News Releases

Mobile Police Department Assigns Citizens a Key Role in Protecting against Terrorism

Dec 8th, 2015

The Mobile Police Department has received various calls regarding suspicious activity in the downtown area and throughout Mobile recently and over the course of several months. Although these subsequent investigations did not reveal any threatening intentions or ties to terrorist activities, police applaud the actions of observant citizens and believe they play a key role in helping to protect the community against terrorism.

Under the umbrella of Project Shield, which uses technology through public and private sector partnerships to combat terrorism and large scale acts of violence, a training program has been designed to teach the public how to become aware of suspicious activity.

"We can educate the public concerning their roles and responsibilities in reporting suspicious and unusual situations and persons," says Kevin Levy, commander of the Cyber Intelligence Unit at the Mobile Police Department. "By being the eyes on the ground, the public plays a part in the intelligence gathering process."

Levy explains that the public should first challenge themselves to be more observant in their surroundings. They should think and ask themselves four things.

• Is the person acting different than everyone else?
• Does it look like they are trying to hide or conceal themselves?
• Does it look or appear as though they are attempting to hide or conceal an object?
• Do they appear to be conducting some form of surveillance or photographing places and items which may cause alarm?

"Communicating with law enforcement concerning any unusual behavior is the key role for all citizens so police can prevent and/or immediately respond to acts of terrorism or violence," Mobile Police Chief James Barber says.

The five key factors to consider in identifying suspicious or unusual behavior include the following:

• What is happening?
• Who is involved?
• Where is the suspicious activity taking place?
• When is it happening?
• Why is it thought to be suspicious?

Although one citizen can protect the entire community in his or her role of being aware, everyone needs training in identifying and reporting suspicious activity. To learn more about the Project Shield training program, contact the Mobile Police Public Information Office at 251-208-1918.

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Charlette Solis
Mobile Police Department
Public Affairs Officer
251-208-1918