See something, say something encouraged

By Rhonda Apple, Pentagram ReporterApril 19, 2013

See something, say something encouraged
(Photo Credit: U.S. Army) VIEW ORIGINAL

JOINT BASE MYER-HENDERSON HALL, Va. - In light of the bombings at the Boston Marathon April 15, active duty and civilian personnel on Joint Base Myer-Henderson Hall are encouraged to be aware of anything suspicious on or off the joint base.

The public service campaign slogan is simple, yet important -'If You See Something, Say Something.'

"['If You See Something, Say Something'] is not a new campaign. It's something we've been doing for years - since 9/11 - and both the Army and local law enforcement [agencies] have been a big proponent of [this]," said Chief of Police William R. Johnson, with the JBM-HH Directorate of Emergency Services.

"This is so people know if they see something out of the ordinary, they can pick up the phone and call local law enforcement, or to the installation [to report a situation here] , so no matter how small it might be to them, in the grand scheme of things, it might be [important in] a bigger picture," he said.

"We ask our residents, our customers, our visitors, our soldiers, Marines, sailors and airmen, if they see something on the installation, they [should] notify us - no matter how small - and we will look into it," Johnson said.

"There are various systems out there that we gather information [from], to ensure we keep a safe and secure environment," he continued. "I want to make sure as we're getting into the summer months and folks are out and about walking around the installation, that the information gets passed [on] to the right folks," said Johnson.

The chief said in addition to most law enforcement agencies, The U.S. Department of Homeland Security also promotes the 'If You See Something, Say Something,' campaign. "The premise behind this is the more eyes we have out there, the better off we are, and the better off this organization is in making sure we have a safe and secure environment."

To report suspicious activity on JBM-HH, call 703-588-2800/2801. In an emergency, call 911.

"Folks know what the norm is, when you commute into work every day, you see the same things. When you come in the gate you know where things are located. If you see something out of the ordinary, for example, an abandoned backpack or parcel or any suspicious activity, it needs to be reported," said Johnson. "We'll send our military police out to investigate."

He stressed the police on JBM-HH do not want members of the joint base community to question whether they should call, or if they're bothering DES employees by reporting something. "We're here to serve the public and no matter how insignificant someone may think the inquiry might appear, we want people to know they should call us."

For more info about the 'If You See Something, Say Something' campaign and DHS, go to www.dhs.gov/if-you-see-something-say-something-campaign.

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If You See Something, Say Something