The Substation Surveyors

The guard should not open the gate. His post orders say observe and report, and the men's story is unverified. He should stay behind the fence or in a safe position, note the van's plate, make, model, and damage, the men's descriptions and clothing, and the exact time. He should call 911 or the utility control center or dispatch, state that two unauthorized people are photographing critical equipment and testing a locked gate, and request law enforcement. He should not approach, argue, or try to physically stop them; an unarmed lone guard is not a match for two unknown people, and confrontation could escalate. If they breach the fence, he should retreat to a safe location and be a good witness, not pursue. He should keep the radio channel clear for updates and ask the control center to check whether any contractor is scheduled. He should also start the camera recording or note the camera coverage. After the incident, he should complete a report with times, observations, and disposition. The gate stays locked until a verified utility employee authorizes entry.

Indicators include photographing transformers and switchgear, testing a locked gate, parking off-site, lacking credentials, giving a cover story that does not match the vehicle or clothing, and asking to be let in. These are behaviors, not demographics; the guard must not treat the men as suspicious because of race, ethnicity, religion, or national origin. The report should state: 'At 0203, I observed a white Ford van, plate ____, parked on the shoulder. One male exited and used a phone to photograph the transformer yard for approximately 2 minutes. A second male walked to the vehicle gate and pulled the lock three times. Both stated they were surveyors but had no company identification and no scheduled visit.' The guard should report to the utility control center, local law enforcement, and the state fusion center or homeland-security contact per post orders. He should preserve video and not post about it on social media. The key is timely, specific reporting so analysts can connect it to other incidents.

The guard should not accept cash or open the gate based on a business card or a promise. Access control requires verification through the utility's control center: call the number on file, confirm the company, the names, the work order, and the expected time. A business card is not credentials. If the men offer money, the guard should refuse, document the offer verbatim, and report it to his supervisor and law enforcement; bribery or attempted bribery is a red flag. He should not take the money 'to hold' or negotiate. If the control center cannot verify them, they remain unauthorized. If they become aggressive, the guard should retreat, call 911, and not physically engage. The report should include the offer, the amount, and who said what. Ethics rules and post orders prohibit accepting gratuities that could compromise judgment; critical-infrastructure access is exactly the situation where a small gift can become a security breach. The guard's integrity is part of the protection system.