We have all been shocked by the long-predicted terrorist threat as of Sept. 11, 2001. Much has been made by commentators of the “failure of our intelligence services” and the need for “human intelligence.” Yet, no one has emphasized the value of an alert domestic citizenry. If the people who had rented properties to the terrorists and given flight lessons to them had "only known." Now, we all know better.

Is there something Realtors can do to prevent other attacks? Yes, there is. We can use our powers of observation and report out of the ordinary activities.

As we now know, the Sept. 11 terrorists operated undetected in this country for at least fifteen months. Some terrorists associated with the recent attack on our country may still be here. The good news is that they cannot exist in a vacuum. They need housing, food, transportation, communications, financing and everyday supplies.

And that is where Realtors can be helpful. Like police officers, real estate professionals have a sixth sense for people and transactions that aren't quite right. But we can't always rely on that.

Sometimes terrorists are not what they appear. Some have assignments to simply blend into a community and they can do so for a very long time. These are called sleeper agents. Sleepers are “agents-in-place” who can be “awakened” at any moment by receiving a command, perhaps a “code phrase,” and ordered to do whatever is necessary. The orders could involve purchase of supplies, from items as innocent as batteries, to firearms and ammunition, and even explosives. Or, obtaining cash or setting up credit card accounts. Or anything else required to execute a planned strike.

They also rent property.

Like the flight school instructor who recalled that a suspected terrorist only wanted to learn turns, instead of take-offs and landings, you can be alert to unusual requests and behaviors regarding property rentals or purchases.

What if you think you have experienced something suspicious? Search your memory and written records. Look for anything that is unusual or doesn't meet the normal course of business for your area. Look for a rental paid well ahead in cash. Look for changes on or about Sept. 11th, such as the abrupt move-out of a renter.

Gather all the data you have on hand - copies of leases, driver’s licenses, passports (always make a clear photocopy of the photograph page of a passport when one is offered as identification) vehicle descriptions and registration numbers, social security numbers, telephone numbers, previous addresses, or any references given. If you are confronted with a new client acting suspiciously, string them along and gather as much data as you can without alerting them to your purpose. Take no personal action or risks of any kind.

Don't call a government agency until you have your information ready to turn over in a file. Don't expect government or police agencies to reveal anything to you, or include you in any investigation. If you can furnish useful information, rest assured that it will be processed and correlated with everything else they have on file. A successful investigation often consists of assembling minute details from a variety of sources, followed by some old-fashioned “police work.”

One more thing Realtors can do is to remind everybody you deal with on a daily basis to be alert as well. For example, convenience store operators, restaurant owners (one suspect was working as a dishwasher right here in my own backyard on Sanibel Island, Florida) and motel operators. Talk about it, and keep on talking about it.

Right now, merely by being vigilant, you can help yourself and all Americans to insure that we all live in a free and safe country where everyone can conduct “business as usual.”

Published: September 24, 2001

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