“Groups cloak their true identities in a variety of ways. Some are citizens groups, some are clubs, and others are churches.”
Groups will not purchase property to establish a presence near a target but they will rent properties near his residence or sublet apartments. They will also occupy vacant property by breaking in and using it.
Extremist groups have relationships with local gangs and other criminal groups which penetrate deeply into the communities in which they operate. The surveillance operations are often conducted by local gang members in association with group members.
In order to establish bases of operation, they will enlist the assistance of neighbors. In many areas, they can do this by intimidation. Those who do not co-operate can be targeted, which includes harassment of their families and damage to their homes and vehicles.
If they are dealing with individuals who do not know them, they can also appeal to their sense of patriotism and they can offer drugs, friendship, home repair, free taxi rides and what ever else they have to. In some cases they may even be able to get a key to the residence from a “patriotic” landlord.
Surveillance on a residence is by triangulation. They watch it from three different positions. They will use the garage, or erect shacks or sit in cars on the property of co-operating neighbors. If they have to, they will even sit in their vehicles on the street but they will do frequent trade-offs.
Surveillance is conducted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. When a target leaves his residence they will alert the group, either by cell phone or by business band radio. Other members, who are patrolling the perimeter to watch for police and other vehicles driving in the area, will race to the location to begin pursuit. In small towns, where business band radio is widely used, these activities are a local sport among a small group. Anyone with a scanner can join in. Some targets have reported hearing an announcement on their scanners as soon as they turn their lights on in the morning.
Group members maintain a vigil around the target’s residence. They can always find a valid reason to be there. They will mow neighbors’ grass, hang around any businesses in the area, join nearby churches, join neighborhood watch associations, hold meetings at the homes of neighbors, hold neighborhood parties, deliver newspapers to people who don’t subscribe to a newspaper, and whatever else they can think of. they will have co-operating neighbors hold lawn sales so their members can maintain a presence in the area. …
In a typical apartment setting, they will attempt to lease, sublet, or otherwise have access to apartments above, below, and on both sides of the target. They will also “guard” the vehicles of a target in the parking lot. If they have occupied apartments surrounding a target, typically normal noises like toilets flushing, doors closing, people talking, etc. will not be heard. The only noises that will be heard are in response to something the target does. If he flushes a toilet, he may hear a car horn honk, the sound of a power tool or hammering, for example. There will also be a large number of people coming and going, and accompanying rowdiness and noise. Groups watch the residence with binoculars, attempting to see inside. If they can, they will time the generation of noise to movements inside the residence. If they gain entry to the residence, they will attempt to move curtains or blinds so they can see.
…
They will try to enlist the support of anyone who has access to the residence of a target. This includes janitorial service workers, gardeners, baby sitters, etc. in a typical apartment complex, they will probably be able to enlist the aid of one or more members of the staff and pest control personnel, who have keys. It is not uncommon of them to obtain the support of security guards who monitor security cameras. A common ruse used by these groups is that they are a “citizens group” which assists the police and they are “just keeping track” of a certain individual, for whatever reason. The illusion is reinforced by the case files they carry which are complete with photos of the target and look like those used by police.
An important element of the surveillance operation is the isolation imposed on the residence of a target. Since group members establish a perimeter around the residence and patrol it, they are alert to any marked police cars which come near it. If a target complains that numerous people are knocking on his door for peculiar reasons, they won’t be around next time the police arrive. It isolation imposed on the target’s residence also provides protection for other activities like drug dealing.
When extremist groups rent property around a target’s residence, it is often rented by a group member of a local gang, who typically receives up to $100 a month for use of the property by the group. Group members use the property to watch the target in shifts. In other cases, no one will actually live in the residence, but there will be a steady stream of different people at all times of the day and night. [p 27]
Author’s quote summing up the extremist groups’ concept of themselves:
“Who are we? We drive the ambulances that take you to the emergency room. When your house is burning, we put out the fire. We are security guards. We protect you at night. You only have electricity, phone and cable service because of us. We are janitors. We have the keys. We fix your cars. You don’t want to mess with us.”
Search and Seizure
“Groups typically consider themselves to be investigators who are gathering information to be used to lay charges against the target. A typical police investigation lasts a few days. An investigation by a private investigator may last a month and it may involve being followed around by two or three people. The ‘investigations’ conducted by extremist groups against individuals can last for decades and involve hundreds of ‘investigators’. Some extremist leaders say that what they do is essentially what investigative journalists do, but they don’t mention the harassment, break-ins, or property damage.”
Overt or Covert Operation
Typically, harassment tactics are not used unless a target is alone. If he is with others, group members will still surround him, but they will not reveal their presence. Many targets never experience the kind of harassment described here, because they are not alone very often. Others do not recognize that they are being harassed by an organized group. They just think that there are a lot of rude people in the world. Targets who do not experience physical harassment are still targets for other types of attacks.
Physical harassment is used when a target has no witnesses. An objective is to isolate the target from his family and friends. He can tell them about all the strange things happening around him, but they will not understand and perhaps will think he is crazy. Sometimes other members of the family will receive the same treatment. Here are the most common tactics used by groups across the country.
On the Road
When a target is driving, standard practice is to surround his vehicle and attempt to control his speed. He will not be followed in close proximity by the same vehicles for a long distance. They do frequent trade-offs. Vehicles line up behind the target for a short distance and then move out of place so the next vehicle can take over. Frequently, vehicles in the convoy will have their high beam headlights on during the day, so a target frequently have a vehicle behind him which has its headlights on.
[NOTE: In the summer of 2004, I had a driver try to force me off the road. I called 911 while he was driving up to my bumper fast and then slamming on his brakes repeatedly (even though it was an empty two lane road and I was in the righthand lane). While I was talking to the police he drove up next to me and gave me the finger, then swerved dangerously towards my car several times before speeding off ahead of me too fast for me to get his licence plate number. A couple of months later I had a limo driver parked out front of my house who randomly gave me the finger as I crossed the street on foot. A couple of days after the limo driver incident, I had a teenager do the same thing as he passed by me on foot. See Gang Stalking Slideshow for another incident. -L.]
In many parts of the country it is common to see groups of six to 30 or more vehicles driving around in convoys with their high beams on during the day. This is one of the ways a convoy can be identified. Sometimes they will also drive in formation, in a single column with vehicles spaced one car length apart. When they drive around at night, the brightness of their headlights can light up the sky.Group vehicles follow far in front of and behind the target in both directions to watch for marked police vehicles. A target knows a police vehicle is approaching when vehicles move away from him. Group members also travel on roads parallel to the road being traveled by the target, in order to intercept his vehicle when he turns.
It is not uncommon for a target traveling alone to see group members hold tissue over their noses as if there were a bad smell. They may also wave or make some gesture to attract attention.
Group members have feelings of inferiority, but when they are with their group they are fearless, especially when they are in the safety of their vehicles. This can be especially dangerous for a target because they are connected by cell phone, and they achieve group status by engaging in extreme behavior. Some groups reward a “member of the week” with a free night on the town and a limo ride.
Cutting off the target vehicle or waiting beside the road for him to pass and then pulling out in front of him are common. When this is done, other group members may attempt to be in a position to prevent him from getting out of the way of the attacking vehicle. If there is an accident the group member will have half a dozen “concerned citizens” to testify to his version of what happened.
Other vehicle related tactics include blockade, so the target vehicle cannot leave a parking lot, for example, or he is surrounded by slow moving vehicles.
Standard practice is to watch the target’s vehicles and this subjects them to damage including slashed tires, scratched paint, stolen license plates, etc. Typically they would not cut the brake lines on vehicles or commit other similar acts of sabotage, but they would drain the oil or antifreeze over a period of time. If they are able to enter the vehicles, items may be removed and then returned or items may be put in the vehicles. If they can enter vehicles and the residence they may take items from the residence and put them in the vehicle and vice versa.
[NOTE: Half the oil was drained from my car when it hit 50,000 km (31,000 mi.) and was just 1 month out of warranty. The engine had to be rebuilt. The brakes were caked in so much rust that the repair shop asked if it had been sitting in water for a long time, (but there was not a spot of rust on the body). Just before the harassment escalated, someone left flowers all over my lawn and on top of my car and kept leaving pieces of garbage on my front lawn every night. The daily piece of garbage on the front lawn continued when I moved to a completely different city. (If you look at the Gang Stalking Slideshow, you will see that it is not a dirty neighbourhood.) -L.]
On Foot
A target will be followed on foot wherever he goes. Anyone can go to the same public places he goes, and they will attempt to get into any other restricted places he goes, including hospitals, places of employment, etc. It has been said that it is possible to go nearly anywhere if you have a clipboard in your hand and it is almost true. They also like to wear name badges on a lanyard, and some carry phony police badges.
Common harassment tactics used by those on foot include pen clicking, in which they repeatedly click a ball point pen, key rattling, and rattling change in their pockets while standing behind the target. Many tactics are tried and the result is observed. Those which evoke a response from the target are repeated. When a target sits anywhere in public, group members will attempt to sit behind him in order to create noise, by whatever means, including tapping their feet on the target’s chair. The objective is to harass the target constantly.
Sensitization tactics, which are used to make sure the target knows he is being watched, include picture taking and filming.
Another sensitization technique is note taking. This is done when the target is stationary, for example in a restaurant. The note taker appears to take a note each time the target makes a movement, or says anything. There are happy note takers and unhappy note takers. Happy note takers find everything he says and does to be funny, while unhappy note takers find everything he says to be wrong or inappropriate.
Only certain members are allowed to establish contact with the target. Contact is not made without backup, to act as witnesses and protect one another. A target will sometimes attack a group member. Having witnesses makes it possible to have him charged or to protect the group member who is doing the harassing.
Group members will attempt to physically intimidate a target if they can, by standing very close. Swarming is a tactic which is also used. It involves totally surrounding a target so he cannot move.
Traveling
A target cannot escape by traveling. If groups know of his travel plans, and there is a good chance they do, they will have a member purchase a ticket on the same flight. Groups are not concerned with the federal laws against stalking across state lines. If they cannot get on the same plane, group members will “meet” him at whatever U.S. airport he lands at and the same pattern of stalking and harassment is continued. There is a good chance they will be able to get into his hotel room.
At Home
A common tactic use by groups is noise campaigns. Group members will drive by the target’s residence or work place, honking their horns, squealing tires, and making whatever other noise they can.
They will also make noise from whatever nearby properties they have access to. Typically, they will make noise when the target goes outside. Group members will also frequently knock on his door for whatever peculiar reasons they can dream up.
In an apartment setting, targets can expect to hear tapping on the walls in the middle of the night, taps running, hammering etc. from the upper and/or lower apartments, and possibly the apartments on both sides. They will continue to “work” on these activities for as long as they can get away with them.
Group members work in shifts in apartments they have access to. They work 24 hours a day and do not take holidays. Their job is to make noise and alert the group when he leaves. This activity can last for many years.
Often they occupy a nearby apartment, part time, when the owner is not there and he receives some benefit. A target may notice someone leaving a nearby apartment when he leaves his, and arrive when he arrives. In addition, he will often be accompanied in elevators by a steady stream of different individuals who go to the apartments being used by the group.
In an apartment setting or in a house, if they have installed listening devices, or if they can maintain a close enough presence to hear sounds coming from the target’s residence, it is not uncommon for a target to hear honking horns and occasionally fire engine or ambulance sirens when he uses or flushes the toilet, or makes other noise.
[NOTE: This is a common activity of the perpetrators – making a corresponding noise when someone is in the bathroom. Many gang stalking targets have reported this. -L.]
… it is not uncommon, in an apartment setting, for a target to hear someone moving from room to room as he does, from the upper or lower apartment.
A target can also expect frequent disruption of electric, phone, cable and sometimes even water service. Service will be shut off to an entire block, rather than just to the target.
Set-ups
Groups study their targets, and as a result they are fully aware of whatever weakness he may have. If he is addicted to alcohol, drugs, gambling, sex etc. They will know it and they will attempt to exploit it. Calling the police to report a drunken driver is standard practice.
Relationships
Groups attempt to interfere with any business and personal relationships which the target has. Typically, this interference involves character assassination from some anonymous individual and is not usually taken seriously by those who know the target. It can be effective with people who don’t know the target.
At work, the target will also experience character assassination. If he works in any position where he has to deal with the public, there will be a steady stream of customers who complain about him. If he is a real estate agent, he will have a steady stream of prospects who occupy his time but never make an offer.
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