Karinda Washington is the executive director for Social Impact at the Department of Homeland Security. She oversees the “See Something, Say Something” campaign, which educates the public on recognizing signs of terrorism and violent extremism.

This transcript has been edited for length and clarity.

Federal Newswire: Tell us about the campaign.

Washington: “If you See Something, Say Something” began as a slogan after the horrific attacks of 911–[started] by the New York mass transit authority. 

We launched in 2010 and it allowed us to educate the public on suspicious activity as it relates to terrorism and terrorism related crime. Since that time, we know that the threat environment has evolved and we have evolved as a campaign.

This campaign tells how communities, individuals, corporations, community organizations can get involved.

Federal Newswire: How can someone recognize suspicious activity, and how should they know whether to report what they see?

Washington: On our site at DHS.gov/seesay we have what is called an indicator card. It details the 16 signs of suspicious activity.

In our day to day life, we sometimes see things that are just off. Maybe it is that individual who is taking pictures of a facility and it just is not in a way that would be of a tourist, or it's someone trying to access a secure facility or space within that facility. We know that these indicators combined could be potential signs of suspicious activity.

We don't want to put a burden of proof on the community. What we're asking is, if a [behavior] seems suspicious, report it to local authorities or local law enforcement and let them determine whether it is a viable sign of potential terrorism. 

But we are saying that we all have a role to play in keeping our community safe. It's vigilance and determination that allow us to create safety and security in our local communities.

Federal Newswire: How can individuals and organizations get involved?

Washington: You can partner today, whether you are an individual looking to get involved, or maybe just looking to educate your friends or educate your household. We have resources available on our site, [including for] major corporations, sports arenas, and government facilities or commercial facilities. We also do customized material.

Maybe you want to have back-of-the-house materials for your employees so they know and are informed on how to report suspicious activity. Anyone can participate. We have downloadable materials on our site. Local governments can pull it down for their state–we call it a state bundle. 

Because I'm from Michigan, I'm going to shout out this tip–go to the Michigan bundle. Download it, and you're able to put up those posters where you live, work or spend time.

Federal Newswire: Is the “See Something, Say Something” campaign working? 

Washington: I think about an example that just happened in April. An everyday citizen, a friend of someone who was intent on causing harm at a mall in Fort Smith, Arkansas, said something. 

Something just didn't seem right with a text message. [The person] called local authorities. Because of that tip, law enforcement was able to apprehend that individual who did intend to cause harm. We all can prevent these incidents from happening.

Federal Newswire: What do you want the public to take away from the campaign? 

Washington: We all have a role to play. We are in a heightened threat environment and sometimes it just seems like a buzz word when you keep hearing it over and over and over again. But unfortunately, we keep hearing about incidents. 

No matter if we're in an academic setting, a commercial setting, transiting through our local airports, on a train, or in our cars, we have activity unfolding every day. The takeaway today is to educate yourself on the signs of suspicious activity and learn how to report it.

We can come together for a simple purpose: to protect our local communities, to protect ourselves, and to look out for individuals we care about, and even individuals that we do not know. 

Go to DHS.gov/seesay to learn how you can get equipped and be empowered to make a positive impact.