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Metropolitan Police Department
Operation TIPP: A Program Designed to Detect and Prevent Terrorism in the Nation’s Capital
July 13, 2005

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METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
WASHINGTON, DC

OPERATION TIPP

A Program Designed to Detect and Prevent Terrorism in the Nation’s Capital

WASHINGTON, DC

Anthony A. Williams
Mayor

Charles H. Ramsey
Chief

Here’s a “TIPP” we can all use
Preventing terrorism is everybody’s business

Why Operation TIPP?

It is no surprise that terrorism continues to be a threat in the United States. What may be surprising, however, is that some terrorists use materials and equipment that are generally available in the marketplace. Some terrorists may attempt to portray themselves as legitimate customers in order to procure the goods they need, while others may attempt to steal them.

In either case, it is usually an individual business or service organization that will be the first to notice something out of the ordinary When that happens, it is critical that these suspicions be immediately passed on to law enforcement, so that the information can be examined, evaluated and, if necessary, acted upon.

That is why the Metropolitan Police Department created Operation TIPP (Terrorist Incident Prevention Program): to make it easy for businesses, service agencies and other organizations in the National Capital Region to get directly involved in terrorism prevention.

Operation TIPP has two key parts: 1) educating businesses within very specific industries on what to look out for in the way of suspicious activity related to their industry; and 2) providing easy and convenient ways — including a confidential toll-free telephone number (1-877-YOUWATCH) -- for businesses to report suspicious activity to the police.

The MPD encourages all businesses in the DC area to become familiar with Operation TIPP and to become actively involved in terrorism prevention.

What To Look For

If terrorists have demonstrated anything, it is innovation and creativity in devising ways to attack. There is no one plan of assault they are likely to use, but rather a wide range of possible methods that could be used. Terrorists almost always rely on the element of surprise, in an attempt to catch their targets off guard.

Operation TIPP tries to take away that element of surprise by educating and empowering the business community and others in knowing how to spot suspicious activity that may be related to terrorism.

The Metropolitan Police Department has identified more than four dozen separate industries and services that terrorists could potentially target. All of them have legitimate materials, equipment or services that could be misused by terrorists plotting attack.

For each industry or service, the MPD has identified a number of very specific activities that may be of concern to law enforcement. Through Operation TIPP, the MPD is making this information available to individual businesses within the identified industry or service groups. This is accomplished through customized mailings to businesses, as well as coordination with major business and industry groups in the region. As a follow-up to the initial distribution of materials, the MPD is dispatching Distribution Information Teams to meet with individual businesses and organizations, to go over the materials and answer questions.

Finally, the Department is reminding all business owners, supervisors and employees on how to describe and report suspicious persons and vehicles (see the back panel of this brochure for more information).

What to Do

Recognizing and being able to describe suspicious activity is the first step in terrorism prevention. But by itself, that's not enough.

Businesses and other organizations need an easy-to-use, reliable and confidential way to provide their information to law enforcement.

Operation TIPP meets that need through a round-the-clock, toll-free Terrorism Prevention Hotline: 1-877-YOU-WATCH (1-877-9689282). Alternatively, calls may be placed to (202) 727-9099. Information can also be mailed to the Intelligence Section of the Metropolitan Police Department, 300 Indiana Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20001.

Calls to the Terrorism Prevention Hotline are answered by trained police professionals from the Metropolitan Police Department. All calls to the hotline are confidential, and callers need not provide their names or contact information. However, the MPD does encourage callers to provide their names, to support any follow-up investigations that may be needed.

The information that is collected is then forwarded to appropriate anti-terrorism officials in the MPD and, if appropriate, other law enforcement or homeland security agencies.

How You Can Help

The key to success of Operation TIPP -- and, ultimately, the key to preventing terrorist incidents in our nations capital-is cooperation between law enforcement and the community. Operation TIPP is an easy, but extremely valuable way to promote the sharing of information that can be critical to the early detection and prevention of terrorist plots.

But the program will be only as successful as the extent to which it is used by the community. Here are a few of the ways that the business community can help support this initiative:

Educate yourselves and your employees. The information developed for Operation TIPP is easy-to-read, easy-to-understand and customized for specific industry or service groups. Share the information with your executives, supervisors and line employees. Make sure they are clear on what they should be looking for, and what to do when they see something suspicious.

Ask questions. The Distribution Information Teams that the Metropolitan Police Department will dispatch to the community can provide a wealth of information about the program and terrorism in general. Take advantage of their visits and other resources. It's critical that all industry partners are well versed and vigilant in this area.

Use the hotline. Anti-terrorism leads are developed only when law enforcement has information to analyze and follow up. Generating useful information is the primary purpose of Operation TIPP, so it's critical that our partners use the hotline and other means for reporting suspicious activity. If you're not sure about whether something is really suspicious, go ahead and call. It's better to err on the side of caution.

Provide feedback. Operation TIPP is a dynamic program, and the MPD is constantly seeking ways to make the initiative better. If you have ideas on ways to improve the program or have additional additional information that you think should be shared via Operation TIPP, please contact the MPD's Special Operations Division at (202) 727-4631.

How to Describe or Report Suspicious Behavior

Person

Sex
Race
Height
Weight
Build (medium, heavy)
Hair (color, length, include facial hair)
Complexion (light, dark, olive)
Peculiarities (scars, tattoos, missing limbs)
Clothing (from head to toe, style, etc.)
Weapons (if any)
Method of transportation (direction, vehicle, etc.)

Vehicle

License Plate (most important)

Year, make, model & color

Body type (2 door, 4 door, van, SUV)

Passengers (number of people in vehicle)

Damage or anything unusual (logos, etc.)

DO NOT TAKE DIRECT ACTION,

Call (202) 727-9099
OR
1-877-YOU-WATCH

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT
300 INDIANA AVENUE, NW . WASHINGTON, DC 2000I
WWW.MPDC.DC.GOV

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Dear Business Community Partner:

Detecting and preventing terrorism truly is everybody's business. That is why the Metropolitan Police Department is reaching our to a wide spectrum of businesses and industries across the Washington, DC metropolitan area to enlist your support in the battle against terrorism.

The enclosed packet introduces the MPD's new Operation TIPP -- Terrorist Incident Prevention Program. Operation TIPP has two key components: 1) educating our partners in the business community on what' you can do to detect suspicious activity in your particular business or industry that may be related to terrorism, and 2) providing an easy, reliable and confidential way for you and your employees to report suspicious activity to the police through the MPD's toll-free Terrorist Incident Prevention Hotline at 1-877-YOU-WATCH (or, alternatively, 202-727.9099).

As the enclosed program materials explain, there is an ongoing concern that individuals seeking to commit acts_ of terrorism-while portraying themselves as legitimate customers-may look to purchase or lease certain materials or equipment or undergo formalized training to acquire certain skills or licenses. There is also a concern that such individuals may simply steal certain types of vehicles, equipment or materials in the inventory of legitimate businesses. Whatever the method, these items, once acquired, could be used to facilitate a terrorist plot.

Operation TIPP is designed to make it easy to report suspicious conduct that you and your employees may observe-conduct that may not be criminal per se, but may raise your suspicion because it does not match your experiences in dealing with legitimate customer requests. Through Operation TIPP, this information can be analyzed and followed up, as needed, by the appropriate authorities. In short, Operation TIPP is intended to encourage and facilitate an exchange of information between industry and law enforcement as we work toward our common goal of preventing terrorism and protecting our communities.

I encourage you to review the enclosed materials and get actively involved in Operation TIPP. How? By sharing the industry-specific information and tips with your supervisors and line employees. By displaying posters and other Operation TI-PP information in your workplace. By requesting an Operation TIPP presentation by the MPD. And by using the Terrorist Incident Prevention Hotline and other program resources. Together we can make the difference.

Thank you for your interest and participation. If you have any questions about Operation TIPP or would like to offer feedback on the program, please contact Commander Cathy Lanier, MPD Special Operations Division, at (202) 671-6505.

Sincerely,
Charles H. Ramsey
Chief of Police

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Parking Garages and Vehicle Storage Lots

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

Operation TIPP is based on the idea that certain legitimate businesses and industries may be exploited by terrorists who portray themselves as honest customers seeking to purchase, lease or somehow appropriate certain material, licenses and/or services to covertly further a terrorist plot.

The following examples of activity relating to your specific business, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

A vehicle remains unclaimed by its owner or exceeds the parking term agreement.
A vehicle appears weighted down for no apparent reason.
A vehicle emits a strange odor, such as a chemical (e.g., vinegar-like) or organic smell (e.g., fertilizer.)
A liquid substance, not normally associated with a vehicle, is observed leaking from the passenger compartment or trunk.
A vehicle contains metal cylinders, tanks or containers, or any unusual wiring.
The license plates on a vehicle do noT match.
The registration or inspection stickers appear altered or falsified. (Note: The Al Qaeda training manual states that, "The license plate number and county name should be falsified. Further, the digits should be numerous in order to prevent anyone from spotting and memorizing it.")

Your impressions and assessment based upon your professional/business experience are extremely valuable and should help guide you in determining if a customer request, a fact pattern or set of circumstances is unusual.

Please remember that the conduct, in and of itself, does not have to be criminal per se for you to report it to the MPD Terrorism Hotline, 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, at (202) 727-9099 or toll-free at 1-800-YOU-WATCH (968-9282).

In the event of a police emergency, please dial 911.

HOW YOUR BUSINESS AN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Transit System Token Booths/Entry Points

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

The following examples of activity relating to your specific business, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

Individual(s) bringing (or attempting to bring) unusual packages into the transit system (e.g., suitcases, boxes with wires protruding, cans, etc.) An individual hiding a package under his/her jacket (e.g., chidden object strapped to a person's body, beneath a jacket).
Suspicious comportment by an individual entering the subway: the subject is alone. Excessively nervous, perspiring, wearing bulky clothing that is inappropriate for the seasons temperature/weather conditions, etc.
Actions by a person that suggest he/she is trying to hide his identity (e.g., wearing a bulky hat, scarf or some other article of clothing to obscure his face) or the appearance of an individual wearing clerical garb/religious attire in what appears to be a means of disguising his true identity.
Unusual questions posed about the type of security in place at the train station/stop (e.g., presence of surveillance cameras, uniformed officers, etc.)
Overheard conversations in which individual (s) make unusual or alarming statements.
Individual(s) found in areas of the subway system that are off limits to customers (e.g., rooms with access to the electrical system, emergency stairwells, ventilation areas, etc.)
Individuals videotaping, sketching or photographing the subway station/platform or any other aspect of the transit system (e g., riding in the front passenger car and videotaping the tunnel; videotaping the interior of the motorman's/conductor's cab). An individual taking notes of the facility surroundings.
Individual(s) observed timing the arrival and departure of trains (e.g., use of a stopwatch).
Individual(s) observed loitering on the train platform, opting to let trains leave without boarding.
Suspicious individual(s), not familiar to you, entering the transit system and who are wearing transit workers clothing/official uniform items (e.g., reflective vest, hard-hat) or carrying equipment (tools) used in the repair and maintenance of the system.
Concern over the authenticity of credentials/identification passes of outside contractors supposedly performing work within the transit system.
The appearance of burn marks on the hands, face or fingers of someone seeking access to (or leaving) the transit system.

In the event of a police emergency, please dial 911.

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Marinas — Boat Sales, Watercraft Maintenance, Rentals and Storage

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

The following examples of activity relating to your specific business, though not fully inclusive may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

Moored boats for which the owner/leasee cannot be contacted over an extended period of time.
Boats that appear unusually weighted down.
Full payment by cash for the purchase of an expensive boat or several small boats, personal watercraft, outboard engines, gasoline tanks.
Purchase of a boat for a purported reason not typically compatible with the manufacturer's boat design (e.g., using a speedboat for supposed fishing expeditions.)
Purchasing inquiries related to small commercial or fishing vessels by individuals who seem to lack industry
knowledge, credentials or trade experience.
Dockside activity at unusual times (e.g., possible loading of suspicious materials under the cover of darkness or scuba trips conducted at night.)
Requests for private charter tours by individual who display an unusual interest in non-tourist attractions (e g., water treatment facilities, undergirding and buttresses of bridges, etc.)
Individuals who opt to lease dock space under a shortterm (per diem) rate and payment by cash, foregoing the considerably less expensive long-term lease selected by most customers, despite leaving a vessel moored for a protracted period of time.
Interest in the precise timing of dinner cruise ships or routes (e.g., observing someone using a stopwatch while studying a passing cruise ship).
Possible surveillance (e.g., use of binoculars) of maritime activity such as barges.
Individual purchases of paint or decals similar to those found on local security or police vessels by those without authority to do so, or the theft of same.
Discovery of painting patterns fashioned to resemble those of local security or police vessels.
Theft or purchasing attempts of harbor security uniforms, access badges, or related equipment.
]Maintenance request that involve unusual structural modifications (e.g., removal of seating, important fishing-related equipment, etc.), especially those that seem to reduce the ability of the vessel to perform in its normally expected role.
Demands to create additional voids or storage areas below decks, to dramatically increase fuel capacity or vessel speed or to place vertical metal plates (or other possible shrapnel producing materials) below decks or near the bow.

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Along Parade Routes and Special Events Locations

METROPOLITAN POLICE DEPARTMENT

In addition to this concern, business and locations-in general-along special event routes (e g., parades) or other areas designated for large-scale, scheduled, public gatherings (e.g., demonstrations, celebrations, street fairs, etc.) may be used by terrorist operatives to stage or facilitate a terrorist attack.

The following examples of activity relating to your specific business, though not fully inclusive, may be of possible concern to law enforcement:

The appearance of a suspicious vehicle (including bicycles with a package in the basket) parked near the area designated for the event to take place.
Actions by an individual that suggest the pre-event videotaping of the route or location (and surrounding area) for no apparent reason (i.e., no aesthetic value).
The sudden appearance of a new street vendor in an area adjacent to the event route or gathering location.
Unclaimed or suspicious packages/objects found along the special event route/location.
The very recent placement of a garbage can, postal mailbox, newspaper kiosk or other stationary object along the special event route/location.
Recent attempts by unknown individuals to gain access to your buildings roof overlooking the parade route/special event location.
Inquiries about short-term rental of an apartment or space above your store/business that also happens to offer a view of a parade route or special event location. (Terrorist operatives will often cohabitate to facilitate operational planning. Additionally, they may attempt to position themselves in an area that will ease their surveillance of potential targets.)
Suspicious inquiries by unknown individuals regarding;
Inquiries about the security measures anticipated for the event (e.g., extensive questioning as to the searching of backpacks, stopping of vehicles, etc.) Also, questions about the seating of public officials, dignitaries, or other VIPs at an event.

Your impressions and assessment based upon your professional/business experience is extremely valuable and should help guide you in determining if a customer request, a fact pattern or set of circumstances is unusual. Because your business is in close proximity to a parade route/special event location, your observations are extremely important.

Please remember that the conduct, in and of itself, does not have to be criminal per se, for you to report it to the MPD Terrorism Hotline, 24-hours a day, seven-days a week, at (202) 727-9099 or toll-free at (877) YOU-WATCH (968-9282).

In the event of a police emergency, please dial 911.

Metropolitan Police Department Operation TIPP: A Program Designed to Detect and Prevent Terrorism in the Nation’s Capital July 13, 2005

OPERATION TIPP

Here’s a “TIPP” we can all use Preventing terrorism is everybody’s business

Why Operation TIPP?

What To Look For

What to Do

How You Can Help

How to Describe or Report Suspicious Behavior

Person

Vehicle

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM Parking Garages and Vehicle Storage Lots

HOW YOUR BUSINESS AN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM Transit System Token Booths/Entry Points

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM Marinas — Boat Sales, Watercraft Maintenance, Rentals and Storage

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM Along Parade Routes and Special Events Locations

Metropolitan Police Department
Operation TIPP: A Program Designed to Detect and Prevent Terrorism in the Nation’s Capital
July 13, 2005

Here’s a “TIPP” we can all use
Preventing terrorism is everybody’s business

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Parking Garages and Vehicle Storage Lots

HOW YOUR BUSINESS AN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Transit System Token Booths/Entry Points

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Marinas — Boat Sales, Watercraft Maintenance, Rentals and Storage

HOW YOUR BUSINESS CAN HELP PREVENT TERRORISM
Along Parade Routes and Special Events Locations