Stationary Surveillance

Tony Scotti

Stationary surveillance is probably used most commonly by terrorist organizations. History indicates that most attacks take place near the residence. The reason for this is because that part of the route is hard to change or vary. Executives did not get to be executives because they arrive late for work. Ask any security driver and they will say that the bosses departure time from the home seldom varies. Most people are more vulnerable in the morning when departing for work, because morning departure times are more predictable than are evening arrivals.

Being alert during this period of time is important for the driver and executive/principal. Surveillants will seek a position that permits them to observe the residence or office clearly without being observed or suspected. If the surveillants decide that it is best not to be seen, they may obtain an apartment in the area, which provides an adequate view, but such apartments may not be available and the renting of an apartment could provide clues for a subsequent investigation. The use of an apartment for surveillance, while possibly the most difficult to detect, is generally not the easiest or safest method.

Many surveillance teams use vans with windows in the side or back that permit observation from the interior of the van. Often the van will have the name of a store or utility company to provide some pretext for its being in the area. The driver may park the van and walk away, leaving the surveillance team inside. Some teams use automobiles for stationary surveillance, parking the vehicle far enough from the residence or office to be less noticeable, using other vehicles for cover, facing the vehicle away from the target, and using the rear view mirrors to watch.

Where it is possible to watch the residence unobserved, surveillants must come up with a plausible reason for being in the area. The types of ruses used are limited only by the surveillant's imagination. Some of the more commonly used covers are automotive repairs due to engine trouble or a flat tire, door-to-door sales, utility repair crews, lovers in a park, walking a dog, construction work, or sitting at a cafe. Women and children are often used to give a greater appearance of innocence.

Some things to check for are parked vehicles with people in them, cars with more mirrors or mirrors that are larger than normal, people seen in the area more frequently than seems normal, people who are dressed inappropriately and workers who seem to accomplish nothing.

If you become suspicious of a van, note any information printed on the side of the van, including telephone numbers. Check the telephone book to see if such a business exists, or call the number. Note the license numbers of any suspicious vehicles and provide them to your security officer so they can be checked. Make a habit of checking the neighborhood through a window before you go out each day. Consider photographing any unusual individuals or activities, discreetly if possible.

Detecting surveillance requires a fairly constant state of alertness and, therefore, must become an unconscious habit that you form. Do not encourage paranoia, but a good sense of what is normal and what is unusual in your surroundings could be more important than any other type of security precaution you could take. Above all, do not hesitate to report any unusual event. Many people who have been kidnapped realized afterwards that their suspicions had been well founded. If those suspicions had been reported, their ordeal might have been avoided.