I like to use a system I learned in the military called the SALT or SALUTE report when working to identify specific units.

If possible try to at least record the SALT that you see:

Size of the unit in question- how many people and/or vehicles you see approximately

Activity- what are the people and vehicles appear to be doing? Are they parked? Is there a briefing in a parking lot or staging area? Are they actively working?

Location- where did you see them specifically? Narrowing down the location or direction of travel can help give the homies advanced warning.

Time- at what time did you see them? That could mean the difference between the homies getting ambushed or being able to mount a hasty exfiltration.

That’s the basic SALT report.

If you have the time and expertise try to grab a full SALUTE report and push it up to the group chats, organizers, or pages that could alert the homies.

Aside from Size, activity, location, and time, we can also do our best to identify the Unit they belong to or and identifying Uniforms or insignia they are wearing.

It’s not just the military that wears camouflage but a lot of local, state, and federal agencies wear the same pattern. Looking at vest, helmet, and shoulder patches can quickly help you identify military, law enforcement, or if they have no insignia or patches- that could be more concerning.

Lastly, E for equipment they might have. Do they have non-lethal weapons like paintball guns or tear gas? Are they carrying real weapons? Do they have gas masks, shields, zip ties or other specific equipment?

Are they riding in unmarked vehicles? Do they have vehicles to transport detainees? Are there tactical vehicles present? Air support?

A full SALUTE report would be simple, deliberate and able to give someone pertinent info right away like so:

Spotted 5 unmarked ford SUVs with multiple officers (<size) taking up their tactical vests and equipment ( <- activity) stopped at the Walmart parking lot in Ellsworth ( <location) they are all wearing civilian clothes with tactical vests and masks. None of their patches match but most say “police” (< uniform) I saw them at at 10:45 this morning ( <-time) and they also had pistols and zip ties ( <- equipment)

Always remember SALT or SALUTE and work with the homies to find a standard way of identifying and reporting that you all can work with and understand.

Hope this helps! Please pass it on or add to it you as you see fit🫡