Police Chiefs across the country are supporting a community watch project in the name of anti-terrorism that encourages citizens to spy on each other and report any suspicious behaviour to police.

The terroristic characteristics that are to be reported under the iWATCH program include wearing clothes that are too big.

“If you see something, say something.”

Program materials list nine types of suspicious behavior that should compel 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 toll-free number and Web page the public can use to alert authorities. Los Angeles put up its Web site this weekend.

“It’s really just commonsense types of things,” Bratton said, adding that his department is providing technical assistance to other agencies that want to adopt the program.

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. He suspects people will fall back on personal biases and stereotypes of what a terrorist looks like when deciding to report someone to the police.

“That just plays into the negative elements of society and doesn’t really help the situation,” German said

Source: YouTube User

Tweet This Post