SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING

Year round, Vermont's quality of life, attractions, and many public events afford Vermonters and visitors alike many opportunities to enjoy all that our wonderful state has to enjoy.  Often, these attributes are celebrated with various kinds of public gatherings.  We encourage everyone to take advantage of all that Vermont has to offer.

However, law enforcement authorities would like to remind those attending any large or small event or other large group settings around the state, that these events are an ongoing safety and security concern for organizers and police.  We’d like to invite folks who attend these events to enjoy, but also be wary of suspicious activity.

The Vermont Intelligence Center would like to announce a revamped tip program.  Called “See Something, Say Something”, it is an awareness campaign and a tip hotline aimed at giving citizens the information and tools to report suspicious activity, at any time or place. 

“See Something, Say Something” is a brand utilized by many states across the country.  The message is simple: please speak up if you witness any unusual behavior.  We need all Vermonters to speak up to keep our communities safe. 

To report suspicious activities, a new tip hotline has been established in Vermont at 844-848-8477.  Vtips can also be utilized for internet based reporting.  In both reporting methods a person can remain anonymous if they wish. Phone calls and web tips are forwarded to the Vermont Intelligence Center, which is the state’s Fusion Center.

Folks are also encouraged to call 911, if an immediate police response is needed.

Vermont law enforcement agencies, Vermont Intelligence Center and first responders wish to reassure citizens that authorities are ever vigilant.  This is our commitment, and pledge, every day of the year.  But we have strength in numbers, and law enforcement welcomes the vigilance of the public.  Officers will be out in force around the state at major events to protect participants.  However we encourage anyone who witnesses strange or unusual behavior at these events or elsewhere around the state, to alert officers on scene, utilize the “See Something, Say Something” tip line, or call 911 immediately. 

Please alert law enforcement if: 

• If you see a package, backpack or any other item left unattended.

• If you witness someone taking pictures of infrastructure items, access points, or other security related activities.

• If you witness the same car and/or person parked in a sensitive location.

• If you see behavior that strikes you as odd or out-of-place.

We encourage the public to keep this theme in mind year-round.  While major events with large gatherings are a concern, so is every event or place in Vermont, large or small.  Law enforcement cannot be everywhere all the time.  But our citizens are, and we hope if you “See Something”, you will “Say Something”. 

The Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) Initiative (NSI) is a joint collaborative effort by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement partners.   To increase the effectiveness of this multifaceted approach, the NSI has developed training programs for frontline officers and hometown security partners.  Visit their website for information on their online training programs.

For more information about the Vermont program please contact the VIC supervisor:

Capt. Shawn Loan - 802-872-6111