Daily Media Briefing June 2, 2016

(Millersville, MD) For the 24 hour period beginning at midnight on Wednesday, June 1^st, the Anne Arundel County Fire Department responded to 220 incidents (daily average is 220).

Incidents of Media Interest Wednesday, June 1^st:

Suspicious Item                                              Severn

A discarded item became the object of investigation and caused approximately 60 employees and shoppers to be sheltered in place at the Sam’s Club in Severn Wednesday afternoon. Around 5:40 p.m. firefighters responded to the Sam’s Club, located in the 400 block of George Clauss Boulevard after an Anne Arundel County Police Officer discovered a suspicious item outside of the building. Firefighters arrived and requested the Fire and Explosives Services Unit from the Annapolis Fire Department to assist. Annapolis City personnel arrived, investigated and rendered the item safe. Additional investigation revealed that the item was an inert object which had been discarded by a customer. The customers and employees were allowed to exit the store just before 8:00 p.m.

This incident yesterday as well as a simultaneous similar incident in Riviera Beach serve as good reminders to the public about being conscious about disposing of items and maintaining possession of belongings. The item in the Severn incident was simply being disposed of and there was not negative intent. The Riviera Beach incident involved personal items which were left unattended but raised concerns.

We encourage residents to be proactive and if you see suspicious activities or situations to say something. Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could include:

• Unusual items or situations: A vehicle is parked in an odd location, a package/luggage is unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situation 

• Eliciting information: A person questions individuals at a level beyond curiosity about a building’s purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc. 

• Observation/surveillance: Someone pays unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation (particularly in concealed locations); unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (e.g., with binoculars or video camera); taking notes or measurements; counting paces; sketching floor plans, etc. 

Some of these activities could be innocent—it's up to law enforcement to determine whether the behavior warrants investigation.