Transportation Security

To report a suspicious security incident, please call the TSA National Operations Center toll-free at 866-615-5150.

CB Radio Transmissions and Homeland Security

The Highway ISAC requests assistance from the trucking industry and the highway sector in regards to CB Radio transmissions in the field. Several incidents have occurred in recent months where CB chatter from drivers on the road has been overheard and misconstrued, causing people to report what they heard to federal, state, and local law enforcement officers. At times, these transmissions can be misheard or taken out of context, as many truckers and drivers in the field have personal conversations over the CB. The Highway ISAC would therefore like to share some tips on how to avoid having a CB conversation get misunderstood and turn into an investigation which occupies the time and efforts of law enforcement officers, which can be better spent investigations into real incidents.

“Use airport etiquette”

When in certain locations where people know there is an increased awareness to security, most people will sensor themselves in the interest of public safety. Just as the old adage says: “You can’t shout FIRE in a crowded theater”; which is why people in Airports, especially after 9/11 have simply self-censored themselves to stop using words like “Bomb”, “Terrorist”, “Gun”, etc. in order to be conscious of the heightened level of security affecting air travel after 9/11/01.

In the spirit of this consciousness being applied to air transportation, we therefore request the same effort to avoid phrases and/or words that may be misconstrued or taken out of context be paid by professionals in the Highway Sector.

When using CB radios, remember, you are being overheard! No CB conversation is a private one, and a person may overhear your transmission and notify the authorities.

Please refrain from using the following words in your transmission unless the circumstances absolutely dictate the emergency use of them:

• Bomb (or any type thereof; such as explosives, plastic explosives, dynamite, etc.)
• Gun
• Kill
• Terrorist
• Blow Up
• Attack

Or anything else that common sense dictates may worry or scare someone who hears it. The practicing of this radio discretion will result in law enforcement being able to focus on capturing terrorist as opposed to responding to misinterpretations and jokes.