Homeland Security Partners with Walmart on Safety Awareness

The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is working with Walmart to expand the government’s “If You See Something, Say Something” campaign. Walmart is the first national retailer to partner with the department on the initiative.

“Homeland security starts with hometown security, and each of us plays a critical role in keeping our country and communities safe,” Secretary of Homeland Security Janet Napolitano said in a statement. “I applaud Walmart for joining the ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign. This partnership will help millions of shoppers across the nation identify and report indicators of terrorism, crime and other threats to law enforcement authorities.”

The campaign was originally implemented by the New York Metropolitan Transportation Authority (MTA) and funded by a $13 million transit security grant from DHS. The program looked to educate key employees and commuters on how to identify and report indicators of terrorism and crime.

Under the initiative, transit passengers are asked to be alert to unattended packages, be wary of suspicious behavior, take notice of people in bulky or inappropriate clothing, report exposed wiring and report anyone tampering with surveillance cameras or entering unauthorized areas.

Nearly 600 Walmart stores equipped with video screens at registers will air a public service announcement from Napolitano this month.

DHS also announced on Dec. 1 that it would expand its program to incorporate the massive Mall of America and other locations in the state of Minnesota as well. It will work in conjunction with the Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative the state is already participating in.

“We are excited to partner with Mall of America and the Department of Homeland Security on their ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign,” said Minnesota Public Safety Commissioner Michael Campion in a statement. “We value our private partners and the work they do. Their efforts will go a long way to enhancing our statewide ‘If You See Something, Say Something’ campaign.”