Behind the Badge
While the conversation surrounding domestic terror attacks has become increasingly significant, the question of prevention often arises: What should residents be mindful of, and what should they do if they come across something that causes concern?
To raise public awareness of terrorism or terrorism-related crimes, Safe OC, the localized version of the national “If You See Something, Say Something” anti-terrorism public awareness campaign, provides detailed guidance on identifying and reporting suspicious activity.
“When we think of suspicious activity, we’re not looking specifically at people,” says Lieutenant Mike Monjaraz, Public Information Officer for the Orange Police Department. “We’re looking at behavior. These attacks always have a planning component, and it’s an opportunity for the public to catch behaviors or actions that seem out of the ordinary.”
Domestic terror attacks can manifest in numerous ways, says Monjaraz, and to limit our idea of how these attacks can come to fruition would be a mistake.
Domestic terrorism is defined by the federal government as ideologically driven crimes committed by individuals within the United States, intended to intimidate or coerce a civilian population or influence the policy or conduct of a government.
The Federal Bureau of Investigation and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security have divided these threats into general categories, which include racially or ethnically motivated extremism, anti-government or anti-authority extremism, animal rights or environmental extremism, and abortion-related extremism. Other ideological agendas may also appear.
“From physical violence or active shooters to using fire as a weapon, or even cyber-attacks that impact critical infrastructure, domestic terrorism is a broad arena that can take many forms,” he says. “We can’t rule anything out.”
For instance, as a precursor to domestic attacks, one might notice someone surveilling and photographing locations, trying to access sensitive data, or purchasing unusual materials that could be used to build an object to cause harm.
Shifts in demeanor such as isolation or expressing radical ideologies can also be a potential indicator to consider. Residents may even encounter suspicious activity online, such as people espousing extremist views to recruit others.
However, while these traits can signal a threat, Monjaraz says, it’s important to note that not every instance or person demonstrating these behaviors results in domestic terrorism.
“Just be mindful. Be aware,” he says. “And if you think it’s suspicious enough, report it to the authorities.”
To report, residents should call 911 or their local law enforcement agency and provide as much information as possible, including physical descriptions of the individuals involved, the location, and specific behaviors causing alarm.
When reporting something found online, taking videos or screenshots of the content is highly recommended, considering the fleeting nature of the internet.
“Documenting what you see is crucial because online, it’s here one day, gone the next,” Monjaraz says. “It just speaks to the urgency of notifying your local police department as soon as you see something.”
The most important tip is to remain vigilant of the world around you, both online and in person. Staying alert and speaking up when activity seems out of the ordinary helps build safer communities.
For instance, earlier this month, an employee at the Orange Police Department noticed a briefcase left in front of the department’s lobby doors and reported the case to the authorities. Responding officers determined the abandoned item was suspicious and called in the bomb squad to investigate further.
The package was ultimately deemed safe, containing only a flashlight, batteries, and paper. However, the incident serves as a reminder of the gravity of reporting anything you consider questionable.
“Your local police or sheriff’s department is the closest point of contact to help you have,” Monjaraz says. “So, if you see or hear something, report it as soon as you can and give us the opportunity to look into it.”
