Philadelphia’s Official Guide to Suspicious Behavior

If you see something, say something, right?

Let’s just say that not everybody’s on board with the “suspicious behavior” guidelines offered Monday by the Philadelphia Office of Emergency Management:

Here’s some of the post that provoked that comment:

If you see someone or something suspicious that may cause immediate life-threatening danger, report it to the nearest police or security officer, or call 9-1-1.

A suspicious person may be someone who is:
In an unauthorized area;
In the wrong place or appears lost;
Dressed in oversize clothing that appears to be concealing something; and
Not wearing company ID in a facility where a visible badge is required.

Suspicious activity may be a person who is:

Photographing, recording or sketching the exterior of a facility that would arouse suspicion beyond of a reasonable person;
Loitering and/or watching customers or employees;
Acting in a disorderly manner that alarms or disturbs others;
Demonstrating unusual interest in facilities, buildings or infrastructure beyond mere casual or professional interest;
Claiming to be a delivery person, contractor, law enforcement officer, reporter or service technician without proper identification;
Questioning individuals at a level beyond mere curiosity about particular facets of a facility;
Asking specific questions about key personnel;
Testing security interactions with or challenges to installations, personnel or systems that reveal physical , personnel or cyber security capabilities; and
Attempting to obtain or conduct training in security concepts or other unusual capabilities (military weapons or tactics).
Be able to provide a description of any potential persons involved. Avoid approaching anyone who appears outwardly dangerous or threatening.

It doesn’t look like there’s much new here. If we’d object to anything, it’s the underlying idea that “curiosity about the world” generally qualifies as grounds to suspect you’re a terrorist. Guess the rest of us are all just getting fat and playing video games.