305wk4

A Message From Ric L. Bradshaw, Sheriff of Palm Beach County

Dear Friends:

While it is a privilege for me and our men and women in and out of uniform to protect you, it is also an awesome responsibility.

We can not ignore history and history tells us that law enforcement is infinitely more effective when supported by an educated, aware, and engaged citizenry.

This pamphlet outlines a new initiative of our Homeland Security Bureau. It is called the Business Partners Against Terrorism Program, the B-PAT Program. This is one in a series of pamphlets designed to help private sector businesses deemed critical to American infrastructure to become partners with the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office in recognizing and reporting suspicious activity that could be terrorist related.

Remember none of the listed actions in and of themselves constitutes a criminal violation or forewarns of a terrorist attack. However when coupled with other acts they may indicate suspicious activity that warrants law enforcement scrutiny.

If you observe an individual or individuals acting suspiciously as described please contact us immediately. Please also remember that terrorists DO NOT come from any one particular race, ethnic group or religious affiliation.

Thank you for working with us to make Palm Beach County a safer place for all its citizens.

Sincerely,

Ric Bradshaw Sheriff Palm Beach County

The Business Partners Against Terrorism Program, the B-PAT Program is an initiative of the Palm Beach County Sheriff’s Office and its Homeland Security Bureau. Derived from the reality that 85% of America’s infrastructure is owned and/or operated by the private sector, this initiative will divide the county’s private sectors into nine councils to develop a close two-way partnership between the Sheriff’s Office and the private sector. The impetus for the initiative and the choice of sectors are drawn from materials developed by the United States Department of Homeland Security. We believe our effort to be one of the most comprehensive in the nation.

Terrorism Hotline 1-800-429-0006

or

Email: Strategic Intelligence [email protected]

Sheriff’s Office Website www.PBSO.org

In An Emergency Dial 9-1-1

PBSO #0062 REV. 09/09

n The cell phone and computer can be your worst enemies—keep your business and yourself as electronically protected and up to date as possible

n Make a mental note of the depositor who makes a large cash deposit or a deposit by check that is just under the reporting limit. Give the information immediately to your supervisor.

n Malware and anti-detection is often outsourced to criminal elements and/or spammers.

n On-line banking is particularly vulnerable and increasingly targeted—do all in your power to protect it.

n Be sure to check identifications carefully against themselves and the picture against the bearer.

n Become familiar with “tips” that give away a fake ID.

n Look carefully for any tampering with the picture on a passport presented as an ID.

n If a foreign substance is found in an envelope DO NOT PANIC. Carefully and gently put the envelope down, alert your supervisor and law enforcement.

n Check carefully the bona fides of non-profits opening accounts that run large sums of money through them, especially non-profits that don’t seem familiar and have some overseas connection. Non-profits have become useful as money launderers to certain elements.

n Become familiar with the 2007 National Money Laudering Strategy, a joint venture document from the US Department of the Treasury and the Dept. of Homeland Security.

n Train employees to understand the multi- dimensional elements involved in the terrorist funding process. Areas of specific training should include: types of terrorist groups, funding capacity, and mechanisms for fund raising and operations.

n Be sure there is continued communication between compliance officers and business officers.

n Encourage internal unity and consistency within the company.

n Develop relationships with local/regional law enforcement.

n Do not under estimate your enemy’s intelligence, technical ability, and determination to beat you.

Financial Sector