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“I’d ask all individuals to be vigilant. Keep your eyes and ears open. Be watchful and vigilant of suspicious activity in and around public places and transit stations and report anything suspicious. You are the first line of defense,” Ted Jankowski, the city's director of Public Safety, Health, and Welfare, said in a statement sent by his office.
The city will continue its heightened security with police presence at prominent locations throughout the city until more information about the events in Boston becomes known, the statement said. The city does not have any specific information of any possible threats, it said.
People should trust themselves and report anything that they feel is suspicious to law enforcement officials, the statement said. Religion, race, ethnicity or national origin of people alone are not suspicious, the statement said.
Suspicious activities and situations include:
• An unattended backpack in a public place; • Someone placing a package or luggage in a public place or area and walking away; • Anyone tampering with surveillance cameras, safety systems or other sensitive equipment; • People videotaping, sketching or taking notes at public places or on transit equipment, facilities or security equipment; • Someone trying to break into a restricted area. People entering unauthorized areas at public places, train or bus stations; • Attempts to abandon a vehicle in or near public places, transit parking facility or cars in a parking lot without proper tags and license plates; and • Suspicious activity or loitering around public places or transportation facilities.
Here are tips of what to do and not do from the release:
If you observe suspicious behavior:
• Do not take direct action • Do not confront the individual • Do not reveal your suspicions • Do record as many details as possible • Do notify appropriate authorities as soon as possible
If you observe a suspicious package:
• Do not touch or move any suspicious objects • Do not use a cell phone or radio in the direct vicinity • Do evacuate the area to a safe distance • Do notify appropriate authorities as soon as possible
Tips can be submitted to the state’s Department of Emergency Services and Public Protection, Emergency Management and Public Protection by calling 1-866-HLS-TIPS.
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