NCJ Number
50612
Journal
Law and Order Volume: 26 Issue: 9 Dated: (SEPTEMBER 1978) Pages: 76-78
Date Published
1978
Length
4 pages
Annotation
PHYSICAL SURVEILLANCE TECHNIQUES APPLICABLE TO THE RURAL SETTING ARE DISCUSSED.
Abstract
ALTHOUGH MUNICIPAL POLICE OFFICERS MAY NOT BE CONCERNED WITH THE PROBLEMS OF SURVEILLANCE IN RURAL AREAS, MANY GOVERNMENT AND PRIVATE POLICE DO CONFRONT THESE PROBLEMS IN THEIR COURSE OF DUTY. SOLUTIONS TO THE SPECIFIC PROBLEMS OF RURAL SURVEILLANCE INCLUDE THE USE OF AIRCRAFT SURVEYS OF THE WIDE AREA THAT WILL BE UNDER OBSERVATION, AND THE USE OF MAPS TO DETERMINE INITIALLY THE BEST SITES FROM WHICH TO VIEW THE AREA. RURAL VANTAGE POINTS MAY INCLUDE TREES OR FOXHOLES, OR ANY LOCATION IN WHICH A MOTIONLESS AND WELL-CAMOUFLAGED SURVEILLANT WILL BLEND INTO THE ENVIRONMENT. IF VEHICLES ARE USED IT IS RECOMMENDED THAT THEY BE OF SUBTLE COLOR THAT WILL NOT BETRAY THEIR PRESENCE, LIKEWISE IT IS DESIRABLE TO COVER AND CONCEAL ANY PARTS OF THE VEHICLE WHICH MAY REFLECT LIGHT. MOVEMENT INTO THE SURVEILLANCE AREA SHOULD BE ACCOMPLISHED IN THE LEAST CONSPICUOUS MANNER. ALTHOUGH THE USE OF SLOW DRIVING, OR THE DIMMING OF HEADLIGHTS IS PROPER FOR NIGHT OPERATIONS, IT IS PREFERABLE TO DRIVE WITH INCONSPICUOUS CONFIDENCE DURING THE DAY, AS EXTREME CAUTION MAY ITSELF ATTRACT ATTENTION. WHEN MOVING ON FOOT THE SURVEILLANT SHOULD TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE NATURAL CONTOURS OF THE LAND, AND SHOULD AVOID WALKING ON THE CREST OF HILLS OR ALONG THE CENTER OF FOOTPATHS. ON EXTENDED OPERATIONS VARIOUS PATHS SHOULD BE USED IN MOVING INTO AND FROM THE VANTAGE POINT, SO AS TO PREVENT THE FORMATION OF A CONSPICUOUS TRAIL. INVESTIGATORS SHOULD BE WARY OF ALARM DEVICES SUCH AS TRIP STRINGS. CONSIDERATION MAY BE GIVEN TO THE USE OF FALSE IDENTITIES, SUCH AS POSING AS HUNTERS OR FISHERMEN. FURTHER DISCUSSION INCLUDES TECHNIQUES OF MOVING SURVEILLANCE AND THE USE OF VISION EXTENDERS, SUCH AS BINOCULARS.