FORT GREGG-ADAMS, Va. — Throughout the coming month, force protection experts from the Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security will be pushing out crime prevention and antiterrorism awareness information through post-wide emails, social media, the Fort Gregg-Adams web presences and awareness tables throughout the installation.
“Today’s persistent threat from near-peer competitors employing a wide range of asymmetric, terrorist tactics, combined with relatively new threat actors, forms a complex operating environment. These threats present force protection challenges,” said Cristine E. Wormuth, Secretary of the Army.
The biggest challenges to individuals reporting suspicious activity are bystander apathy or the belief that someone else will report it. Fortunately for individuals attending the 2022 Richmond Independence Day celebration, someone did report a suspicious conversation. The tip thwarted an attack two individuals had been planning on July 4 at the Dogwood Dell amphitheater.
The question safety forces are asked most is what does suspicious activity or behavior look like? It could be as innocent as someone from off post asking questions about the facility, or it could be you notice an individual making drawings of the entrances. Reporting out-of-the-ordinary behavior is the best thing to do.
The following are some examples of suspicious activity/behavior:
• Loitering in the lobby or other office spaces
• Trying to gain access to the building
• Wearing unseasonal attire (ex: a puffy winter jacket in the summer)
• Overhearing a threatening or concerning conversation
• Testing locked doors and windows or trying to access secure spaces
• Abandoning bags or vehicles
• Peering into car or building windows
• Working odd hours or taking prolonged absences from work
• Asking for unneeded information
“Ww must talk about it (the threat posed by violent extremists and other criminals) and raise awareness of what actions all of us can take to reduce the possibility of attacks happening in our communities and neighborhoods,” said Scott Brown, Fort Gregg-Adams Director of Plans, Training, Mobility and Security, “ That’s what this awareness and educational effort is all about.”
The DPTMS goal for Antiterrorism Awareness Month is to help installation personnel understand their roles in the force protection process, he said.
“In the coming weeks, we’re going to share a lot of valuable information about threat recognition; the importance of the ‘See Something, Say Something’ initiative; how the Installation Operations Center communicates emergency information here; and how everyone can take steps to reduce their profile as a potential victim - particularly online where extremists gather data and promote deadly violence,” Brown said. “For the sake of installation security and protection of yourself and your family, we hope you will join us on this journey of awareness and action.”
Anyone with specific questions about the Antiterrorism Awareness Month Campaign or the training opportunities available for units and military organizations on-post should contact their unit antiterrorism officer or call the DPTMS Protection Team at (804) 734-1575.
To report suspicious activity on the installation, call the law enforcement desk at (804) 734-7400 or notify your chain of command. Those off-post should contact their local police department or call 911.
Social Sharing