Keep Your BusinesSafe

In a post-9/11 world, business owners have become more aware of security concerns and threats around their property. The Florida Department of Law Enforcement (FDLE) has released a new tool for businesses, including agriculture, called BusinesSafe, which will alert people of rapidly changing security situations.

Agriculture: A Big Player In BusinesSafe

BusinesSafe is designed for any type of business of any size. There are 74 sector-specific fact sheets available. Sectors are based on industry areas established by the Department of Homeland Security, which include agriculture, greenhouse, and farm dealerships. Here are a few fact-sheet recommendations on how to spot suspicious ag activity:

• The unexplained loss or theft or attempted theft of equipment or separate machine components used in agricultural spraying or mosquito extermination (i.e., mist blowers, tanks, axial or centrifugal fans, diaphragm pumps, nozzles, spouts, pressure regulators, etc.)

• Inquiries from unknown persons as to the purchase or operation of spraying equipment; approach from a previously unknown customer whose identity is not clear; a customer’s use of evasive responses

• Unusual inquiries about modifying spraying equipment

• Inquiries for information or for purchase of nitrogen-rich, above 23%, fertilizers

• Requests for information or for purchase of pesticides that may be harmful to humans

• Any requests for information on amounts, suppliers, purchasers, transporters, etc. Questions specifically involving operations and safeguards of suppliers, purchasers, transporters, etc.

• A request to purchase spraying machinery by someone who does not appear to have previous experience in such work or a connection to the agricultural industry

According to FDLE, BusinesSafe is a counter-terrorism initiative, which provides Florida’s businesses with timely and important domestic security-related information. The initiative provides a Web-based tool that offers electronic alert notifications. BusinesSafe also provides sector-specific fact sheets for businesses to use as a way to safeguard their assets. These fact sheets are designed to help businesses identify suspicious activities, which may result in a threat to their establishment. BusinesSafe also provides a mechanism for businesses to report suspicious activity.

Alerts As They Happen

An individual can sign up to receive alerts based on their geographic location, based on the type of industry, or a combination of both. Registrants can select up to three addresses to which the alert can be sent. Alerts can be sent to e-mail accounts, cellular phones, and PDAs. E-mail alerts will come from FDLE’s Office of Domestic Security or from one of the state’s regional security task forces.

Alerts will be used when there is specific information that would be valuable to the business community, in certain regions or statewide. This could include: changes in the threat level, notices about suspicious activity in certain industries (for example, in 2007, the FBI warned scuba shops and instructors to watch for divers that requested certain training), or information about breaking statewide activity (such as the power outage that affected multiple Florida counties in February of this year).

Tip Off Authorities

Tips reporting suspicious behavior/activity can be e-mailed by logging onto the FDLE’s BusinesSafe Web site (www.fdle.state.fl.us/bsafe) and accessing the “Report Suspicious Activity” link. People can remain anonymous, though it is more helpful to have contact information that allows follow up as necessary. Tips will be reviewed by analysts at FDLE who will then forward the information to the appropriate entity. Once a tip is received, a confirmation message will appear advising the sender it has been received. Tips will be followed up on by the department or local law enforcement officials.

Florida's agricultural businesses have a new tool to keep apprised of emergency situations and to report suspicious activity.