Terrorism FAQ

Terrorism is the use of force or violence against persons or property in violation of the criminal laws of the United States for purposes of intimidation, coercion, or ransom. Terrorists often use threats to create fear among the public, to try to convince citizens that their government is powerless to prevent terrorism, and to get immediate publicity for their causes.

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) categorizes terrorism in the United States as one of two types, domestic terrorism or international terrorism. Domestic terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are directed at elements of our government or population without foreign direction.

International terrorism involves groups or individuals whose terrorist activities are foreign-based and/or directed by countries or groups outside the United States or whose activities transcend national boundaries.

The Bureau of Criminal Investigation, Pennsylvania State Police, has established an e-mail address and a toll free telephone number to allow members of the public to contact the Intelligence Section with information relative to Pennsylvania's Homeland Security. All information received will be reviewed and handled accordingly.

Members of the public are encouraged to use this e-mail or toll free number to report suspicious individuals or activity that may be directly or indirectly associated with terrorists or terrorist activity.

Individuals reporting information will not necessarily be recontacted in all cases.

To report a tip:

e-mail - Pennsylvania State Police - Homeland Security Tip Submission

By Phone - Call PA Terrorism Tip Line -- 1-888-292-1919 (toll free)

Checklist #1: Suspicious Person(s)

1. An unidentified individual observed loitering near a facility or in the lobby of a facility for an extended period of time.
2. An unidentified individual observed wandering throughout a facility.
3. An unidentified individual dressed in oversized or inappropriate clothing (e.g. - a long heavy coat in warm weather) that appears to be concealing something.
4. An unidentified individual entering a facility carrying an oversized backpack or a large suitcase.
5. An individual in a facility with no visible company issued identification.
6. An individual who, when challenged by a supervisor or an employee, does not respond or does not provide a reasonable explanation for his/her actions.
7. An unidentified individual asking specific questions about your facility (e.g., security related matters, etc.).
8. An unidentified individual asking questions about key agency personnel (e.g., their normal arrival or departure times, their vehicle, location of their parking space, etc.).
9. An unidentified individual trying to deliver a package or other item to an office or to a specific person.
10. An unidentified individual observed photographing, videotaping and/or sketching the exterior or interior of any state facility.
11. An individual without proper identification entering your facility claiming to be a contractor, law enforcement officer, reporter or a service technician.

Checklist #2: Suspicious Activity

1. Two or more unidentified individuals observed loitering near a facility or in the lobby of a facility.
2. Individuals or groups who are uncooperative if challenged by a representative of that company/security or an employee.
3. Individuals or groups who appear at your facility without prior notification or clearance and claim to be contractors or service technicians.
4. Unidentified individuals attempting to deliver packages or other items to an office or to a specific person.
5. Unidentified individuals attempting to remove property from an office or a facility without proper authorization.
6. Unidentified individuals who appear to be conducting surveillance of a facility (e.g., sitting in a vehicle for an extended period of time and/or taking photographs or videotaping, etc.).
7. An unidentified individual observed placing an object or a package outside a facility and departing the area.

Checklist #3: Suspicious Items or Vehicles

1. Any unattended backpacks, boxes, containers, luggage and/or packages in an elevator, hallway, lobby, restroom, snack bar or stairwell of your facility.
2. Any item that could be an improvised explosive device (e.g., items with visible wires, antennas, batteries, timing devices, metal or plastic pipe with each end capped or covered, etc.). NOTE: Untrained personnel should not examine or move a possible improvised explosive device (IED); the immediate area must be cleared pending the arrival of bomb squad personnel.
3. Rental vehicles/trailers parked near a facility, parked at or near the loading dock, or located in the parking lot without prior authorization.
4. Any vehicle that appears to be overloaded or has any substance leaking from it.
5. Any vehicle parked illegally or parked at an unusual location.
6. Any type of vehicle that appears to be abandoned (e.g., inspection sticker expired or missing, registration plate expired or missing, etc.).

Reporting Procedures

1. If you observe a suspicious person or persons, a suspicious item or a suspicious vehicle, you should immediately report the information to the appropriate law enforcement agency.
2. Nonemergency tips should be called immediately in to 1-888-292-1919 (toll free) or emailed to sp-intelligence@pa.gov.
3. For an emergency or an imminent event immediately report it to 911 or the local law enforcement agency if known.
4. You should be prepared to provide your name, location, and call back number.
5. You should be prepared to explain exactly what type of emergency is being reported.
6. You should be prepared to stay on the line with the call taker and to answer the call taker's questions to the best of his/her ability; the call taker should terminate the call.
7. You might be requested to meet with the first responder to answer his/her questions and to direct the officer to the correct location.

Biological agents are infectious microbes or toxins used to produce illness or death in people, animals, or plants. Biological agents can be dispersed as aerosols or airborne particles. Terrorists may use biological agents to contaminate food or water because they are extremely difficult to detect. Chemical agents kill or incapacitate people, destroy livestock or ravage crops. Some chemical agents are odorless and tasteless and are difficult to detect. They can have an immediate effect (a few seconds to a few minutes) or a delayed effect (several hours to several days).

Were a chemical agent attack to occur, authorities would instruct citizens to either seek shelter where they are and seal the premises or evacuate immediately. Exposure to chemical agents can be fatal.

Biological agents are organisms or toxins that have illness-producing effects on people, livestock, and crops. Because biological agents cannot necessarily be detected and may take time to grow and cause a disease, it is almost impossible to know that a biological attack has occurred.

If government officials become aware of a biological attack through an informant or warning by terrorists, they would most likely instruct citizens via the Emergency Alert System (EAS) to either seek shelter where they are and seal the premises or evacuate immediately.

A person affected by a biological agent requires the immediate attention of professional medical personnel. Some agents are contagious, and victims may need to be quarantined. Biological and chemical weapons have been used primarily to terrorize an unprotected civilian population and not as a weapon of war. This is because of fear of retaliation and the likelihood that the agent would contaminate the battlefield for a long period. The Persian Gulf War in 1991 and other confrontations in the Middle East were causes for concern in the United States regarding the possibility of chemical or biological warfare. While no incidents occurred, there remains a concern that such weapons could be involved in an accident or be used by terrorists.

More information on Bioterrorism preparedness and response is available online from the Department of Health and Human Services Center for Disease Control.

Terrorists look for visible targets where they can avoid detection before or after an attack such as international airports, large cities, major international events, resorts, and high-profile landmarks.

There are different types of terrorist weapons including explosives, kidnappings, hijackings, arson, and shootings.

By adapting many of the same techniques used to prepare for other crises.

• Be alert and aware of the surrounding area. The very nature of terrorism suggests that there may be little or no warning.
• Take precautions when traveling. Be aware of conspicuous or unusual behavior. Do not accept packages from strangers. Do not leave luggage unattended.
• Learn where emergency exists are located. Think ahead about how to evacuate a building, subway, or congested public area in a hurry. Learn where staircases are located.
• Notice your immediate surroundings. Be aware of heavy or breakable objects that could move, fall, or break in an explosion.
• Listen to the Emergency Alert System (EAS) broadcasts via radio or television.

Most stockpiling or preparedness suggestions are commonsense preparations for any sort of unexpected emergency. So, don't blow all your money on a fancy gas mask. There are more useful things to get, and even die-hard survivalists rank gas masks low on their priority list. The Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the American Red Cross have provided several suggestions:

Food & Water

Store at least a three-day supply of nonperishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water. If you must heat food, pack a can of Sterno. Select food items that are compact and lightweight.

• One gallon of water per person per day (2 quarts for drinking, 2 quarts for sanitation/food prep prep)
• Minimum 3-day supply of water for each person
• Ready-to-eat canned meats, fruits and vegetables
• Canned juices, milk (if powdered, store extra water), soup
• Staples - sugar, salt, pepper
• High-energy foods - peanut butter, jelly, cracker, granola bars, trail mix
• Vitamins
• Foods for infants, elderly people or those on a special diet
• Comfort/stress foods - cookies, hard candy, sweetened cereals, lollipops, instant coffee, and tea bags
• First Aid Kit - For any accidents it's good to have a few medical supplies. You can buy a first-aid kit, but once again it's not difficult to put together your own. Just go into a drugstore and grab a few things. Assemble a first aid kit for your home and one for each car.

A first aid kit should include:

• Sterile adhesive bandages inassorted sizes
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent/soap
• Latex Gloves (2 pairs)
• Sunscreen
• 2-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• 4-inch sterile gauze pads (4-6)
• Triangular bandages (3)
• Non-prescription drugs
• 2-inch sterile roler bandages (3 rolls)
• 3-inch sterile roler bandages (3 rolls)
• Scissors
• Tweezers
• Needle
• Moistened towelettes
• Antiseptic
• Thermometer
• 2 Tongue blades
• Tube of petroleum jelly or other lubricant
• Assorted sizes of safety pins
• Cleansing agent & soap
• Sunscreen

NON-PRESCRIPTION DRUGS

• Aspirin or non-aspirin pain reliever
• Anti-diarrhea medication
• Antacid (for stomach upset)
• Syrup of Ipecac (to induce vomiting)
• Laxative
• Activated Charcoal

More information on Disaster Preparedness Kits is available at
http://www.redcross.org