Case Study
Case Study: Morning Alert
Section titled “Case Study: Morning Alert”This case study walks through a realistic rapid response scenario to illustrate how protocols work in practice.
Scenario Setup
Section titled “Scenario Setup”Time: 7:15 AM, Tuesday Location: Mixed residential/commercial neighborhood Network status: 2 admins on duty, 4 patrol members active, 2 verifiers available
Phase 1: Initial Report
Section titled “Phase 1: Initial Report”7:15 AM - Report Received
Section titled “7:15 AM - Report Received”A patrol member sends a message to the patrol chat:
“Seeing something weird at corner of Oak & 3rd. White van, unmarked. 2 guys in dark clothes standing outside. They’ve been there about 5 minutes.”
Admin Response
Section titled “Admin Response”Admin immediately asks follow-up questions:
“Can you describe the van more - any markings, windows, plates? What are the people wearing specifically? Are they watching a particular building?“
7:17 AM - Patrol Response
Section titled “7:17 AM - Patrol Response”“Van is white, no rear windows, no markings visible. License plate [ABC-1234]. Two men, look like dark blue pants, black jackets. Hard to see if there’s text. They’re looking at the apartment building at 301 Oak.”
Admin Assessment
Section titled “Admin Assessment”The admin assesses:
- Description matches unmarked ICE vehicles
- Behavior (surveillance of residential building) is concerning
- Need verification before broadcast
Phase 2: Verification
Section titled “Phase 2: Verification”7:18 AM - Verifier Deployed
Section titled “7:18 AM - Verifier Deployed”Admin messages the verifiers:
“Need verification at Oak & 3rd. Possible ICE. Approach from the east on 3rd St. Look for white van, 2 individuals in dark clothing. Report back ASAP.”
Verifier responds:
“On my way. ETA 4 minutes.”
7:19 AM - Additional Patrol Activity
Section titled “7:19 AM - Additional Patrol Activity”Another patrol member reports:
“I’m on 4th St, one block over. Just saw a black SUV with tinted windows turn onto Oak heading south.”
Admin notes this - possible additional vehicle.
7:23 AM - Verification
Section titled “7:23 AM - Verification”Verifier arrives and reports:
“Confirmed. White van with 2 individuals. I can now see ‘POLICE’ on the back of one jacket - looks like ICE ERO style. They’re focused on the apartment building entrance. Also see the black SUV parked at the other end of the block.”
SALUTE Report
Section titled “SALUTE Report”Verifier provides formal SALUTE:
SIZE: 2 vehicles, 4 individuals visible ACTIVITY: Stationary surveillance of 301 Oak St LOCATION: Oak St between 3rd and 4th UNIFORM: Dark jackets marked ‘POLICE’, tactical pants TIME: Observed since approximately 7:10 AM EQUIPMENT: Standard vehicle equipment visible
Phase 3: Broadcast
Section titled “Phase 3: Broadcast”7:24 AM - Alert Issued
Section titled “7:24 AM - Alert Issued”Admin broadcasts to the community alert channel:
🚨 ICE ALERT - CONFIRMED
Location: Oak St between 3rd and 4th Streets Time: 7:24 AM
ICE agents are conducting surveillance near 301 Oak St. 2 vehicles (white van, black SUV), at least 4 agents observed.
⚠️ Avoid the area if possible ⚠️ Do not approach agents ⚠️ Know your rights - do not open your door without a judicial warrant
We will continue monitoring and provide updates.
Multi-language broadcast
Section titled “Multi-language broadcast”Admin also sends Spanish translation:
🚨 ALERTA DE ICE - CONFIRMADO
Ubicación: Oak St entre 3rd y 4th Streets Hora: 7:24 AM
Agentes de ICE están vigilando cerca de 301 Oak St. 2 vehículos, al menos 4 agentes.
⚠️ Evite el área si es posible ⚠️ No se acerque a los agentes ⚠️ Conozca sus derechos - no abra la puerta sin una orden judicial
Phase 4: Escalation
Section titled “Phase 4: Escalation”7:32 AM - Activity Increases
Section titled “7:32 AM - Activity Increases”Verifier reports:
“Movement. Agents walking toward building entrance. One stayed with the van.”
Admin responds:
“Keep recording. What entrance are they approaching?“
7:34 AM - Enforcement Action
Section titled “7:34 AM - Enforcement Action”Verifier:
“They’re at the main entrance. Looks like they’re buzzing apartments. Someone came to the door.”
Admin Action
Section titled “Admin Action”Admin sends additional verifier:
“Second verifier - can you get to Oak & 3rd? Need backup documentation.”
Admin alerts legal support network:
“Active enforcement at 301 Oak St. May need legal support.”
7:38 AM - Detention Observed
Section titled “7:38 AM - Detention Observed”Verifier:
“They’re bringing someone out. One individual, male, hands behind back. Walking to the van.”
Admin:
“Document everything. Note the time, description of individual if possible. Do not interfere.”
7:40 AM - Update Broadcast
Section titled “7:40 AM - Update Broadcast”UPDATE - 7:40 AM
ICE has detained one individual at 301 Oak St. The person is being placed in the white van.
If you know someone at this address who may be affected, contact [LEGAL HOTLINE].
Continue to avoid the area. We are documenting.
Phase 5: Resolution
Section titled “Phase 5: Resolution”7:45 AM - Departure
Section titled “7:45 AM - Departure”Verifier:
“Van is leaving. Heading east on Oak. Black SUV following.”
Admin:
“Can you see the direction? Note the time of departure.”
7:47 AM - Second Verifier
Section titled “7:47 AM - Second Verifier”Second verifier reports:
“I can see them. White van turned north on Main St. Lost visual after that.”
7:50 AM - All Clear
Section titled “7:50 AM - All Clear”Admin assesses the scene is clear and broadcasts:
UPDATE - 7:50 AM - ALL CLEAR
ICE vehicles have left the area of Oak St.
One individual was detained. If you have information about who may have been affected, please contact [LEGAL HOTLINE] to connect families with legal support.
Thank you to all observers. Stay alert.
Phase 6: After Action
Section titled “Phase 6: After Action”Immediate Debrief
Section titled “Immediate Debrief”Admin messages the response team:
“Good work everyone. Let’s debrief.
- Verifier 1: Please send all video/photos to secure channel
- Patrol members: Any additional observations to note?
- I’ll compile the incident report”
Documentation Compiled
Section titled “Documentation Compiled”The team compiles:
- Timeline of events
- All video and photos
- SALUTE reports
- Vehicle descriptions and plates
- Number of agents observed
- Description of detained individual (if possible)
Family Support
Section titled “Family Support”The network connects with local legal organizations to:
- Help identify who was detained
- Connect family with immigration lawyers
- Provide information about locating the individual
Lessons Learned
Section titled “Lessons Learned”The team identifies what worked and what to improve:
What worked:
- Quick initial report from patrol
- Fast verification (8 minutes from report to confirmed broadcast)
- Multi-language alerts
- Good documentation during enforcement
What to improve:
- Could have had second verifier closer
- Need to establish better contact with building residents
- Consider earlier legal team notification
Key Takeaways
Section titled “Key Takeaways”- The system worked - Initial report led to verification led to timely broadcast
- Roles were clear - Everyone knew their job
- Communication was fast - Updates came quickly
- Documentation happened - Evidence was preserved
- Safety was maintained - No responders were put at risk
- Support continued - Family connection happened after
This is what effective rapid response looks like.