After Paris attacks, official asks Columbus residents to be vigilant

In the wake of the recent terrorist attacks in Paris, the Columbus Homeland Security director has sent a memo to all Consolidated Government employees asking that they keep an eye out for suspicious behavior and has suggested that all residents in the area do the same.

"As our hearts and prayers go out to all the citizens and tourists involved in the Paris attacks, we are reminded of the need to remain vigilant and aware of our surroundings," Robert Futrell wrote. "Every individual and family across the region has a critical role to play in homeland security, from preparing for disasters to helping deter and detect terrorist plots. One way to assist in this effort is to report any suspicious behavior or activity."

The director said there are no current warnings from state or federal agencies for the area, and he's heard of no threat connected to the SOA Watch gathering this weekend.

Futrell gave a list of what people should watch out for:

Unusual items or situations: A vehicle parked in an odd location, a package/luggage unattended, a window/door open that is usually closed, or any other out-of-the-ordinary situation.

People eliciting information: A person questioning individuals at a level beyond curiosity about a building's purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc.

Observation/surveillance: Someone paying unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation (particularly in concealed locations); unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (e.g., with binoculars or video camera); taking notes or measurements; counting paces; and sketching floor plans.

"Some of these activities could be innocent," Futrell wrote. "It's up to law enforcement to determine whether the behavior warrants investigation."

To report suspicious activity, he told residents to call 911. You may also call the city's Terrorism Tip-line at 706-225-4021.

Mayor Teresa Tomlinson, who is also the city's public safety director, said Columbus' Homeland Security office works directly with state and federal agencies and is notified if anyone known to have ties to extremist groups is in the area.

"We coordinate with their watch list of people they feel are extremists in whatever realm, whether it's environmental extremism or people who have been associated with the so-called Aryan Nation, things like that," she said. "If they enter our community, and they're otherwise on a watch list of people known to associate with radicals, then we know about them."

The city also has two "extreme event summits" a year, when about 45 representatives of regional public safety agencies, public health, utilities, large employers and Fort Benning gather to discuss strategies in handling man-made and natural disasters.

Futrell said his office focuses on Columbus, Phenix City and Lee County primarily and hears regularly from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives, the U.S. Marshal's Office, Georgia Bureau of Investigation, FBI and the Department of Defense police and intelligence offices.

Homeland Security has committees that focus on protecting infrastructure, gathering intelligence and preventing potential science/technology threats, Futrell said.

There is also the Mayor's Medical Response Group that involves the command staffs at the Medical Center, St. Francis and Fort Benning hospitals to plan and coordinate reactions to mass injuries and public health threats.

This story was originally published November 18, 2015 at 11:01 PM with the headline "After Paris attacks, official asks Columbus residents to be vigilant."