Maryland NRP Kicks-Off New Homeland Security Initiative

     Baltimore, Md. -- The Maryland Natural Resources Police (NRP), U.S. Coast Guard (USCG), and partners kicked off the "See Something, Say Something" campaign Thursday at the Baltimore Rowing Club in Baltimore City.
     NRP Superintendent Colonel George F. Johnson IV and Captain Mark O’Malley, USCG Captain the Port of Baltimore stressed the importance of citizens awareness to the mission of homeland security.
     “The program’s goal is to reach, educate and motivate the public to report suspicious maritime activity,” said Col. Johnson. “This heightened awareness will enhance Maryland’s ability to monitor areas not currently addressed through regular patrol and monitoring activities.”
     "See Something, Say Something" focuses on training citizens to recognize potential threats in Maryland waterways and their role in reporting suspicious activity. After participating in the program, citizens take information back to their maritime related jobs and educate their colleagues what to report and how.
     NRP also unveiled a new Public Service Announcement to educate the public on the economic impact of Maryland’s maritime activities and how to report suspicious activity. The PSA will air on networks throughout the state. Maritime Domain Awareness is about generating good citizen tips, which serves as the cornerstone of successful counterterrorist and maritime law enforcement. Using the private sector’s ability to “see something” will greatly increase and strengthen the relationship between state and private port partners. It will also educate private partners on maritime security issues, allowing them to become a greater asset to maritime law enforcement agencies.
     People who “SEE SOMETHING” suspicious on or around Maryland’s waterways should “SAY SOMETHING” and report this activity to 800-628-9944. Calls will be received at the NRP’s Communication Center and will be logged, evaluated and then investigated. These calls may elicit a response from NRP, or other allied local, state and Federal agencies. The information will be sent to Maryland Coordination and Analysis Center, the focal point for federal, state, local, and private sector partners in the collection, analysis and dissemination of criminal and homeland security information.