Suspicious vehicle detectionFree program to detect suspicious vehicles unveiled
Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by the TSA, the First Observer program encourages parking lot operators to watch for oddities such as improperly parked cars, civilians conducting surveillance, and strange odors such as diesel from gasoline vehicles
First Observer program logo // Source: palmertrucks.com
A parking-specific anti-terrorism training program called First Observer was developed by TSA with the International Parking Institute(IPI). IPI, the largest association of parking professionals in the $25 billion industry, aims to instruct thousands of parking industry employees nationwide to detect and report suspicious looking vehicles free of charge.
Funded by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and administered by the TSA, the program encourages parking lot operators to watch for oddities such as improperly parked cars, civilians conducting surveillance, and strange odors such as diesel from gasoline vehicles.
The program is part of the 9/11 effort to enlist everyday citizens as safeguards against potential acts of terrorism. Asides from parking lot attendants, valets, and meter maids, the program encourages people from all walks of life to speak up if they “See Something” as popularized by MTA’s 2002 campaign to encourage commuters to voice any concerns.
Don Aviv, chief operating officer of the security firm Interfor and managing director of the firm’s physical security group, commented on the importance of inculcating the importance of security: “In Israel,” Aviv says, “every single person, from children to adults, know exactly what to do if they see an unattended package or suitcase. The greatest technology in the world can’t replace training the population.” (“How to protect Times Square — and other highly traveled areas,” 11 May 2010 HSNW)
Aviv also suggested that patrolling cops should increase their general vigilance and perhaps scan more license plates of idling vehicles.
Proponents of the IPI program point to instances where alertness or lack thereof came into play. The SUV in the attempted Times Square bombing by Faisal Shahzad was parked illegally on the street and had its engine running. In 1995 Timothy McVeigh was reported to have surveyed his getaway route by parking in an alley near the Oklahoma City federal building with a note asking for it not to be towed, allowing him to rehearse his escape.
The online program has a general trucking module that raises awareness among road professionals and drivers while the parking caters more towards parking professionals.