Skip to content
FedWatch

Verification Protocol

Verification Protocol

Section titled “Verification Protocol”

Verification is the critical step between receiving a report and broadcasting an alert. Accurate verification prevents panic and maintains network credibility.

The Verification Flow

Section titled “The Verification Flow”
Report Received → Admin Reviews → Verifier Dispatched → Confirmation → Broadcast

Step 1: Initial Report Review

Section titled “Step 1: Initial Report Review”

When a report comes in, the admin should immediately assess:

Check the Source

Section titled “Check the Source”
  • Is this person known to the network?
  • Have they reported accurately before?
  • Are they in the claimed location?

Assess the Report

Section titled “Assess the Report”
  • Does it include specific details?
  • Is the timing recent (within minutes)?
  • Does it match known ICE patterns?

Red Flags

Section titled “Red Flags”
  • Vague locations (“somewhere downtown”)
  • Old timing (“I saw this an hour ago”)
  • Secondhand information (“my friend said…”)
  • Contradictory details

Step 2: Deploy Verifier

Section titled “Step 2: Deploy Verifier”

Select Appropriate Verifier

Section titled “Select Appropriate Verifier”
  • Closest to the location
  • Available immediately
  • Has transportation if needed
  • Experienced with the area

Provide Clear Instructions

Section titled “Provide Clear Instructions”
"ICE reported at [LOCATION]. Can you verify?"
- Approach from [DIRECTION]
- Look for [VEHICLE DESCRIPTION]
- Report back within [TIME]
- Stay safe - observe only

What Verifiers Should Confirm

Section titled “What Verifiers Should Confirm”
  1. Presence - Are vehicles/agents actually there?
  2. Type - ICE, local police, other agency?
  3. Activity - Active enforcement, surveillance, traffic stop?
  4. Numbers - How many vehicles, agents?
  5. Movement - Stationary, mobile, leaving?

Step 3: Verification Communication

Section titled “Step 3: Verification Communication”

Verifier Reports Back

Section titled “Verifier Reports Back”

If Confirmed:

"Confirmed. 2 unmarked SUVs at Main & First.
4 agents in tactical vests.
Surrounding a residence.
Active enforcement."

If Not Confirmed:

"Nothing at reported location.
Drove full perimeter.
Area is clear."

If Uncertain:

"See one unmarked vehicle at location.
Can't confirm if ICE.
No agents visible.
Will continue observing."

Step 4: Decision to Broadcast

Section titled “Step 4: Decision to Broadcast”

Broadcast Immediately If:

Section titled “Broadcast Immediately If:”
  • Verifier confirms ICE presence
  • Active enforcement is occurring
  • Imminent threat to community

Delay Broadcast If:

Section titled “Delay Broadcast If:”
  • Verification is uncertain
  • May be misidentification
  • Need additional confirmation

Don’t Broadcast If:

Section titled “Don’t Broadcast If:”
  • Verifier finds nothing
  • Report appears false
  • Situation has resolved

Verification Best Practices

Section titled “Verification Best Practices”

Speed vs Accuracy Balance

Section titled “Speed vs Accuracy Balance”
  • Verification should happen within 5-10 minutes max
  • Don’t sacrifice accuracy for speed
  • If unsure, send a second verifier

Communication Standards

Section titled “Communication Standards”
  • Use Signal for all verification communication
  • Keep messages concise and factual
  • Timestamp all reports

Document Everything

Section titled “Document Everything”
  • Time report received
  • Time verifier dispatched
  • Time confirmation received
  • Details of what was found

When Verification Isn’t Possible

Section titled “When Verification Isn’t Possible”

Sometimes you can’t verify in time:

Backup Options

Section titled “Backup Options”
  1. Multiple corroborating reports - 2+ independent reports of the same thing
  2. Known patterns - Report matches established ICE activity patterns
  3. Trusted source - Very reliable reporter with direct observation

If You Must Broadcast Unverified

Section titled “If You Must Broadcast Unverified”
"UNVERIFIED REPORT: Possible ICE activity at [LOCATION].
Cannot confirm. Use caution in the area.
Will update when verified."

Always follow up with verification status.

After Verification

Section titled “After Verification”

If Confirmed

Section titled “If Confirmed”
  1. Broadcast alert immediately
  2. Continue monitoring
  3. Deploy additional observers if needed
  4. Update as situation develops

If False Report

Section titled “If False Report”
  1. Don’t broadcast
  2. Document the false report
  3. Follow up with reporter (education, not punishment)
  4. Watch for patterns of false reports

Verification Scenarios

Section titled “Verification Scenarios”

Scenario 1: Reliable Reporter

Section titled “Scenario 1: Reliable Reporter”

“Longtime patrol member reports ICE at corner store they pass daily.”

  • High reliability source
  • Still send verifier
  • Can broadcast faster if verifier delayed

Scenario 2: Unknown Reporter

Section titled “Scenario 2: Unknown Reporter”

“Someone new to the network reports suspicious vehicles.”

  • Lower reliability
  • Definitely verify before broadcasting
  • Ask clarifying questions while verifier en route

Scenario 3: Secondhand Report

Section titled “Scenario 3: Secondhand Report”

“Someone says their neighbor saw ICE.”

  • Very low reliability
  • Verify if possible
  • Generally don’t broadcast unless confirmed

Scenario 4: Multiple Reports

Section titled “Scenario 4: Multiple Reports”

“Three different people report activity at same location.”

  • Multiple independent reports increase confidence
  • Still verify if possible
  • May broadcast faster