By Tim Cherry
Staff Writer
Thursday, February 2, 2012

The installation launched a new suspicious activity reporting tool Jan. 23.

The program is called Fort Belvoir iWatch and it hands the community power to help the garrison stop acts of terror.

“We hope it facilitates a better sense of awareness where all the community members feel like they can play a role in preventing a terrorist plot or any type of unfortunate event,” said Julian Cheefus, Directorate of Plans, Training, Mobilization and Security anti-terrorism officer.

iWatch is an Army wide anti-terrorism awareness initiative. The program encourages Army Families to be active deterrents in the protection of their homes.

Community members can visit Belvoir’s website and click on the iWatch link on the homepage to report any suspicious activity.

Odd behavior can consist of a person video taping access control points on post, a person quickly turning around before entering gate entrance or a person asking invasive questions about an organization or person on post.

An anti-terrorism officer analyzes each piece of information a community member presents and determines if the activity could aid in a terrorist plot.

Cheefus encourages people to report any behavior they deem suspicious.

“An anti-terrorism officer can’t do it by himself,” Cheefus said. “It takes a community to protect a community and this is just a way of doing that.”

Cheefus said the NCR is a popular area for foreign intelligence and Belvoir is working in conjunction with bases across the National Capitol Region to create a network of information in regards to suspicious behavior.

The iWatch network helps the Army collect data, spot alarming trends in the region and stop terrorist activities before they happen.

“A terrorist plot is most vulnerable in the surveillance phase,” Cheefus said. “We feel like we’re better equipped to stop or prevent a potential plot and anti-terrorism is all about prevention.”

Cheefus said that iWatch’s only intended purpose is to serve as conduit for reporting terrorist-like behavior.

He said people should report all other crime-related issues to Fort Belvoir Eagle Watch.

Eagle Watch was used to focus on anti-terror and police enforcement issues.

Once iWatch became live however, Cheefus said the decision was made to make DPTMS responsible for handling anti-terror issues while the Directorate of Emergency Services analyzes police enforcement.

Johnnie Kibler, DES investigation section chief, said people should use Eagle Watch when reporting an activity that requires immediate police assistance such as acts of vandalism.

“It’s another way of quickly reaching our police desk,” Kibler said.” It’s just about opening lines of communicating with the community.”

Cheefus said the division of duties should help both offices carry out their missions more effectively and he encourages the community to use both crime reporting tools.

Posters and pamphlets will be available around post for Families to learn more about the iWatch initiative.

Additional information can also be found on the Army’s iWatch webpage at www.myarmyonesource.com/familyprogramsandservices/iwatchprogram/default.aspx.

Report suspicious terrorist like behavior at iwatchftbelvoir.org/page/iwatch/iwatchlogin.aspx?site=ftbelvoir.

Contact (703) 806-3105 to report suspicious behavior to Eagle Watch.