On
September 12, 2001, advertising luminary Allen Kay coined the phrase, “If you
see something, say something.”[1]
In the wake of horrific events the day before, Kay recognized that no matter
how well trained, equipped and staffed, law enforcement can’t do it alone. Within a relatively short period of time, the
slogan was plastered on New York City transit vehicles. Over time, the Law Enforcement and Homeland
Security slogan has become so well known it has been described as the
equivalent of Nike’s “Just do it” advertisement.[2]
Sadly,
as often as it is repeated, it seems the slogan is not always implemented. While the investigation into the December 2,
2015 terrorist attack in San Bernardino is ongoing, several neighbors recounted
“suspicious activity” to the media that they had failed to report to law
enforcement. For this reason, it’s
important for law enforcement at all levels to recognize those instances when
members of the public answer the call to report suspicious activity.
On
September 13, 2014, Lars Knutsen picked up a man needing a ride near a fire in
Pollock Pines, California. During the
ride, the man who would later be identified as Wayne Huntsman, would describe
his “heroic” actions near the scene of the fire. As evidence, Huntsman produced a selfie video
in which he describes being surrounded by fire. Lars, somewhat uncomfortable
with the tale, had the presence of mind to make a recording of the
selfie video with his own phone. After
dropping off Huntsman, Lars and the community watched as the fire spread to
97,000 acres and became known as the King Fire. Lars reported the conversation and the
video to investigators looking into the fire.
Within a few days, Huntsman was taken into custody and charged with
arson. While investigators recovered the
device Huntsman used to create the selfie video, it had been erased. Thus the video of the video created by Lars
became a significant piece of evidence.
This is particularly true because by watching the video carefully you
can clearly make out two very distinct fire start locations in the background
behind Huntsman. (http://tinyurl.com/gs74z6k)
While
this is perhaps one of the best examples of “if you see something, say
something”, others exist every day. The
El Dorado County Watch Facebook page (http://tinyurl.com/zvmntua)
does an excellent job connecting both members of the public to one another, and
connecting the public to law enforcement.
We
are all fortunate that every law enforcement agency and fire service agency in
El Dorado County actively engages with the public, both to receive information
and to disseminate it. The Sheriff’s
Facebook page is very active in this regard. (http://tinyurl.com/gwmzpsm)
Our own social media outreach includes Facebook, Twitter, a blog and
Instagram. Our Wednesday’s Most Wanted
is an excellent example. Approximately
70% of the fugitives posted are captured as a result of tips from the
public. Approximately 8% self-surrender
after being posted on the Most Wanted.
The
bottom line, Allen Kay had it right; the public and law enforcement must work together
to insure our safety. A thank you to Lars and every other citizen who takes the
time to join a watch and say something. If
you see something, please say something.
Below
are some, but not all, links that will provide further connection to other groups/law
enforcement agencies in El Dorado County:
Georgetown Divide Area
Watch Page - Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/guf5ws5
Placerville Police
Department - Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/zkwcbjj
South Lake Tahoe Police
Department: http://www.cityofslt.us/police
El Dorado County Fire
Protection District - Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/z22xx2b
CAL FIRE – Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/hfq8tzz
El Dorado Hills Fire Department – Facebook: http://tinyurl.com/h747ow8
[1] http://www.nytimes.com/2010/05/11/nyregion/11slogan.html?pagewanted=1&hp&_r=0
[2] Ibid.;
https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/about-campaign