Potential Indicators of Terrorist Activities Related to Hobby Shops
What Should I Consider Suspicious?
Behavior Indicators
- Demonstrating unusual interest in remote-controlled aircraft.
- Demonstrating interest that does not seem genuine.
- Inquiring about remote controls and model aircraft payload capacity and maximum range.
- Inquiring about learning to fly expensive giant-scale aircraft without first learning to fly small-scale aircraft.
- Possessing little knowledge of activity for which the purchase is intended.
- Exhibiting unusual interest or specific interest in rocket motors or igniters.
- Demonstrating no interest or enthusiasm for the hobby or sport.
- Shoplifting or purchasing:
- Large quantity of model aircraft fuel.
- Several large aircraft, engines, or transmitters.
- Model rocket motor igniters without adequate knowledge.
- Large quantity of paintball equipment and supplies with very little information about local paintball activities.
- Using cash for large transactions or a credit card in someone else’s name.
Note: It is important to remember that just because someone's speech, actions, beliefs, appearance, or way of life is different, it does not mean that he or she is suspicious.
What Should I Do?
Be Part of the Solution
- Require valid ID from all new customers.
- Keep records of purchases.
- Talk to customers, ask questions, and listen to and observe their responses.
- Watch for people and actions that are out of place.
- Make note of suspicious statements, people, and/or vehicles.
- If something seems wrong, notify law enforcement authorities.
Do not jeopardize your safety or the safety of others.
Preventing terrorism is a community effort. By learning what to look for, you can make a positive contribution in the fight against terrorism. The partnership between the community and law enforcement is essential to the success of anti-terrorism efforts.
Some of the activities, taken individually, could be innocent and must be examined by law enforcement professionals in a larger context to determine whether there is a basis to investigate. The activities outlined on this handout are by no means all-inclusive but have been compiled from a review of terrorist events over several years.
Osceola County Sheriff's Office
407-348-2222
