FORT RUCKER, Ala. -- Knowing how to spot suspicious or out-of-the-ordinary activities is essential to helping protect the post community, according to Fort Rucker's Installation Anti-Terrorism Officer.
Identifying something suspicious is often a matter of "common sense," Michael Whittaker said.
"If something seems unusual, like a package with wires protruding from it or a strange vehicle that doesn't belong in a neighborhood, then the (Military Police) need to be called," he said. "People should never try to touch or move something that seems suspicious."
Safety should be the top priority at all times and the only way to be safe is to be aware of what's going on in the immediate surroundings, Whittaker noted.
"Complacency is our (top) enemy right now," he said.
Being mindful of surroundings and keeping up with personal belongings is only part of keeping the installation safe, Whittaker said, adding there are several things one can do to help prevent an incident from occurring.
Post residents should look for things such as strangers asking questions about security or building security procedures, a person wearing clothes that are too big and too hot for the weather, cars and/or trucks left in 'no parking' zones in front of important buildings, chemical smells or fumes coming from cars or buildings and/or intruders in secure areas, he said.
Once an incident or suspicious activity is reported, the Department of Public Safety is called in to investigate and determine what, if any, threat exists, according to Staff Sgt. Shelton Gore, DPS operations sergeant.
"What normally happens is patrols will go out and then call the Fire Department to block off the area," he said. "We take every call seriously and treat each incident as if it's the real thing."
Gore stressed that individuals who spot dubious activities should call the MPs at once.
"If someone does see something suspicious happening they need to report it immediately," he said.
If a questionable person, item or activity is observed, it should be reported to the MPs at 255-2222 or to the anti-terrorism officer at 255-3721.
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