For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
Contact: 202-282-8010
Trenton, N.J. - Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Janet Napolitano and Senator Frank Lautenberg today joined New Jersey State Police Deputy Superintendent of Homeland Security Lt. Col. Jerome Hatfield to announce the state-wide expansion of DHS' national "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign across New Jersey - raising public awareness and strengthening security throughout the state as the busy holiday season commences.
"Homeland security begins with hometown security, and everyone has a role to play in keeping our country safe and secure," said Secretary Napolitano. "Expanding the 'If You See Something, Say Something' campaign across New Jersey will help ensure citizens know how to identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper law enforcement authorities."
"Terrorists are looking for any way possible to harm Americans, cause destruction and wreak havoc," said Senator Lautenberg, Chairman of the Senate Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee. "During this busy travel season, it is especially critical that New Jerseyans be vigilant and mindful that the fight against terrorism begins with each of us. Everyone must step up and speak up."
The "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign—originally implemented by New York City's Metropolitan Transportation Authority and funded, in part, by $13 million from DHS' Transit Security Grant Program—is a simple and effective program to engage the public and key frontline employees to identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to the proper transportation and law enforcement authorities.
This state-wide expansion will bring the "If You See Something, Say Something" message to residents of New Jersey, as well as travelers and visitors during the busy holiday season—utilizing advertisements on New Jersey public transit throughout the state, as well as in movie theaters, gas stations and on local radio stations in the Atlantic City and Trenton, N.J. areas.
The expansion of the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign throughout New Jersey also leverages the state’s active participation in the national Suspicious Activity Reporting (SAR) initiative—an administration effort to train state and local law enforcement to recognize behaviors and indicators related to specific terrorist threats and related crime—and underscores DHS’ continued commitment to working with and providing resources to the state and local law enforcement community while engaging the public in identifying and reporting suspicious activity.
Since the beginning of the summer, DHS has worked closely with its state, local and private sector partners to expand the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign to communities throughout the country—launching new partnerships with organizations including the American Hotel & Lodging Association (AH&LA), Amtrak, the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA), the general aviation industry and state and local fusion centers.
In the coming months, the Department will continue to expand the "If You See Something, Say Something" campaign nationally with public education materials and outreach tools designed to engage America's businesses, communities, and citizens to remain vigilant and play an active role in keeping the county safe.
