Ever since 9-11, all of us have been much more concerned about our personal safety. Many activities we had taken for granted in the past, such as riding on a commercial airplane or being in large crowds, no longer seem to be so safe.

When you live in a rural area like Robeson County, or in one of the small towns within the county, it is hard to visualize why we should be so concerned about Homeland Security. Isn't Homeland Security something those in large cities or in critical professions should be concerned about?

The truth is that those of us living in areas like Robeson County should probably be especially observant of any unusual activities that may be connected to Homeland Security. Our communities may be especially attractive to those planning terrorist activities, because we are so close to places like the military bases in Fayetteville and Jacksonville; port facilities like Wilmington and Charleston; and major metropolitan areas like Raleigh, Charlotte, Greensboro, and Florence. People planning terrorist activities may feel that they can get away with certain activities in communities where security is not so strict.

Because of this it is especially important for each of us to realize that we are the "eyes and ears" of our community. If we pay close attention to what is going on around us, there is probably not much that can happen in our communities without us knowing about it.

Rural areas like Robeson County could very possibly be more attractive to those planning terrorist activities because of fairly easy access to common agricultural products. Common fertilizer materials, like those used to manufacture the bomb that was used in Oklahoma City, are often used by our local farmers. Pesticides that are used by our farmers, if secured in large quantities, could be used to contaminate major water supplies anywhere in the United States.

More than likely, you have read recent news articles or seen reports on television about makeshift laboratories that are used to manufacture illegal drugs. Some of these reports have been about illegal activities right here in our county and in the other major rural counties in this region.

Those operating these labs use common agricultural products to manufacture illegal drugs. There is concern enough that these illegal drugs are being manufactured, but sometimes these labs are fronts to get money to fund terrorists activities right here in the United States and to support terrorism around the world.

Each of us should be especially observant of everything that goes on in our community and anything we see that looks the least suspicious as we travel from home to work each day or as we travel around the county. If we see anything that looks suspicious, we should notify the proper law enforcement agencies immediately.

The Lumberton Police Department and the Robeson County Sheriff's Department are taking the lead in Homeland Security within Robeson County. The police departments in each of the cities within the county, as well as Emergency Planning Departments and other emergency personnel, have been trained as well and are the points of contract for any suspicious activities.

Managers or sales people for businesses that sell agricultural products should be observant of customers they don't know or have not done business with in the past. This is especially true if these customers are trying to purchase unusual items like large quantities of fertilizers or bulk pesticides. If there is any suspicion at all, local authorities should be contacted so a quick background check can be made on the customer. Legitimate customers will probably have no objection to the slight inconvenience, but those involved in activities that are illegal will probably object to these type inquiries.

Farmers should use extra caution about leaving agricultural products in places that are not secure. Leaving truckloads of fertilizer materials or pesticides in fields overnight or under barn shelters that cannot be closely watched provide opportunities for terrorists to steal a lot of materials at one time. When these products are already loaded on a truck, they can be moved out of the area very quickly with very little traces of what happened to them. As this happens, most casual observers, even nearby neighbors, may think that this is just routine activities, because at this time of the year, farmers have to work unusual hours to complete their tillage and planting on time.

Even if only a small amount of these products are missing from trucks or storage areas, farmers should report the loss. Many times they may feel that it is not worth reporting, because the perception is that there is little that law enforcement officers can do about it. In addition, the inconvenience of dealing with the officers may slow down the farm activities. If those involved in terrorist activities are able to go through the countryside and steal a little here and a little there without being reported, they very likely would be able to gather a lethal amount of products that could be used to do serious damage somewhere in the United States.

Please remember that you are the eyes and ears of your community and your county. It is just like Community Watch on a much larger scale and with much greater consequences. Whether you are a farmer or just someone living or traveling through farming communities, please develop the habit of being especially observant of what is going on around you. If you see or hear of anything that is the least suspicious, please call the police department in the nearest city or the sheriff's department. Your actions may save the lives of your fellow citizens and will help make our homeland more secure.

E-mail address: Everett_Davis@ncsu.edu

Mailing Address:
P. O. Box 2280
Lumberton, NC 28359-2280

Phone: 910-671-3276
Fax: 910-671-6278

Date Created 5/7/03