Snellville police chief suggests
we all observe, record and report
By Jimmy Davis
Chief of Police, Snellville
Special to GwinnettForum.com

(Editor's Note: Snellville Police Chief Jimmy Davis recently told the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce Retreat of a plan he has devised in defense of our country. Here is the substance of his remarks. --EEB)

SNELLVILLE, NOV. 9, 2001 - - Being a part in the defense of our "Homeland" is the most vital service we can perform as Americans. Never before in our history, excepting the American
Revolution and Civil War, have we had more need to protect ourselves. We have been a national power for so long, we have forgotten what it is to be the victim, and to be the victim on our own soil.

Other possible terrorist "strikes by air" are probably in the past. My concern now is that we could be attacked in ways we have not before, by land transportation. It could come by rail, bus, truck or passenger car if such a vehicle was loaded with high-explosives, such as C-3, C-4 plastics. Or it could come in many other ways we have never envisioned. Who among us thought of the "anthrax" possibilities?

For America, and particularly for the Snellville Police Department, I developed an acronym, "ORR." This stands for "Observe, Record and Report."

You all know that law enforcement gets its best data when witnesses give us details. By jotting down many of the ways to identify a person, we are in better shape to move faster with an investigation. You would need to jot down whatever information you might have, such as the person's name, address, sex, height, weight, hair and eye color, race and nationality. Perhaps best of all would be numerical identifiers, such as license plate, phone or Social Security, driver's license and check numbers. All of these numerical identifiers could speed the case.

When citizens see anything out of the ordinary, they should be alert, and use ORR. In reality, we really do not have a choice. With the new threat of even small nuclear devices; we must all assume the role of close observers and investigators in this new "war."

ORR gives all of us a means to capture data in a uniform fashion, and one in which law enforcement can act with detail and certainty.

Any time you suspect, or when victims share ID data I describe in ORR, we in law enforcement have something specific and concrete to work with and act upon.

So, If you are in a situation that does not feel, look, smell, taste, touch (the five senses) as you think it should, report it, using the ORR principles.

Law enforcement in our country need more training in homeland defense. First responders, most especially, need additional training, equipment and support from government. Those of us in responsible positions, such as police chiefs and public safety directors, must stress the need and get budgeting for this training. In addition, we also must stress the need for their local residents all to aid the police by practicing "ORR", observe, record and report, to appropriate law enforcement agencies.

People in our country are going to be called on, as never before, because the war is HERE. We each have to be the eyes, ears, nose and mouth of HOMELAND SECURITY. Homeland defense is the responsibility of all of us.

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