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STREET
SECURITY-KNOW WHO'S WHO
Gang
members, missionaries, workers, domestics, laborers, glue sniffers,
and beggars. How to identify and avoid potential threats:
Hostiles
Gang Member Profiles:
· Unkempt appearance, baggy clothing, tattoos and superior
or aggressive
demeanors, i.e. "attitudes"
· Loose clothes to hide weapons such as chimbas (pipe guns)
and knives and cover tattoos when casing a place, person, or vehicle
· 95% are between ages 14-25 years
· Longer hair or "skin heads"
· Groups of 2-4, slow-moving, constantly scoping houses,
gates, doors, windows, and parked cars
· Sometimes one of the group will "work" the opposite
side of the street.
· One member always checking their "six" - watching
back.
Other
Hostiles:
· The fake water delivery or "Agua Azul ruse" -
look for the truck before opening a door.
· Mango stick youths usually work alone or in small groups
and may carry a 1-2 meter metal pipe or wood pole.
· The "mango stick" is for breaking car windows,
etc.
ACTION:
·
Call the Police, your security provider, or company management to
request extra security coverage.
·
Raise your security awareness of your surroundings through observation
and mental preparation, to include how you can avoid trouble areas,
high-risk situations, and what actions you would perform if faced
with a threat.
Non
Hostiles: Profile
· Hair neatly trimmed; well groomed appearance
· Clean, non-baggy clothes
· "Mochilla" or pack - not too full
· Walking with purpose from Point A to Point B, with destination
in mind
· Not constantly scoping residences and potential targets
· Normally wearing shoes
Religious
canvassers:
Mormons
always travel in pairs wearing white shirt, ties and nametags.
Jehovah's
Witnesses - normally travel in groups of 2-5; all women sometimes
with children; usually seen only on weekends and offer "WatchTower"
and "Awake" publication first.
·
Some passersby are off-duty watchmen aka: "vigilantes"
and may be carrying a machete. (Note: Their machetes are usually
carried in sheaths unlike most campesinos.) Some may carry a handgun
or shotgun. However, if they are clean, have a mochilla and are
not "lingering" except in their own work area, they probably
do not represent a threat.
Potential
Hostiles:
· Laborers - sometimes stare, linger, and scope people and
property
· Sniffers: glue sniffers carry baby food jars or one quart
plastic oil cans and STP type containers in hand and wear old, dirty
clothes; have been occasionally seen completely nude.
· 50% of time they are barefoot or one foot bare; eyes red;
scraggly hair-beard; majority 10-20 years old, some 25-40.
· Beggars: old clothes, frequently no shoes, no mochilla;
up to 50% female - females tend to work fixed locations; males wander
comparatively more.
· Do not go near or give beggars and children handouts of
food or money. Use legitimate channels to donate to charities.
· Street People - similar to beggars, even worse condition,
limited movement.
· May have a contagious disease or some physical deformity
or psychiatric disorder - i.e. "troubled persons".
Action:
· Call the Police, your security provider, or company management
to request extra security coverage. Provide information regarding
who, what, where, when. Report name of resident, your location,
description of individual's age and direction of movement.
·
Raise your security awareness of your surroundings through observation
and mental preparation, to include how you can avoid trouble areas,
high-risk situations, and what actions you would perform if faced
with a threat.
·
Report name of resident/ your location, description of individual's
age and direction. Keep a pad of paper and writing instrument in
your vehicle and by your telephone to note descriptions of suspicious
persons, vehicles, and incidents.
RSO: Revised 07/10/02
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