Dobbins Air Reserve Base, Ga. – Certain jobs in the Air Force are highly specialized and remain the responsibility of those who work in the career field. Other jobs, however, remain the responsibility of everyone on base. Reporting suspicious behavior is one of these responsibilities.
The 94th Security Forces Squadron is asking for help from everyone on base in reporting suspicious behavior by calling the Base Defense Operations Center at 678-655-4909.
“Reporting is key,” said Robert Harvell, 94th SFS antiterrorism program manager. “Don’t have the mindset that ‘it will never happen to me.’ It is too common that people assume nothing bad will happen. No one is immune to a terrorist attack, active shooter event or any other criminal activity. It is important to understand that everyone plays a role, and an attack could happen anywhere and anytime.”
To ensure the proper information is reported, use the SALUTE format:
S: Size of group
A: Activity or what the suspicious person or group is doing
L: Location of the person or suspicious activity
U: Uniform or physical description of the individual
T: Time of activity
E: Equipment carried by the individual
What exactly qualifies as suspicious behavior?
The Air Force Eagle Eyes program offers these helpful categories of suspicious behavior: Surveillance, Elicitation, Tests of Security, Acquiring Supplies, Suspicious Persons out of Place, Dry Run, and Deploying Assets. The Pass and ID office here offers a helpful brochure that breaks down all of these categories.
“Simply put, people should look for anything out of the ordinary,” said Harvell. “What may seem like a small and insignificant act or item could be an indicator of something larger. Someone taking pictures, soliciting for information, testing security measures or looking out of place could all be indicators of terrorist or criminal activity. If your gut tells you someone or something is out of place, you’re probably right.”
Being aware and staying alert are effective measures in reporting suspicious behavior and ultimately keeping everyone on Dobbins safe.
“Don’t be afraid to report,” Harvell said. “If you sense something is out of place, report it. Many people debate calling in because of a fear of being wrong, but it is better to be wrong and say something than to be right and be silent. Your reports matter. If you are unsure of something, call 655-4909 and let Security Forces and OSI do the work. If you see something, say something!”