The FBI Wants You to be Their SCUBA Spy
Marc Roussy
On February 1, 2012, the public intelligence website released a collection of 25 flyers in partnership with the FBI and DOJ intended for businesses and industry to "promote suspicious activity reporting". Each flyer is tailored to a specific business/industry from construction sites to tattoo shops.
The flyers advise of the potential indicators of terrorist/criminal behavior from the downright obvious behavioral indicator in Airport Service Providers: "Threatening comments and threats of violence against the US or individuals" to many mundane behaviors including always paying with cash at an Internet café.
Contained within this gross misuse of taxpayer funds is a flyer for dive/boat shops. Now for some of the suspicious activities to look out for next time you visit your local dive shop: an individual "purchasing more than one motorized underwater propelling device" nothing suspicious there; "exhibiting unusual behavior regarding dive tanks" I guess trying to inflate a balloon; "using cash for expensive transactions" the FBI doesn't seem to be a fan of the Federal Reserve note. And "Inquiring about "Rebreathing" equipment or certification to utilize rebreathing equipment (very costly) for extremely deep dives or extended dive times." There goes my dream of advancing my certification; I wouldn't want to be suspected of being a terrorist.
This document would be laughable if not for the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act where in section 1021(e) it states (in legalese) anyone suspected of terrorism or aiding a terrorist can be held indefinitely without trial or representation.
The author of the flyers attempts to divert any possible litigation that could be a result of this wild fear-mongering in the fine print at the bottom of the documents, let's highlight it to attempt to bring us back to reality: "Each indictor listed above, is by itself, lawful conduct or behavior and may also constitute the exercise of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In addition, there may be a wholly innocent explanation for conduct or behavior that appears suspicious in nature. For this reason, no single indicator should be the sole basis for law enforcement action. The totality of behavioral indicators and other relevant circumstances should be evaluated when considering any law enforcement response or action." If you are still in a state of fear, don't hesitate to call in your tips to (555) BAF-RAID.
On February 1, 2012, the public intelligence website released a collection of 25 flyers in partnership with the FBI and DOJ intended for businesses and industry to "promote suspicious activity reporting". Each flyer is tailored to a specific business/industry from construction sites to tattoo shops.
The flyers advise of the potential indicators of terrorist/criminal behavior from the downright obvious behavioral indicator in Airport Service Providers: "Threatening comments and threats of violence against the US or individuals" to many mundane behaviors including always paying with cash at an Internet café.
Contained within this gross misuse of taxpayer funds is a flyer for dive/boat shops. Now for some of the suspicious activities to look out for next time you visit your local dive shop: an individual "purchasing more than one motorized underwater propelling device" nothing suspicious there; "exhibiting unusual behavior regarding dive tanks" I guess trying to inflate a balloon; "using cash for expensive transactions" the FBI doesn't seem to be a fan of the Federal Reserve note. And "Inquiring about "Rebreathing" equipment or certification to utilize rebreathing equipment (very costly) for extremely deep dives or extended dive times." There goes my dream of advancing my certification; I wouldn't want to be suspected of being a terrorist.
This document would be laughable if not for the recently passed National Defense Authorization Act where in section 1021(e) it states (in legalese) anyone suspected of terrorism or aiding a terrorist can be held indefinitely without trial or representation.
The author of the flyers attempts to divert any possible litigation that could be a result of this wild fear-mongering in the fine print at the bottom of the documents, let's highlight it to attempt to bring us back to reality: "Each indictor listed above, is by itself, lawful conduct or behavior and may also constitute the exercise of rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution. In addition, there may be a wholly innocent explanation for conduct or behavior that appears suspicious in nature. For this reason, no single indicator should be the sole basis for law enforcement action. The totality of behavioral indicators and other relevant circumstances should be evaluated when considering any law enforcement response or action." If you are still in a state of fear, don't hesitate to call in your tips to (555) BAF-RAID.
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