Terrorism doesn't mean you have to change your life-it just means you need to be prepared. Whether a disaster is natural or human-made, it's important to be prepared. Meet with your family and discuss why you need to be prepared for a disaster, and work together to prepare a family disaster plan.
- Discuss the type of hazards that could affect your family
- Determine escape routes from your home and places to meet. Pick places for your family to meet outside your home in case of a sudden emergency, like a fire, or outside your neighborhood if you can't return home.
- Have an out-of-state friend or relative as the family contact, so all your family members have a single point of contact. Family members need to call this family contact to let them know where they are in the event you cannot be together.
- Make a plan now for what to do with your pets if you need to evacuate.
- Post emergency telephone numbers by your phones, in your wallet or purse and make sure your children know how and when to call 911.
- Stock nonperishable emergency supplies and a disaster supply kit. (Source: American Red Cross)
There are six basics you should stock for your home: water, food, first aid supplies, clothing and bedding, tools and emergency supplies, and special items. Keep the items in an easy-to carry container, such as a covered trash container, backpack, or duffle bag. Click here for a recommended list of items.
What Is Suspicious Activity?
Residents may observe a variety of actions, statements, associations, timing or patterns of activity that create suspicions of illegal conduct. No one has a better perspective about what defines “normal” in Georgia communities, than the people who live there. Law Enforcement has long relied upon the common sense perceptions of Georgia citizens who notice something or someone that appears suspicious or out of place.
Who Should I Call To Make A Report?
Call your local police or sheriff, or the nearest Georgia State Patrol Post.
Tell the operator you want to make a suspicious activity report. Ask the operator to alert Georgia Homeland Security. Your local law enforcement agency will contact the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center called GISAC. Agents from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation or the FBI will be assigned to carefully check-out your information.
Should I Give Police My Name And Contact Number?
Yes! If you want your report to be taken seriously, you should be willing to give your name and contact information to investigators. Someone from Georgia Homeland Security will want to talk to you personally in order to understand the full details of your information and take appropriate action in a timely manner.
Will My Identity Be Protected?
Yes! Reports to Georgia Homeland Security are considered an important part of America’s ongoing investigation into the War on Terrorism. Investigators will need to know your name and contact numbers in order to do their job, but the State of Georgia will make every effort to keep your identity confidential.
Do I Have To Talk To The News Media?
No! No one who makes a report to Georgia Homeland Security is required to speak with the news media. Georgia Homeland Security will not release your name to reporters. The decision to remain anonymous to the public, or to speak with the news media is left completely up to you.
How Should I Focus My Attention?
Everyone should be especially mindful of suspicious activity around what Homeland Security calls “Critical Infrastructure”. These sites are places or facilities where damage or destruction could cause an interruption of service, or result in serious injury or death.
What Should I Watch For?
Georgians should immediately report people who photograph, videotape, sketch or seek blueprints for: Dams, drinking water supplies and water treatment facilities; Major highway intersections, bridges and tunnels; Ports, transportation hubs, airports and shipping facilities; Electric plants and substations, nuclear facilities and transmission towers; Pipelines and tank farms; Military installations, law enforcement agencies, and defense contract sites; Hospitals and health research facilities; Internet, phone, cable, and communications facilities and towers; And capitol, court, and government buildings. Suspicious activity around historic structures and national landmarks should also be reported.
Is My Awareness Really That Important?
Intelligence agents at the Georgia Information Sharing and Analysis Center (GISAC) have investigated an average of one Homeland Security tip every day for nearly a year since the 9/11 attacks. Homeland Security Coordinator Robert Hightower says he is proud of the many Georgians who have helped keep the State safe from attacks by reporting suspicious activity.
Additional Resources:
The Camden County Sheriff's Office has compiled the following list of resources.
The Camden County Sheriff's Office does not endorse any content hyperlinked below. The following sites are periodically checked to confirm that they are still available. However, The Camden County Sheriff's Office does not maintain the content for the hyperlinks provided and content is subject to change at anytime. If you find a link that is no longer available or you have any questions or concerns about a link provided below, please contact our webmaster.
PDF Documents
Homeland Security and You (American Red Cross) 
Citizen Guidance on the Homeland Security Advisory System (DHS)
Shelter-In-Place (American Red Cross)
Anti-Terrorism Links
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
http://www.ready.gov
State of Georgia Office of Homeland Security
http://www.gahomelandsecurity.com |
