See Something, Say Something: A Complete Guide to Reporting Rules and Legal Protections

Table of Contents#

1. What Is the "See Something, Say Something" Program?
2. What Counts as Reportable Suspicious Activity?
3. Official Reporting Rules to Follow
4. Key Protections for Good Faith Reporters
5. Common "See Something, Say Something" Myths Debunked
6. Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting a Safe, Valid Report
7. Conclusion
8. References

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What Is the "See Something, Say Something" Program?#

The national "See Something, Say Something" campaign was officially launched by DHS in 2010, adapted from a 2002 New York City MTA public safety initiative developed after the 9/11 attacks. The core premise of the program is that community members are the first line of defense against public safety threats, as they are most likely to notice unusual or high-risk behavior in spaces they frequent.

While originally focused on counterterrorism, the program has expanded over the past decade to cover a wide range of safety concerns across public, educational, and workplace settings, including:

• Active violence and mass threat risks
• Unattended hazardous items or potential explosive devices
• Workplace harassment, discrimination, and unethical conduct
• Unsafe working conditions and OSHA violations
• Risks of self-harm or harm to other individuals

All 50 U.S. states, as well as thousands of private employers, school districts, and transit agencies, have adopted the program’s reporting frameworks to encourage community-led safety monitoring.

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What Counts as Reportable Suspicious Activity?#

A common source of confusion for many people is distinguishing between harmless everyday behavior and activity that warrants a report. The core rule of thumb is to report behavior, not personal characteristics. Reports based solely on someone’s race, ethnicity, religion, gender, sexual orientation, disability, or housing status qualify as illegal profiling and are not valid.

Reportable Activity in Public Spaces#

You should file a report if you observe any of the following:

1. Unattended items in high-traffic areas (e.g., backpacks, suitcases, or containers left in subway stations, event venues, or office lobbies with no obvious owner)
2. Unusual surveillance activity (e.g., someone taking repeated photos or videos of security infrastructure, building access points, or utility systems without a clear professional reason)
3. Tampering with security cameras, locks, or public utility systems
4. Verbal or written threats of violence against people or property
5. Attempts to gain unauthorized access to restricted areas of buildings or transit systems
6. Purchase, transport, or storage of large quantities of hazardous materials (e.g., explosives, toxic chemicals) without a valid professional or personal use case.

Reportable Activity in Workplaces and Schools#

In internal settings, reportable activity includes:

1. Explicit or implied threats of workplace or school violence
2. Harassment, discrimination, or bullying that violates organizational policies
3. Unsafe working conditions that risk injury or illness to staff or students
4. Fraud, embezzlement, or other unethical or illegal conduct by leadership or staff
5. Signs of potential self-harm or suicidal intent from peers, colleagues, or students.

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Official Reporting Rules to Follow#

To ensure your report is valid, actionable, and protected, follow these official rules outlined by DHS and most local law enforcement and organizational policies:

1. Stick to observable, factual details only Avoid assumptions, opinions, or guesses about a person’s intent. For example, instead of saying “a suspicious-looking man left a bag,” say “a man in a navy blue hoodie left a 2-foot black duffel bag under seat 14B on the northbound 6 train at 5th Avenue Station at 2:17 PM and exited the train without it.”
2. Report to the correct authority immediately For imminent threats (e.g., someone with a weapon, an active fire), call 911 first. For non-urgent public concerns, contact local law enforcement’s non-emergency line, transit staff, or venue security. For workplace or school concerns, submit a report to your HR team, student affairs office, or designated anonymous safety hotline.
3. Never confront a suspicious person or tamper with unattended items Confrontation can escalate risk to yourself and others, and tampering with unknown items can trigger explosions or release hazardous materials. Leave intervention to trained first responders.
4. You may choose to report anonymously Nearly all official reporting channels allow anonymous submissions. If you provide contact information, your identity will be kept confidential unless required by law during a formal investigation.
5. Never submit intentional false reports Filing a false report as a prank or to target another person is a criminal offense in all 50 U.S. states. Penalties vary by state and the severity of the false report, but can include misdemeanor or felony charges, significant fines, and jail time.

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Key Protections for Good Faith Reporters#

One of the biggest barriers to reporting is fear of retaliation or legal consequences if your report turns out to be unfounded. Multiple federal, state, and organizational protections apply to all reports submitted in good faith, defined as a reasonable belief that the activity you are reporting poses a safety risk.

Federal Protections#

• Federal law (6 U.S.C. § 1104, enacted as part of the Implementing Recommendations of the 9/11 Commission Act of 2007) grants full civil immunity to any person who, in good faith and based on objectively reasonable suspicion, makes a voluntary report of suspicious activity to an authorized official. This means you cannot be sued for defamation, harassment, or privacy violations if your report is made with reasonable safety concerns.
• OSHA’s Whistleblower Protection Program protects private sector employees from retaliation (including firing, demotion, pay cuts, or workplace harassment) if they report unsafe working conditions, illegal activity, or discrimination in good faith.

State Protections#

• Many states have whistleblower protection laws, but not all states' Good Samaritan laws extend to public safety reporting.
• The majority of states have additional whistleblower protection laws that cover public sector employees and employees of small businesses not covered by federal OSHA rules.

Organizational Protections#

• Many large U.S. employers have explicit anti-retaliation policies for staff who report safety concerns or policy violations. The Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and other industry groups regularly survey employers on workplace compliance policies, including anti-retaliation protections.
• Most school districts have policies that protect students from bullying or disciplinary action if they report safety concerns in good faith.

Note: Protections do not apply to reports made with malicious intent, reports based on profiling, or intentional false reports.

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Common "See Something, Say Something" Myths Debunked#

Let’s break down the most common misconceptions that prevent people from reporting safety concerns:

1. Myth: I will get in trouble if my report turns out to be nothing. Fact: As long as your report is made in good faith, you are fully protected from legal or professional consequences. Law enforcement and safety teams regularly receive false alarms, and they prioritize missing a real threat far more than they penalize well-intentioned reports.
2. Myth: Reporting is snitching, and I shouldn’t get involved in other people’s business. Fact: Reporting safety concerns protects your community, colleagues, and family members. According to FBI data, some active shooter incidents were stopped by civilian bystander reports or intervention, but the specific percentage varies by year.
3. Myth: Someone else will report this, so I don’t need to. Fact: The bystander effect, a well-documented social phenomenon, means that the more people present at a scene, the less likely any individual is to take action. Your report may be the only one submitted, and could prevent serious harm.
4. Myth: I can only report terrorist activity. Fact: The “See Something, Say Something” framework now covers all public and workplace safety risks, from unattended bags that could be fire hazards to workplace harassment and threats of self-harm. Check your local agency or employer’s reporting guidelines for specific covered concerns.

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Step-by-Step Guide to Submitting a Safe, Valid Report#

Follow these simple steps to submit a report that is actionable, compliant with rules, and protected:

1. Assess threat urgency first If there is an immediate risk of harm (e.g., a person with a weapon, a suspicious item emitting smoke), call 911 immediately before documenting details.
2. Document all factual details Write down or record the time, exact location, description of people or items involved, and exactly what behavior you observed. Avoid adding opinions or assumptions about intent.
3. Select the appropriate reporting channel
   • Immediate public threats: 911
   • Non-urgent public safety concerns: Local police non-emergency line, venue security, or transit staff
   • Workplace/school concerns: HR, EHS (Environment, Health and Safety) team, student affairs office, or official anonymous reporting hotline
4. Submit your report Clearly state if you wish to remain anonymous when submitting your report. If you provide contact information, note that authorities may follow up to request additional details.
5. Follow up if you have new information If you observe additional related activity after submitting your report, contact the authority you reported to with the new details to support their investigation.

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Conclusion#

The “See Something, Say Something” program is only effective when community members feel confident reporting safety concerns without fear of negative consequences. By understanding what counts as reportable activity, following official reporting rules, and knowing your legal and professional protections, you can play a key role in keeping your community, workplace, and school safe. Share this guide with friends, family, and colleagues to help close the knowledge gap that prevents thousands of life-saving reports every year.

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References#

1. U.S. Department of Homeland Security. If You See Something, Say Something® - About the Campaign. Retrieved from https://www.dhs.gov/see-something-say-something/about-campaign
2. 6 U.S.C. § 1104 - Immunity for reports of suspected terrorist activity or suspicious behavior. Retrieved from https://codes.findlaw.com/us/title-6-domestic-security/6-usc-sect-1104/
3. Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Whistleblower Protection Program. Retrieved from https://www.whistleblowers.gov/
4. Federal Bureau of Investigation. Active Shooter Incidents in the United States. Retrieved from https://www.fbi.gov/file-repository/reports-and-publications/active-shooter-incidents-in-the-us-2021-052422.pdf/view