How a floating box turns. When the target makes a right turn at an intersection, the right-side outrider also turns right- and becomes the new advance vehicle. As shown above, other members of the surveillance team also transform their roles. The former advance vehicle becomes the new left-side outrider. The backup vehicle becomes the new right-side outrider. And the left-side outrider becomes the new command vehicle. In the situation shown above, the former command vehicle usually continues straight through the intersection, so as not to attract attention to itself. It will be replaced by another FBI agent being held in reserve by the leader. The same principles apply when the target makes a left turn at a side-street intersection. Because this type of maneuver by the surveillance team results in predictable positions, an experienced target can use a deliberate turn as an antisurveillance method to detect the outriders and advance units of the surveillance teams. For more information about anti-surveillance and countersurveillance techniques, see the fourth turorial in this five part series. Special situations... An especially troublesome situation for the vehicle surveillance team is a sudden U-turn by the target. In many instances, the FBI has no way of knowing if the target simply missed his turn or if he is executing a deliberate countersurveillance maneuver. The illustration below depicts how the FBI typically responds to a sudden U-turn. The backup vehicle immediately makes a left turn. This puts the FBI agent in a position to monitor the target and slip in behind him as he drives past. While this is happening, the other members of hte surveillance team will be doing their best to redeploy in the new configuration. Many newcomers who find themselves under FBI vehicle surveillance soon grasp the idea that U-turns are an effective way to befuddle the surveillance team. These newbies tend to make a U-turn and then try to detect vehicles "following" them. What they should be doing instead is watching for a vehicle making a quick left run in response to the target's sudden U-turn. ANTISURVEILLANCE TIP- Over a period of a few days, make a few upredictable, sudden U-turns. If you see a pattern of vehicles turning away immediately after your U-turn, you may be undersurveillance. Diversions and decoys... The FBI has become sophisticated in its use of diversions and decoys to cover the activities of its vehicle surveillance teams. Diversion #1- Tailgating. That inconsiderate driver tailgainting you is not always just some shmuck. The FBI has found that this diversion is an excellent way to take your mind off other things that may be happening around you, like surveillance, for example. Diversion #2- Musical chairs. You're stopped at a red light, and the bozo in the car ahead of you next page |
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