Vehicle Surveillance

Vehicle Surveillance

The techniques used for foot surveillance are also used for vehicle surveillance. But applying these techniques to vehicle surveillance must be done with care. Traffic congestion and traffic laws make actions more difficult. They also increase the risk of discovery. Two or more vehicle surveillants, like two or more foot surveillants, raise the likelihood of success. When possible, have two people in each vehicle. Teams within vehicles increase coverage and allow flexibility.

For one-vehicle surveillance, you must remain close enough to the subject to see his actions. But you must be far enough away to escape detection. When the subject’s car stops, one team member follows on foot. The subject will not expect to be followed by a person on foot if he suspects a vehicle is being used. Meanwhile the driver can look for a parking place where he can watch the suspect’s vehicle. When the vehicle is parked, he can sit on the passenger side and appear to be waiting for the driver. This lessens the chance of attracting the subject’s attention. He may change to the back seat. Or he may sometimes move the car to another parking place in the same zone of the subject.

If a subject turns a corner, you have two choices. You may keep going straight, cross the intersecting street, and make a U-shaped turn. The subject will not be alarmed by a car turning into the street behind him from a direction opposite to the way he was going before he made his turn. Or you may go straight, cross the intersecting street, and then go around the block. The subject will not be wary of a car coming from the front.

For two-vehicle surveillance, the technique is similar to the AB foot surveillance. Two cars can tail the subject on the same street. Or one car can be on the same street and the other car travel abreast on a parallel street. The surveillant vehicles can also alternate the A position. This lessens the chance of raising the subject’s suspicions.

To do any of these manoeuvres, keep radio contact between the surveillant vehicles. The team in the car right behind the subject’s vehicle is always the control, giving instructions to the other cars.