FBI Jacksoville
Amanda Warford Videll
media.jacksonville@fbi.gov
July 1, 2016

FBI Jacksonville Division Urges Public to Be Alert

The Jacksonville Division of the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) urges the public to remain vigilant of their surroundings throughout the upcoming weekend.

The FBI Jacksonville Division is actively assessing intelligence and has no information indicating any specific and credible threats connected to the July 4th holiday or Ramadan at this time. However, we ask the public to watch for unusual behaviors and situations and encourage them to promptly report details that could help law enforcement ensure the safety of others. This information could include who, when, and where suspicious activity is taking place, as well as why it is suspicious.

While there is no indication of an elevated risk to north Florida residents at this time, the FBI Jacksonville Division’s Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF) will continue 24/7 command post operations over the weekend. The JTTF is a team of highly trained specialists from federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies who monitor, exchange, and act upon information regarding possible terrorism activity throughout the Division’s 40-county area of responsibility.

“The public should not be afraid, but we are asking them to be engaged and aware of what is happening around them at all times,” says Michelle S. Klimt, special agent in charge of the FBI Jacksonville Division. “Terrorists today are using social media to target vulnerable followers who, despite limited resources, can orchestrate and carry out attacks with minimal training and time. Our number one priority is protecting the United States from terrorism and identifying the possibility of homegrown extremists living in our own backyards will require everyone to be vigilant of their surroundings.”

Individuals who wish to report suspicious activity in the state of Florida can call the FDLE’s toll-free hotline 1-855-FLA-SAFE (1-855-352-7233), the FBI Jacksonville Field Office at (904) 248- 7000, or contact local law enforcement by calling 9-1-1 in an emergency. For more information about the “If You See Something, Say Something” program, visit http://www.dhs.gov/seesomething-say-something.