Well, this is creepy.

[audette]

I hope it's inflated concern that generated the notice, but it provides a good reminder about PERSEC (of which I'm pretty poor at following myself, so perhaps it's time to be more cautious).

denver.cbslocal.com/2015/08/04/fbi-middle-eastern-men-intimidating-u-s-military-families-in-colorado-wyoming/

Text of the article:

DENVER (CBS4) – An alert has been issued by the FBI to all law enforcement agencies in Colorado and Wyoming involving U.S. military families and concerns about who may be watching them.

The alert says Middle Eastern men are approaching families of U.S. military members at their homes in Colorado and Wyoming. It mentions Greeley, Colorado, and Cheyenne, Wyoming, as the specific areas.

In one case last May the wife of a military member was approached in front of her home by two Middle Eastern males. The men stated that she was the wife of a U.S. interrogator. When she denied their claims the men laughed. The two men left the area in a dark-colored, four-door sedan with two other Middle Eastern males in the vehicle.

“The woman had observed the vehicle in the neighborhood on previous occasions,” the alert states.

Similar incidents in Wyoming have been reported to the FBI throughout June 2015.

“On numerous occasions family members of military personnel were confronted by Middle Eastern males in front of their homes.”

The FBI’s alert says Middle Eastern men attempted to gain personal information about military members and family members through intimidation. Those family members reported feeling scared.

The alert says the men haven’t been identified and the FBI isn’t sure if the incidents all involve the same men.

While the FBI won’t comment on the alert to CBS4, Colorado’s Department of Homeland Security says it is aware of it and says military families are encouraged to report any suspicious behavior to the FBI.

The alert says people in Colorado who are approached should contact the FBI Fort Collins Resident Agency at [phone]. In Wyoming contact the FBI Cheyenne Resident Agency at [phone].

[meltoine]

It is creepy, but I'm feeling defensive about the use of "Middle Eastern" males in such a context. How do they know they're ME?

[Deleted]

Aug 5, 2015 15:59:51 GMT -5 meltoine said:

It is creepy, but I'm feeling defensive about the use of "Middle Eastern" males in such a context. How do they know they're ME?

This is where I am. "Middle Eastern"? Seriously?

[audette]

Aug 5, 2015 18:44:30 GMT -5 @villainv said:

Aug 5, 2015 15:59:51 GMT -5 meltoine said:

It is creepy, but I'm feeling defensive about the use of "Middle Eastern" males in such a context. How do they know they're ME?

This is where I am. "Middle Eastern"? Seriously?

I'll give you that...

[nsl]

^o)

[killercupcake]

Aug 5, 2015 15:59:51 GMT -5 meltoine said:

It is creepy, but I'm feeling defensive about the use of "Middle Eastern" males in such a context. How do they know they're ME?

Sitting in this corner. 

It's all very weird. 

[amaristella]

Creepy as heck. Yes.

But I also have to say that this just doesn't fit the modus operandi that we've been taught to look out for. Why, when there are other much more inconspicuous methods (internet everything! Phone calls, mail) of creeping on people out there would someone with intention of intimidating people be doing so in person? Who that does something like that wants to be recognized and possibly easily identified?

[styme46]

This has been all over my fb since I'm in that area. I am not sure what to think about it. The whole thing seems really weird to me.

[meltoine]

Aug 6, 2015 1:08:12 GMT -5 amaristella said:

Creepy as heck. Yes.

But I also have to say that this just doesn't fit the modus operandi that we've been taught to look out for. Why, when there are other much more inconspicuous methods (internet everything! Phone calls, mail) of creeping on people out there would someone with intention of intimidating people be doing so in person? Who that does something like that wants to be recognized and possibly easily identified?

So true. Online harassment poses much less risk to the perpetrator than approaching someone in person. 

Sidenote: When I told MH about this this morning he asked how the men would know they were military spouses. I said, "Didn't you ever notice that I don't have any bumper stickers, tshirts,  key chains, purses, etc identifying me as a spouse? This is why."

He legit thought I was like ashamed of him/his service or something. 

[amaristella]

Aug 6, 2015 16:43:52 GMT -5 meltoine said:

Aug 6, 2015 1:08:12 GMT -5 amaristella said:

Creepy as heck. Yes.

But I also have to say that this just doesn't fit the modus operandi that we've been taught to look out for. Why, when there are other much more inconspicuous methods (internet everything! Phone calls, mail) of creeping on people out there would someone with intention of intimidating people be doing so in person? Who that does something like that wants to be recognized and possibly easily identified?

So true. Online harassment poses much less risk to the perpetrator than approaching someone in person. 

Sidenote: When I told MH about this this morning he asked how the men would know they were military spouses. I said, "Didn't you ever notice that I don't have any bumper stickers, tshirts,  key chains, purses, etc identifying me as a spouse? This is why."

He legit thought I was like ashamed of him/his service or something. 

Ohh. I hope he feels better now.

I sometimes consider scraping the stickers from my windshield but they're also pretty common around these parts.

[NomadicMama]

Wait? So I should peel off my "Army Wife 4 Lyfe" bumper sticker from my car? <sigh>

I agree that having guys staked out at homes of service members, let alone approaching family members, seems off from everything.

Times like this, I appreciate the relative anonymity of living in Northern Virginia. DH is simply a ubiquitous contractor. Nothing to see here…

[styme46]

Here's a story from my local news yesterday: www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/Denver-FBI-Division-Issues-Message-to-Military-Members-320984371.html.

Of course, our local news is shitty so take it as you will.

[amaristella]

Aug 7, 2015 10:43:27 GMT -5 styme46 said:

Here's a story from my local news yesterday: www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/Denver-FBI-Division-Issues-Message-to-Military-Members-320984371.html.

Of course, our local news is shitty so take it as you will.

Meh. I'm not trying to dig into the FBI here at all. But just because something hasn't crossed their radar doesn't mean it's nonexistent.

[styme46]

Aug 8, 2015 0:08:09 GMT -5 amaristella said:

Aug 7, 2015 10:43:27 GMT -5 styme46 said:

Here's a story from my local news yesterday: www.kgwn.tv/home/headlines/Denver-FBI-Division-Issues-Message-to-Military-Members-320984371.html.

Of course, our local news is shitty so take it as you will.

Meh. I'm not trying to dig into the FBI here at all. But just because something hasn't crossed their radar doesn't mean it's nonexistent.

I hope you don't think I was trying to say it is nonexistent. I have no doubt in my mind that it is.

[amaristella]

Aug 10, 2015 13:08:39 GMT -5 styme46 said:

Aug 8, 2015 0:08:09 GMT -5 amaristella said:

Meh. I'm not trying to dig into the FBI here at all. But just because something hasn't crossed their radar doesn't mean it's nonexistent.

I hope you don't think I was trying to say it is nonexistent. I have no doubt in my mind that it is.

Oh no. I didn't mean that towards you at all. I meant it towards the FBI. I feel like the FBI is trying to be dismissive of people's concerns. Maybe they mean to be helpful, but I'm not sure I take it that way.

[styme46]

Aug 10, 2015 13:43:33 GMT -5 amaristella said:

Aug 10, 2015 13:08:39 GMT -5 styme46 said:

I hope you don't think I was trying to say it is nonexistent. I have no doubt in my mind that it is.

Oh no. I didn't mean that towards you at all. I meant it towards the FBI. I feel like the FBI is trying to be dismissive of people's concerns. Maybe they mean to be helpful, but I'm not sure I take it that way.

I just thought it was funny that they were the ones that issued the alert to begin with then put that other one out in rebuttal when it went viral. I agree with you that they are dismissive of people's concerns. It's scary any way you look at it!

And a bit too close to home for me....