Scarey things I learned this weekend!

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Not to mention that if you make the call and it turns out to be nothing, your credibility is gone for future calls where your information COULD be the difference between life and death.

Don't cry wolf on a rumor.

How many times do you think you will ever need to call? I have never placed a call, neither has anyone in my family. Most of America will never have a reason to call.

I would place a call with this information. Let them (FBI, Homeland,...) decide if they want to follow up or not.

 

[mytwotinks]

Make the call and give them all of the information you have. You don't have to know if it is info that they would want or not. They'll know that.

 

[poohandwendy]

sus·pi·cion

The act of suspecting something, especially something wrong, on little evidence or without proof.

Homeland Security's website states:

Report Incidents
Everyone should take notice of their surroundings and report suspicions items or activities to local authorities immediately.


Absolutely I would call or email it in.

Would you agree that they are advising paranoid schizophrenics and/or conspiracy theorists to report the suspicions floating around in their head? If not, why not?

I think they are expecting people to use common sense and report suspicious activities or threats they have actually witnessed.

 

[Michie]

Call in what? If they investigated every single call that started with "A friend told me that she/he heard", they would be doing nothing but chasing after rumors.

The OP needs something concrete to report, like first hand knowledge of illegal activity. I totally understand the OPs concern, but she really doesn't have knowledge of anything. Unless it can be substantiated, it's nothing more than rumor. Even if the person who told the OP is a credible source, and the person who told that person is a credible source...the person who started this could have made it up.

I have to agree with PAW. MAybe the other person the OP learned this "info"from has such a distate for firearms that an arsenal is actually a couple of handguns. Or maybe the guy collects firearms and the firing pins have been removed.

Toooo many lives have been ruined by hearsay, gossip, etc.

 

[chager]

I am going to discuss making a call with the person that was telling me everything. I think they should call because I think they actaully saw the arsonal, but if they wont I will, if I can be sure I am not doing it just because I can't stand the guy. I want to do it for the right reasons. I do think he is involved with this group though. As I think back to little comments that have been made over the years.
Let me make it clear that I am not afraid of this guy. I will not live a life of fear. I just pray the son can get away from from them. I have encouraged him to apply to college and move on campus. And not to bring home any girlfriends or friends. His family will scare them away!! As for me, I will be having as little contact as possible mostly because contact with them makes my blood pressure go up and makes my head hurt!

 

[poohandwendy]

I am going to discuss making a call with the person that was telling me everything. I think they should call because I think they actaully saw the arsonal,

That is a good idea, as they are more likely to have the information needed in an investigation. Good luck with it.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Would you agree that they are advising paranoid schizophrenics and/or conspiracy theorists to report the suspicions floating around in their head? If not, why not?

I think they are expecting people to use common sense and report suspicious activities or threats they have actually witnessed.

So the OP is a paranoid schizophrenic? Or would they be viewed as a conspiracy theorist in your mind? Which BTW would indicate they are suffering from some type of psychological disorder. If indeed that "type" of suspicion were reported it would be dealt with accordingly. I'm SURE that happens regularly. But once AGAIN, this isn't what were talking about is it?

When you show me where it states suspicions must be witnessed I'll pay it more mind until then we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[poohandwendy]

So the OP is a paranoid schizophrenic? Or would they be viewed as a conspiracy theorist in your mind? Which BTW would indicate they are suffering from some type of psychological disorder. If indeed that "type" of suspicion were reported it would be dealt with accordingly. I'm SURE that happens regularly. But once AGAIN, this isn't what were talking about is it?

When you show me where it states suspicions must be witnessed I'll pay it more mind until then we'll just have to agree to disagree.

I never said the OP was either. My point was that they aren't asking anyone who has a thought of suspicion, but people who have a suspicion based on something tangible. A rumor (without witnessing anything) is no different than an unsubstaniated paranoia or conspiracy theory. (that is why I used those examples)

At this point, the OP has no knowledge, she has hearsay (rumor that may or may not be based in truth). Now, the person who has actual information (like seeing or hearing the guy doing something suspicious), they should report it. I don't think they should have to point out the obvious. That witnessing suspicious activity is what should be reported.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I never said the OP was either. My point was that they aren't asking anyone who has a thought of suspicion, but people who have a suspicion based on something tangible. A rumor (without witnessing anything) is no different than an unsubstaniated paranoia or conspiracy theory. (that is why I used those examples)

At this point, the OP has no knowledge, she has hearsay (rumor that may or may not be based in truth). Now, the person who has actual information (like seeing or hearing the guy doing something suspicious), they should report it. I don't think they should have to point out the obvious. That witnessing suspicious activity is what should be reported.

Yes they are.

https://tips.fbi.gov/
"While the FBI continues to encourage the public to submit information regarding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this form may also be used to report any suspected criminal activity to the FBI."


sus·pect

To surmise to be true or probable; imagine: I suspect they are very disappointed.
To have doubts about; distrust: I suspect his motives.
To think (a person) guilty without proof: The police suspect her of murder.
v.intr.
To have suspicion.

 

[fabshelly]

I bet the moms of those kids in daycare in Oklahoma wish that one of the many people who noticed Tim McVeigh's suspicious activities had given the FBI a call.

 

[poohandwendy]

Yes they are.

https://tips.fbi.gov/
"While the FBI continues to encourage the public to submit information regarding the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, this form may also be used to report any suspected criminal activity to the FBI."


sus·pect

To surmise to be true or probable; imagine: I suspect they are very disappointed.
To have doubts about; distrust: I suspect his motives.
To think (a person) guilty without proof: The police suspect her of murder.
v.intr.
To have suspicion.

Then you have an obligation to report it yourself. You suspect there is criminal activity going on. You can give them the screen name of the OP and they can look into it. You have just as much reason to suspect this person as she does. Hearsay.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

I am going to discuss making a call with the person that was telling me everything. I think they should call because I think they actaully saw the arsonal, but if they wont I will, if I can be sure I am not doing it just because I can't stand the guy. I want to do it for the right reasons. I do think he is involved with this group though. As I think back to little comments that have been made over the years.
Let me make it clear that I am not afraid of this guy. I will not live a life of fear. I just pray the son can get away from from them. I have encouraged him to apply to college and move on campus. And not to bring home any girlfriends or friends. His family will scare them away!! As for me, I will be having as little contact as possible mostly because contact with them makes my blood pressure go up and makes my head hurt!

I think it's absolutely the right thing to do, to encourage the first-hand witness to the threats and arsenal to make the call. Give this person the phone number, and make certain they understand the importance of what they're doing. If they refuse, try to find out why they won't make the call. Use that information to decide whether or not you have a strong enough sense of the situation to make the call yourself. Use and NAME your source, so if the FBI needs to follow up, they know where to go. I'd hate for something to happen, and nothing had been done because the first-hand witness didn't want to get involved. What's the worse that can happen? You embarrass yourself and your source of information. I like that better than the alternative.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

Then you have an obligation to report it yourself. You suspect there is criminal activity going on. You can give them the screen name of the OP and they can look into it. You have just as much reason to suspect this person as she does. Hearsay.

We were not discussing whose obligation it was, just that there IS an obligation. For the record I am perfectly aware of what I can do and how I can do it.

As far as me having the same knowledge as the OP, I totally disagree. Do I have a name? An address? A description of what the person looks like? I didn't think so. This does not in any way mean that I wouldn't report it. Debating over whose obligation it is to report this is ridiculous at best.

 

[Fan2CSkr]

I bet the moms of those kids in daycare in Oklahoma wish that one of the many people who noticed Tim McVeigh's suspicious activities had given the FBI a call.

Exactly.

 

[Va-bear]

How many times do you think you will ever need to call? I have never placed a call, neither has anyone in my family. Most of America will never have a reason to call.

I would place a call with this information. Let them (FBI, Homeland,...) decide if they want to follow up or not.

Exactly. If you were supposed to eye-witness any crime you had info about our courts would be in big trouble. If you have info give it - thats all you can do; you dont have to prove anything, that is their job. This is info from a friend - not a rumor on the street.

 

[Va-bear]

Then you have an obligation to report it yourself. You suspect there is criminal activity going on. You can give them the screen name of the OP and they can look into it. You have just as much reason to suspect this person as she does. Hearsay.

No, the OP know the witness to this and the family involved.

 

[Obi-Wan Pinobi]

The OP also heard that they were planning to overthrough the government...that is what needs to be reported.

Maybe it's me, but that's not how I read the OP where they said this --

His group is preparing for a government take over when terrorists strike again, which they feel is very soon!!

I didn't read that as the person is part of group planning on taking over the government, but that they were preparing in self defense in case the government takes over, i.e. a suspension of civil rights that could or could not lead to a police state.

Judging from the OP's description, the guy sounds like a paranoid nut. That's a long way from saying he's plotting another OKC. Much of what the OP has said does sound like heresay. A call to the FBI under those conditions might result in a relatively new agent checking on paperwork, any files or previous reports on the person, etc., but probably not a huge investigation.

Like someone else said, it's not illegal to be paranoid or racist.

Just on the basis of all this, I wouldn't call. That doesn't mean I wouldn't be keeping my eyes open for other red flags.

 

[Cool-Beans]

The OP also heard that they were planning to overthrough the government...that is what needs to be reported.

Where does it say that? I just re-read it and it doesn't say that.

This is how gossip gets twisted around, and how it could be that what the OP "heard" isn't true.

OP, if you want to call the cops and tell them you think your "friend" might be doing something illegal (which being a racist isn't), go for it.

But, this could all be much ado about nothing.

 

[UrsulasShadow]

OP, could you please clarify "government takeover"? Did you mean the guy intends to take over the government, or that he's preparing for the eventuality of a "police state"? Inquiring minds want to know, and it'll clarify your thoughts for when you report this.

 

[chager]

OP, could you please clarify "government takeover"? Did you mean the guy intends to take over the government, or that he's preparing for the eventuality of a "police state"? Inquiring minds want to know, and it'll clarify your thoughts for when you report this.

What was said to me was that "the group", whoever that would be, but includes "pyscho guy" (my nickname for him) "is preparing to take over the government when the terrorists attack." Now I haven't had a chance to go back to the person I was talking to yet to clarify anything. It's been a rough weekend. I'm not sure if the intentions are to wait for a Police State or not. I don't want to speculate on what he is thinking. I seriously doubt he is a leader in anything, but a definate follower. Is he unstable? As far as I am concerned yes. He has a major malfunction in his thinking. The person I need to speak with has been ill the last couple days so I haven't even tried to talk to them. At one point they was fairly close friends with this guy and then they weren't. I never asked why because I figured they finally decided the guy was pyscho. Apparently from what I gleamed from our last conversation it had more to do with "pyscho" being involved with this militia group. Where as I am not afraid of pyscho man, my friend is. I find it irritating that so many people are afraid of him though. I will encourage my friend to make a call though. I would rather it be unfounded or have someone else decide it isn't worthy of any merit, then not do anything and all of a sudden something does happen! I'll even volunteer to sit with them while they do it. In today's world you almost can't be too careful. Although I don't think "the plan" is to walk up and take over by causing the problem ( blowing up a building or something like that), I do think they are waiting for something to happen to step in. That is the way I understood what was said.