Antiterrorism: Summer awareness Published May 25, 2017 By Nick Zallas Installation Antiterrorism Officer HANSCOM AIR FORCE BASE, Mass. -- With the recent terrorist event in Manchester, England, we must continue to be aware of our surroundings and watch for any signs that might indicate something is out of place. If you see anything suspicious, report it immediately to law enforcement. The fight against terrorism boils down to a fundamental battle of good against evil. I was recently traveling from Boston to St. Louis when, as I was standing in the Department of Homeland Security line, a young women slipped passed a rope stanchion in order to try and move up to the head of the inspection line by passing in front of me. I called a DHS guard who took her aside for questioning about what she was trying to do. If you see something, say something. Summer is just around the corner and this means that, with the good weather, most of you will be out enjoying the special New England sights. This includes attending baseball games, outdoor concerts and other events involving large crowds or mass gatherings. The upcoming Fourth of July celebrations at the Hatch Shell in Boston, as well as Sail Boston in June are other examples. These types of events appeal to potential terrorists looking to make a name for themselves and their organizational ideology. The terrorist threat against the West has not diminished; in fact, instances of attacks like the one in Manchester are on the rise. Although ISIS has been the focus of a number of recent events, it is difficult to determine if the groups claiming responsibility are actually the ones who planned and conducted such attacks, or merely inspired them. Law enforcement and intelligence agencies are hard-pressed to address the increasing number of threats and plots, prevent them, and investigate them thoroughly when they happen. The problem with terrorists is that their activities are hard to predict and, at present, it seems the “lone wolf” individual actor winds up being the perpetrator. Terrorist targets are often unpredictable because their focus may be on innocent victims or on soft or innocuous targets. Terrorists look to make us fearful of doing the common things we enjoy. Let’s not allow them to change who and what we are. Stay vigilant, report anything suspicious that you see, take precautions and enjoy the New England summer.