Wonder what to do when seeing suspicious
activity on or near a waterway.
REPORT WHAT YOU SEE TO
1-877-24-WATCH (1-877-249-2824)
America's Waterway Watch (AWW),
a combined effort of the Coast Guard and its Reserve and
Auxiliary components, continues to grow, enlisting the active
participation of those who live, work or play around America's
waterfront areas. Coast Guard Reserve personnel concentrate on
connecting with businesses and government agencies, while
Auxiliarists focus on building AWW awareness among the
recreational boating public.
If you are a tow boat operator, a
recreational boater, a fisherman, a marina operator, or
otherwise live, work or engage in recreational activities around
America's waterways, the United States Coast Guard wants your
help in keeping these areas safe and secure. You can do this by
participating in its America's Waterway Watch (AWW)
program, a nationwide initiative similar to the well known and
successful Neighborhood Watch program that asks community
members to report suspicious activities to local law enforcement
agencies.
As a person who
spends much of your time on or near the water, you already know
what is normal and what is not, and you are well suited to
notice suspicious activities - activities possibly indicating
threats to our nation's homeland security. And as a participant
in America's Waterway Watch we urge you to adopt a
heightened sense of sensitivity toward unusual events or
individuals you may encounter in or around ports, docks,
marinas, riversides, beaches, or waterfront communities.
You should always
remember that people are not suspicious, behavior is.
And if you observe suspicious behavior or activity, you
should simply note the details and contact local law
enforcement. You are not expected to approach or
challenge anyone acting in a suspicious manner.
Additional Information on MARSEC Levels...link
"Am I witnessing a threat or a crime?"
Most of us have found ourselves wondering this at some time or
other. However, because we are not really sure, we tend to
ignore what we have just seen and, hoping it wasn't so, we
continue about our business. Prior to September 11, 2001 this
would have been an acceptable reaction. But times have changed,
and we no longer have that luxury.
