City of Chicago and Cook County Remind Residents 'If You See Something, Say Something'

The City of Chicago Office of Emergency Management and Communications (OEMC) and the Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management (DHSEM) are asking residents report suspicious activity and packages to authorities. Both departments stress the importance of the “If You See Something, Say Something”™ anti-terrorism public awareness campaign, urging residents to report any non-emergency suspicious activity by calling 855-RPRT-2-S4, the official local number of the campaign.

“People become more aware of their surroundings in the immediate aftermath of attacks both worldwide and here in the U.S., but we have seen time and time again that we must never let our guard down, said Ernest Brown, executive director of the DHSEM. "Don't just walk past a suspicious package and don't assume someone else will report suspicious activity. We are all responsible for the safety of our community."

“Our residents are crucial partners in the fight against terrorism,” said Alicia Tate-Nadeau, executive director of OEMC. “Law enforcement can't be everywhere all the time. Residents are our boots on the ground in the fight against terrorism."

OEMC and the DHSEM launched the “If You See Something, Say Something”™ campaign last July in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security. Locally they have partnered with transit agencies, colleges and the faith-based community to help promote the program to residents on public transportation, in schools, at events and at other public and private spaces around the community. Additionally, the City and County launched a radio and digital campaign to reinforce the reporting number to Chicago and Cook County residents so they know to use it instead of 9-1-1 to report non-emergency suspicious activity.

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The Office of Emergency Management and Communications was established in 1995 to coordinate the City’s delivery of Police, Fire and Emergency Medical Services resources. OEMC operates Chicago’s public safety communications system, manages emergency situations and coordinates major events, 3-1-1 and 9-1-1 Communications Operations. For more information visit cityofchicago.org/oemc orwww.facebook/coemc.

The Cook County Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management integrates first responders, their departments and resources from 134 Cook County municipalities, and serves as the central agency in Cook County for coordinating efforts to prevent, protect against, mitigate the effects of, respond to, and recover from all incidents, whether man-made or natural. For more information, visit our website at www.cookcountyhomelandsecurity.org