It does not matter that al-Qaeda is not a threat to the US homeland — you need to prepare for a terrorist attack regardless, according to PrepareMetro KC, a website put together by the Greater Kansas City region’s Metropolitan Emergency Managers Committee, which is funded by the Department of Homeland Security.
“Terrorist operations begin with extensive planning,” warns the federally funded website. “You can help prevent and detect terrorism — and other types of crime — by watching out for suspicious activities and reporting them to the proper authorities. Many of these activities, in and of themselves, may not indicate criminal activity. Taken together, however, they may be a cause for concern. If you observe people acting suspiciously, don’t hesitate to contact local law enforcement.”
Note our emphasis. It’s not so much about scary guys in turbans half way around the world in caves or hiding out in remote villages mired in the 16th Century. It’s about criminals engaged in “suspicious” behavior. According to the Ministry of Homeland Security and PrepareMetro KC, crime is a form of terrorism.