to take orders; not their views on upholding the constitution or regard for private citizens. Take a look at any large metropolitan police department in the united states, including the state of Tennessee. There are regular posts on this forum that discuss the political bents and legal views of those at the top -- and the actions discussed are many times are clearly overbearing, are full of political moves -- in many cases, contrary to established law (the HCP in the parks issue is a good example). Chiefs of Police wield lobbying power in the political arena that you and i can never hope to match -- but they never answer directly to the people they are sworn to "serve and protect". They are responisble for lobbying for changes in laws and have a great influence on the judiciary. That's why im always concerned when i see these people say things that are contrary to the basic freedoms enumerated in the constitution, or putting forth concepts that are antithetical to common decency -- such as ratting on your neighbor. They are also responsible for developing the policies used in the department and the officers of the department are obliged to follow them if they want to stay employed. Their pronouncements can be implemented, legal or not, by purely giving the order. They are only changed when they are challenged in court and ruled on. I'm sure you can find a few exceptions; but for the most part these folks are motivated not by the constitution and right doing; but by partizan politics at its worst.

The genesis of "shall issue" handgun carry laws are the direct result of abuses of the old system that allowed individual chiefs of police and sheriffs to hand out carry permits to their political friends and deny them to others -- thats why the state laws say that the state "shall issue permits".

Sadly, one of the biggest problems that this nation faces is the problems of these big cities like New York, Chicago (who elected a president recently), Los Angeles, etc being reduced to political fiefdoms in which the mayors and city councils look like the old Politburo of the USSR and act that way. They are busy buying and selling the weak minded and the gutter trash with pennies and are robbing and oppressing the real producers that live within the city or metro limits. That's why the big cities are experiencing an exodus of real people who pay their taxes and are producers.

I am not bashing any legitimate attempts by law enforcement to protect the general public; but i do believe that the techniques endorsed and methods used should be congruent with the law and common decency. I do believe that there are serious flaws in both the police enterprise and legal enterpirise in some of these large cities -- including some in Tennessee. We have plenty of laws on the books which give ample authority to investigate legitimate issues; and always have had. This latest round of "security enhancements" is nothing more than an excuse for tightening the noose on more peoples freedoms by telling the weak minded that it is their civic duty to "rat on their neighbors". I happen to believe that most people are responsible enough to take a look at" suspicious activities" and have some judgemental ability to evaluate them without some armchair admiral in a big city police department telling them what to look for and encouraging them to so.

You may thing this is 'tinfoil hat" stuff but i encourage you to research what happened at Athens, TN right after WW2 as well as other places in the US.. I believe there is a post on it in the blog section of this forum.

Food for tought.

Kind regards,

LEROY