With the recent surge of public knowledge regarding US Borders and the influx of thousands of OTMs (other-than-Mexicans) coming across illegally. The recent segment by channel 2 WSBTV that has been circling the internet shows the problem very well. Everyone knows that the threat of terrorist attacks are increasing daily. Public knowledge and awareness must be increased regarding suspicious activity. A proper expertise should be utilized. "By Citizens"... Yes,... by Citizens.

Citizens can be taught what to look for regarding suspicious activity. What American isn't addicted to cop shows. Americans own more firearms than any other country in the World, and by God we can be taught to snoop like the French!

To begin with "Suspicious Persons" are a good place to start. I am reminded that several US Border and Customs agents (as well as many beat cops) that have caught bad guys, by simply acknowledging their existence. Let them know that they aren't invisible. They had the audacity to look at the person and say a few simple words. "Hello, can I help you with anything?" That alone is enough to send the inside guts of would-be evil doers wrenching with fear. The hair on the back of their neck's stand up, their foreheads bead with sweat. Well, you get the idea that it doesn't take a rocket scientist to see that something's up here. Just ask terrorist Ahmad Ressam. "Ohh yeah" someone else already did; and that's how he got caught with bomb paraphernalia.

Other indicators of suspicious activity are: In Vehicles at odd times; Seen exiting secured locations; Loitering near transportation systems; In the vicinity of potential targets; Wearing odd clothing; As you can see, odd and suspicious behavior is indeed odd and suspicious. An example here may be, seeing someone suspicious near a hospital's X-ray unit. Sense x-ray machines contain some radioactive ingredients that are used to make dirty bombs; this would be a good indicator of potential motive and target.

Ask them for "Bonafides". This is simply proof that they are who they say they are. Check their IDs. One clever "Ruse", is to ask them if they know a made up person. If they say yes, you know that they are lying as to who they are and what they are doing. You say, does that still work? Yes, but only on OTMs that come from the Middle East, and spent 3 months learning Spanish in Peru; then to be shipped to Mexico and have to cross the dessert and enter illegally. Yeah, that should work.

You see American citizens can be taught these techniques. They can be taught where our most vital targets are. They can be shown disarm techniques. What, did I say disarm techniques. Yes, I did. Lets face it. Most American citizens have either served in the Military or have taken a self-defense or Martial arts class already. Why not train them in kidnapping counters, assassination counters, knife and gun defense?

If citizens were taught knife defense; travesties such as the 9/11 catastrophe might have been prevented. You can learn knife strip techniques from the Counter Terrorism For The Average American Video Series.

I have instructed citizens in many Terrorism topics with success. That is why I choose to work with citizen training. We have proven time and time again that citizens can be taught these skills. Please don't be afraid to learn and try.