See and Say

The NYC Metropolitan Transit Authority launched its If You See Something, Say Something campaign eight years ago and the logo has since been licensed to over 50 organizations.  The program is now expanding its reach into General Aviation.  Explaining why the DHS  is adopting a program for that sector, U.S. Secretary of HLS Napolitano noted that “Time and again we have seen the role the public can play in helping alert authorities to potential terrorist plots or criminal activity.”  She was addressing an audience at the annual Oshkosh air show.

Detractors of the General Aviation Secure Program claim that the sector is managing its security just fine,

 following TSA security guidelines and that the program would be a waste of money.  Others question the effectiveness of asking a population that knows little about terrorist methods, to work on the front lines of security.  And still other critics note that back in May, the street vendor who alerted police in Times Square to the bomb-filled SUV, did not call the MTA emergency number.  He used common sense to alert police, as most people would if and when they see something ‘going down’.

Me, I think it’s a good campaign that has increased general public awareness to the issue of terrorism, and enhanced individuals’ sense of personal responsibility.  Some cities are installing extensive CCTV systems as part of their security measures.  But unlike a camera, a pedestrian, passenger or vendor can not only see the suspicious object or person, but can cognitively assess the potential threat in context and in that moment inform the appropriate authority. 

What would make this See and Say program a true force multiplier would be to educate people more precisely about terrorist modes of operation.  And about predictive assessment methods.  These are generally useful tools that anyone can use within any environment or situation – beyond that of General Aviation.