See Something, Say Something (Reporting Suspicious Activity)

This post comes directly from NJOHSP and can be found here: https://www.njohsp.gov/threat-landscape/report-suspicious-activity

NJOHSP encourages law enforcement, first responders, and private- and public-sector partners to report potential threats and suspicious activity.

The “See Something, Say Something” campaign benefits families, friends, and neighbors.

Reporting suspicious behavior could potentially stop the next terrorist incident. Even a seemingly unimportant observation may be a piece of a larger puzzle.

What to remember when reporting suspicious activity

What Is Suspicious Activity?

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could be potential threats, terrorism, or other criminal activity. Learn more about the different types of suspicious activity from the videos and infographics below.

Signs of Suspicious Activity

No matter if you are commuting to work, browsing in a retail shop, or journeying on a holiday or vacation, remember: Everyone plays a role and contributes to the security of our communities and neighborhoods. Stay vigilant and if you “See Something, Say Something” when you see any suspicious activity. Factors such as race, ethnicity, gender, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, or gender identity are not suspicious. NJOHSP encourages the public to report only suspicious behavior and situations (e.g., someone breaking into a restricted area), rather than one’s appearance, to authorities. The below activities should only be reported if they are conducted in a manner that would cause suspicion of potential threats, terrorism, or other criminal activity.

• Expressed or Implied Threat: Threatening to commit a crime that could harm or kill people or damage a facility, infrastructure, or secured site.
• Breach/Trespassing/Attempted Intrusion: Unauthorized people trying to enter a restricted area or impersonating authorized personnel
• Sabotage/Tampering/Vandalism: Damaging or destroying part of a facility, infrastructure, or secured site.
• Material Acquisition/Storage: Acquisition/or storage of unusual quantities of materials, such as cell phones or toxic materials
• Weapon Collection/Storage: Collection or discovery of unusual amounts of weapons, including explosives or chemicals
• Surveillance: A prolonged interest in or taking pictures/videos of personnel, facilities, security features, or infrastructure in an unusual or covert manner
• Acquiring Expertise: Gaining skills or knowledge on a specific topic, such as facility security, military tactics, or flying an aircraft
• Eliciting Information: Questioning personnel beyond mere curiosity about an event, facility, or operations
• Misrepresentation: Presenting false information or misusing documents to conceal possible legal activity
• Testing Security: Probing or testing a facility’s security or IT systems to assess the strength or weakness of the target
• Theft/Loss/Diversion: Stealing or diverting items - such as equipment, uniforms, or badges - that belong to a facility or secured site
• Recruiting: Attempting to recruit or radicalize others by providing tradecraft advice or disturbing propaganda materials
• Financing: Providing direct financial support to operations teams and contacts, often through suspicious banking/financial transactions
• Cyber Attack: Disrupting or compromising an organization's information technology systems
• Aviation Activity: Operating or interfering with the operation of an aircraft that poses a threat of harm to people and property

What Is the New Jersey Suspicious Activity Reporting System?

NJOHSP is responsible for managing the New Jersey Suspicious Activity Reporting System (NJSARS), which shares threat-related suspicious activity information to law enforcement partners throughout the state. NJSARS is linked to the FBI’s national suspicious activity reporting (SAR) system known as eGuardian, which partners with the Nationwide SAR Initiative (NSI) to form a single repository accessible to thousands of law enforcement personnel and analysts nationwide.

How to Report Suspicious Activity

You can report suspicious activity to law enforcement or to NJOHSP’s Counter-Threat Watch Unit in any of the ways below.

• Call 1-866-4-SAFE-NJ 
• Email tips to tips@njohsp.gov
• Submit Online Form at https://www.njohsp.gov/threat-landscape/report-suspicious-activity/suspicious-activity-reporting-form

You can also notify our Police Desk (or your local Police Department) at 973-835-1703.