SALT LAKE CITY -- A new video was released by the Utah Department of Public Safety, telling Utahns how they can help prevent a terrorist attack.
The seven- minute video is called “Recognizing 8 Signs of Terrorism.” it is available on the website publicsafety.utah.gov.
"It's the duty of every citizen in this country, every person, under the protection of the American flag, to play a role in protecting each and every one of us,” said Retired Col. Randy Watt, of the Utah Army National Guard.
Watt said the Utah Department of Public Safety is offering a great service by releasing this new video, and he feels everyone in Utah should watch it and learn it. He said ISIS is a real threat to America.
“It is here, it is in the United States,” Watt said. “The U.S. is in the top 10 for Twitter feeds supporting ISIS.”
The video goes into detail about eight components of terrorism that every Utahn needs to look out for: surveillance, information gathering, testing security, funding, acquiring supplies, impersonation, rehearsal and deployment.
Watt said everyone must do their part.
"Self-assess your work place, self-assess where you park, self-assess the places you go, what behaviors are normal then gain the ability to look and see when things change or they are abnormal," Watt said.
Watt said while serving three tours of duty, in Iraq and Afghanistan, in the counter-terrorism unit, some of the best tips came from the public.
“By itself it may seem like nothing but when we add several other calls about suspicious activity we're able to connect network style investigation that may be the very key piece that allows us to interrupt a deadly terrorist operation," Watt said.
The Utah Department of Public Safety said the message of the video is pretty simple, if you see something, say something.
"That’s what can make the difference, by making that call and helping us look at it and see if it's connected to terrorism or criminal activity,” said Keith Squires, Commissioner of the Utah Dept. of Public Safety.
