NPA Joins NYPD ‘Operation Nexus’ Initiative

Operation Nexus is a nationwide network of businesses and enterprises joined in an effort to prevent another terrorist attack on U.S. soil. The network already includes more than 25,000 firms, and is being joined nationwide by trade, business, and professional associations that have agreed to transmit the Operation

Nexus “Best Practices” message to their members. To realize the goals of Operation Nexus—terrorism detection and prevention—in the parking industry, parking owners, operators, and employees are encouraged to report unusual and/or suspicious activity that might indicate a link to terrorism to local or federal authorities and the NYPD through its counter-terrorism hotline at: 1-888-NYC-SAFE.

According to the NYPD Intelligence Division, terrorism detection and prevention can be best achieved by using the following list of suspicious activities as part of a “Best Practices” guideline to detect questionable behavior:

- Individuals trying to obtain employment as a valet with no proper identification or paperwork.
- A vehicle remains unclaimed by its owner or exceeds the parking term agreement.
- A vehicle shows signs of damage or theft.
- A vehicle appears weighted down (rear part sags noticeably) for no apparent reason.
- A vehicle emits a strange odor, such as a chemical (e.g., vinegar-like) or organic smell (e.g., fertilizer).
- A liquid substance, not normally associated with a vehicle, is observed leaking from the passenger compartment or trunk.
- A vehicle contains metal cylinders, tanks, PVC pipe, fire extinguishers, batteries, containers, or any unusual wiring.
- A vehicle exhibits recent bodywork.
- A vehicle has excessively tinted windows.
- The license plates on a vehicle do not match (e.g., different front and back plates); license plates look “improvised.”
- The registration or inspection stickers appear altered or falsified. (Note: The Al Qaeda training manual states, “The license plate number and county name should be falsified. Further, the digits should be numerous in order to prevent anyone from spotting and memorizing them.”)

If any of the above is sited on your property, contact your appropriate local authority, as well as the NYPD at: 1-888-NYC-SAFE, immediately. If you would like to contribute to the “Best Practices” guidelines, visit the NYPD Web site at: www.nyc.gov/nypd, where additional information about Operation Nexus may be found.