Surveillance Detection Routes: Understanding the Tactics and Techniques
A surveillance detection route (SDR) is a carefully planned and executed route designed to detect potential surveillance. It requires a plausible reason to move from one point to another, making it look like normal and legitimate errands are being run. The goal is to blend in and avoid drawing attention, while also checking for potential surveillance.
Key Components of an SDR
An SDR typically involves driving on different types of roads, such as “red roads” with heavy traffic and “black roads” with less traffic. The route starts at a “kickoff point,” like a house or office, and involves running normal and legitimate errands to blend in while checking for surveillance. Multiple sightings of a car at different times and places can indicate surveillance, and a provocative phase can be initiated to confirm.
Tactics and Techniques
- Switching plates and disguises may be used to stay on someone’s tail
- Unusual driving maneuvers, such as making multiple turns in a “stair step” pattern, can be used to detect potential surveillance
- Public transportation like buses or subways can be used to continue surveillance without being detected
- Prepositioned rental cars in parking garages can be used in high-threat areas
Real-Life Examples and Anecdotes
A special operations officer was being surveilled at a large station, with teams assigned to monitor his activities and verify his claims. The officer demonstrated impressive evasive maneuvers, including taking a cab, running across an eight-lane highway, leaping over a concrete barrier, and hailing another cab going in the opposite direction, to reach a meeting. In another example, a person’s lazy decision to drive an hour to a restaurant and back downtown made him easily detectable, essentially getting him “caught” due to the unusual and unnecessary travel pattern.
Importance of Caution and Compartmentalization
Law enforcement uses various methods, including infrared cameras and helicopters, to catch targets, making it crucial to ensure one is not being followed. Protocols for meeting with a source include writing three separate cables: one for intelligence to be disseminated to analysts, an operational cable with sensitive information for the desk officer, and another unspecified cable, highlighting the need for compartmentalization of information.
Conclusion and Final Thoughts
A surveillance detection route requires a detailed report, which is then reviewed by counterintelligence, and any mistakes, such as blowing one’s cover, can have serious consequences. The importance of caution and attention to detail cannot be overstated. By understanding the tactics and techniques of surveillance detection routes, individuals can better protect themselves and their operations from potential surveillance.
Key Vocabulary
| Term | Definition | Example Usage |
|---|---|---|
| Surveillance Detection Route (SDR) | A carefully planned route designed to detect potential surveillance while blending in with normal activities. | Running errands in a way that appears normal and legitimate to detect if someone is following. |
| Red Roads | Heavily trafficked roads used in SDRs to blend in with traffic. | Driving on a busy highway as part of an SDR to avoid detection. |
| Black Roads | Less trafficked roads used in SDRs to check for surveillance in areas with fewer vehicles. | Taking a less busy side road to see if a surveillance vehicle follows. |
| Kickoff Point | The starting point of an SDR, often a house, office, or other familiar location. | Starting an SDR from a home address to begin surveillance detection. |
| Provocative Phase | A phase in an SDR where actions are taken to provoke a potential surveillance team into revealing themselves. | Making multiple turns in a stair-step pattern to see if a surveillance vehicle reacts. |
| Switching Plates and Disguises | Tactics used to maintain surveillance without being detected, including changing vehicle license plates or the appearance of the surveillant. | Changing the license plates of a surveillance vehicle to avoid detection. |
| Unusual Driving Maneuvers | Driving actions that are not typical, used to detect surveillance, such as rapid turns or sudden stops. | Making a U-turn in a residential area to check for surveillance. |
| Public Transportation | Using buses, subways, or other public transit to continue surveillance without being easily detected. | Following a target onto a subway to maintain surveillance in a crowded area. |
| Prepositioned Rental Cars | Rental cars placed in strategic locations, such as parking garages, to be used in high-threat areas for surveillance. | Using a prepositioned rental car in a high-risk area to avoid detection. |
| Compartmentalization of Information | The practice of limiting access to information to only those who need to know, to prevent leaks or breaches. | Writing separate cables for different levels of clearance to maintain operational security. |
Watch The Video
Vocabulary Quiz
1. What is the primary goal of a surveillance detection route (SDR)?
A) To gather intelligence on a target
B) To blend in and avoid drawing attention while checking for potential surveillance
C) To initiate a provocative phase
D) To switch plates and disguises
2. Which of the following is a characteristic of “red roads” in the context of an SDR?
A) Less traffic
B) Heavy traffic
C) Limited access
D) No public transportation
3. What can indicate surveillance according to the provided text?
A) A single sighting of a car
B) Multiple sightings of a car at different times and places
C) Unusual driving maneuvers only
D) The use of public transportation
4. Why is compartmentalization of information important in the context of surveillance detection?
A) To share all information with everyone involved
B) To write a single detailed report
C) To prevent sensitive information from being leaked
D) To initiate a provocative phase
5. What is a consequence of mistakes in a surveillance detection route, such as blowing one’s cover?
A) Minor inconvenience
B) Serious consequences
C) Increased surveillance
D) No consequences at all
Answer Key:
1. B
2. B
3. B
4. C
5. B
Grammar Focus
Grammar Focus: The Use of Passive Voice
Grammar Quiz:
Choose the correct form of the sentence using the passive voice:
1. The surveillance detection route _______ by a team of experts to detect potential surveillance.
A) is designing
B) was designed
C) designs
D) is being designed
2. The officer’s claims _______ by the teams assigned to monitor his activities.
A) were verifying
B) verify
C) have been verified
D) were verified
3. Infrared cameras and helicopters _______ by law enforcement to catch targets.
A) are used
B) use
C) are being used
D) have been used
4. A detailed report _______ by counterintelligence after the surveillance detection route.
A) reviews
B) is reviewing
C) has been reviewed
D) is being reviewed
5. The importance of caution and attention to detail _______ in the context of surveillance detection routes.
A) cannot be overstated
B) is being overstated
C) has been overstated
D) overstates
Answer Key:
1. B) was designed
2. D) were verified
3. C) are being used
4. D) is being reviewed
5. A) cannot be overstated
