Bill Would Protect Those Who Report Suspicious Activity

By Rachel Christiansen

Citizens who report suspicious activity relating to terrorism may no longer face the threat of frivolous lawsuits, if Sens. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) and Susan Collins (R-Maine) get their way.

The duo, who lead the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, introduced legislation Tuesday entitled, the “See Something, Say Something Act of 2011.” The bill is aimed at making it easier for citizens to report suspicious activity to authorities.

“Just last month, the FBI arrested a man in Texas who tried to buy dangerous chemicals from a supplier who notified authorities,” Lieberman said in a statement. “We want to encourage such behavior and not let the threat of lawsuits deter honest citizens who see something, to say something.”

“Time and again, we’ve seen terrorist plots disrupted because alert citizens noticed suspicious behavior and alerted law enforcement,” he added.

House Judiciary Committee Chairman Lamar Smith (R-Texas) will reportedly introducing a similar bill in the House.