What is Terrorism? Terrorism is the unlawful use of force or violence against persons or property to intimidate or coerce a government or its citizens in furtherance of certain political or social objectives. The FBI divides terrorism into two categories: domestic and international. Domestic terrorism is based and executed in the United States by our own citizens without foreign direction. International terrorism, which is connected to foreign governments or groups, transcends our nation's boundaries. Terrorist acts against U.S. citizens can occur anywhere in the world.

Investigating Terrorism: The FBI has primary responsibility for investigating terrorism matters in the U.S., but has recognized the best way to do this is in a partnership with other agencies. Locally, the Norfolk FBI's Tidewater Joint Terrorism Task Force (TJTTF), composed of local, state and federal agencies, is working jointly with other non-member agencies to investigate terrorism matters throughout the Hampton Roads area.

How can you help? The TJTTF is seeking your assistance in preventing terrorist acts. Certain activities can indicate that terrorist planning is occurring, especially when these activities take place at or near key facilities such as government, military, utility, or other high profile sites, or places where large numbers of people gather. Suspicious activity of interest to the TJTTF may include:

1. SURVEILLANCE: Are you aware of anyone recording or monitoring activities, taking notes, using cameras/maps/binoculars, etc., near key facilities?
2. SUSPICIOUS QUESTIONING: Are you aware of anyone attempting to gain information in person, by phone, mail, e-mail, etc., regarding a key facilities or its personnel?
3. TESTS OF SECURITY: Are you aware of any attempts to penetrate or test physical security/procedures at a key facilities?
4. ACQUIRING SUPPLIES: Are you aware of anyone attempting to improperly acquire explosives, weapons, ammunition, dangerous chemicals, uniforms, badges, flight manuals, access cards or identification for key facilities or to legally obtain items under suspicious circumstances which could be used in a terrorism attack?
5. SUSPICIOUS PERSONS: Are you aware of anyone who does not appear to belong in the workplace, neighborhood, or business establishment or near a key facility?
6. DRY RUNS: Have you observed any behavior which appears to be practice for terrorist activity such as mapping out routes, playing out scenarios with other people, monitoring key facilities, timing traffic lights or traffic flow, or other suspicious activity?
7. DEPLOYING ASSETS: Have you observed any abandoned vehicles, stockpiling of suspicious materials, or persons deploying near a key facilities?
   

HATE CRIMES against an individual or group based on their religion, race or ethnicity may also rise to the level of a terrorist act and should immediately be reported to the TJTTF.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO? If you detect suspicious activity which may relate to terrorism, please contact the TJTTF or your local police department as soon as possible.

In 2002, the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice, published a useful guide entitled United for a Stronger America:  Citizens' Preparedness Guide that provides more information about how citizens can participate in the prevention of terrorism. Another on-line resource, Terrorism - Awareness and Prevention,¹ put out by the Pennsylvania Commission on Crime and Delinquency, was created to help educate citizens about the realities and myths of terrorists and terrorism. It also provides guidance on what individuals can do to help in protecting their communities.