Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
to slow down or speed up with you? By the way, one of the most effective
ways to compromise surveillance is by driving on a highway
below
the
posted limit. In point of fact, most people routinely break the speed limit.
If you are driving at an almost painfully slow speed, most people will pass
you. See who does not. It is very difficult to slow down enough to stay
behind someone under those conditions. Surveillance operatives often
have the lead car pass and exit the highway when possible. The alternate
stays comfortably back to allow for distance to be eaten up slowly if it must
eventually pass the subject. The more effective method is to use a heli-
copter to stay with a subject looking for “a tail.” Another effective method
is to use tracking devices. If the folks on you are this sophisticated, then
you have a problem.
Use your rear- and side-view mirrors. Notice cars around you, espe-
cially cars that seem to mirror your movements. If you are able, jot down
their license plate numbers. Pay attention, and detecting surveillance is
not all that difficult to do. Remember, your goal is to detect the presence
of surveillance without doing anything to indicate that you are aware that
you are being followed. There are many more aggressive ways to “burn”
surveillance. Let your tail follow you down a one-way street. Radically
change speed or change lanes repeatedly. Exit a highway and then imme-
diately reenter back onto the same road. Double back along your route.
There are many other such methods that, while they are very likely to
reveal whether you are being followed, you should avoid. You need to be
very low key and select only those techniques that don't advertise the fact
that you are checking to see if you are being followed.
While you are being followed, you are at risk. Stay calm, try to confirm
your suspicions, and do nothing to confront or antagonize the people who
are tailing you. You have the advantage as long as the bad guys believe
they are still invisible. Once they realize that you know they are there, they
can change from surveillance to assault, if that is their ultimate purpose.
If you find yourself the subject of surveillance, you need to start to
“what-if ” the situation. If you are attacked, where can you go for help? How
far is it to the embassy or consulate? Are the local police likely to assist you?
The first and best choice, when possible, is to drive immediately to the
embassy, where you will be safe and where you can speak with the regional
security officer or a subordinate. That person will advise you what to do
and will notify whatever local authorities he or she deems appropriate. If
the officer believes that you are in imminent danger, he or she will assist
you in safely leaving the country if necessary.
