August is Antiterrorism Awareness Month, a time the Department of the Army has set aside to reemphasize how community awareness and vigilance are critical in ensuring every member of the Army Family has the knowledge to effectively contribute to the protection of the places in which we work, live and play.
Army antiterrorism awareness programs are designed to enhance protection efforts at multiple levels. As part of the Army’s doctrine, the importance of community programs continues to be addressed as critical, from a holistic approach, for successfully deterring acts that could lead to terrorism.
One such program is iWatch, a community awareness initiative, created to educate the public about behaviors and activities that may have a connection to terrorism. The iWatch motto is: “I Watch, I Report, I Keep Us Safe.”
The iWatch program stemmed from “If You See Something, Say Something,” a 2010 Department of Homeland Security public safety awareness-building campaign. Under the direction of Secretary Janet Napolitano, the campaign was designed as a simple and effective program to raise awareness of indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime and to emphasize the importance of reporting suspicious activity to the proper local law enforcement authorities.
Principles of the see something, say something campaign are now embedded in local efforts across the nation as the iWatch program. It is used successfully by police departments and federal law enforcement agencies to enhance public awareness and to deter acts of terrorism. And it also is instrumental in foiling terrorist plots when citizens report what they judged to be suspicious activity.
According to the DHS website – www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something – “suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate terrorism or terrorism-related crime,” and can include unusual items or situations, a person eliciting information at a level beyond curiosity, or someone paying particular attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest.
Suspicious activity should be reported to local law enforcement, and DHS stresses to pay keen attention and describe “who or what you saw when you saw it, where it occurred and why it is suspicious.”
Within the Army, great similarities exist with the public sector as far as what is important to report. During August, antiterrorism awareness topics for the Fort Campbell community will be distributed through registered internet accounts and the Fort Campbell Facebook page. The information campaign will not only serve to inform members of the community about the existence of terrorism but will provide the tools necessary for remaining vigilant, thus helping law enforcement and security professionals ensure the safety and security of Fort Campbell.