* David Lawson is a licensed private investigator in Florida. He followed these stalking groups, on and off, for 12 years. He also rode with them. In a recent email, regarding Canadian groups, David Lawson said the following:
"When I rode with the group in Niagara Falls/Buffalo, we would seamlessly hook up with Canadians when we crossed the border, and they would ride with us stateside, occasionally."
This gives an indication of just how extensive and well-organized these stalking groups are.
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Frequently Asked Questions:
1. Who is behind the stalking groups?
2. Who is considered a threat to a corporation or industry?
3. What are these groups?
4.
How are the groups financed?
5. Who are the leaders?
6. What do the group leaders get out of it?
7. Who are the members?
8. What do the group members get out of it?
9. What is the psychology behind all this?
10. Who do groups target?
11. What purpose does the target serve to the group?
12. How are targets identified?
13. What are the group’s objectives?
14. How do they achieve their objectives?
15. How long does it last?
16. How do the groups sensitize the target?
17. What other tactics are used?
18. More on preoccupying a target’s time
19. Audio Surveillance
20.
Some Important Points
21. What about the Police?
22. The Use of “Coercive Persuasion” to control cult members
23. Internet Newsgroups/Forums
24. U.S. Department of Justice defines “Vengeance/Terrorism Stalking”
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1. Who is behind the stalking groups?
Corporations:
Groups are used by corporations use to stalk their enemies or potential enemies. (19)
Organized crime:
Many groups have links to convicted criminals, and associations with organized crime. (24)
2. Who is considered a threat to a corporation or industry?
Whistleblowers (19)
Activists (19)
3. What are these groups?(47)
They are private armies.
They are primarily criminal groups.
They have their own targets which are connected to their political agenda.
They are also available for hire, to corporations and other entities, to destroy or neutralize people.
They have the power to destroy lives.
4. How are the groups financed?
Groups are well financed by: (7)
Corporations (19),
Other criminal groups (35),
Committing crimes such as: robbery, theft and drug trafficking (24)
Some targets are a source of corporate revenue (24)
Groups are operated as businesses (47). The sole financial beneficiaries are the leaders (35)
5. Who are the leaders?
Leaders pretend that they are larger than life characters, with heroic backgrounds. They are looked upon with reverence by their followers. Typically, their backgrounds and alleged heroism cannot be independently verified, because it allegedly involves' national security'. Leaders pretend that their groups are committed to bringing about some change. In general, group leaders remain isolated from the activities of their followers. (16) Leaders do not meet privately with group members. (16)
6. What do the group leaders get out of it?
Financial power and/or Political power
7. Who are the members?
Right-wing extremist groups (eg. World Church of the Creator (WCOTC) and the Aryan Nations) (9). Left-wing extremist groups (9). Special interest extremists: (11), animal rights. pro-life, environmental. anti-nuclear. Because their individual membership is quite small, extremist groups tend to network locally. They’re made up of a combination of some people from many different groups in an area. (9) Groups cloak their true identities by posing as: (23) citizens groups, clubs, churches
8. What do the group members get out of it? (15)
They believe they are fulfilling the ‘higher purpose’ of the group, even though they may only have a general idea of the ideology of the group. They are having fun with their friends, and that fun involves stalking and harassing various targets and engaging in other civil disobedience. The people who are attracted to groups which engage in cause stalking are those who feel powerless, inferior and angry. They are empowered by the group.
9. What is the psychology behind all this?
This is a game:(36-37).Groups are rallied by the constant “victories” they win in the games they play with their targets. It does not matter to the group that the targets are not playing a game. It does not matter whether the target even knows what is going on around him. It is most important that other group members know what they are doing.
This is their entertainment(45)
This is an addiction: (15)
Many become addicted to it. It fulfills some of their human needs (see above).
This is an obsession:.
Groups are obsessed with every aspect of their target's lives. (37)
They spend considerable time describing to one another, what they did, and the target's reaction, although it may not be true. (43)
These groups are cults: (37)
Groups are introverted - their interaction with one another is more important than their interaction with a target. (36)
10. Who do groups target?(18-19)
Public officials (including local politicians and bureaucrats), IRS agents, Treasury agents, activists of all kinds, but especially civil rights activists.
Whistleblowers,
Abortion workers,
Identity or white supremacist groups target:
Gay people,
African Americans and Jewish people
Public officials, including Police officers, who have been accused of wrongdoing.
Those in the media, including radio, television and publishing, especially those who are Jewish and those with fame, but not enough money to isolate themselves from these groups.
Immigrants:
Groups typically target any judge presiding over the trial of one of their members.
Groups also attack targets of convenience. These people are selected because they are convenient targets, and not for any other reason. These include loners who tend to be more vulnerable to their harassment tactics than those with family and friends around them. Targets of convenience are used to for practice.
Sexual predators, whose names, addresses and photos are public information which is available on government websites.
In small towns, where extremist groups can actually have some power, they also target new people in town who don't know anyone. The attitude of the extremists is that they control their areas and unknown people can't be trusted. Animal rights activists stalk those who own fur ranches, furriers, research scientists working in the field of biomedical research using animals, executives of McDonalds, etc.
Eco-terrorists target politicians, loggers, etc. Groups normally also attack the family, friends, and associates of a target and even the businesses he patronizes.
11. What purpose does the target serve to the group? (24)
All targets are important in terms of:
rallying groups (i.e. “winning” the game), providing activities, recruiting new members, keeping existing members in line (by example), making a statement to the community. Some are a source of financial revenue.
12. How are targets identified? (16)
Broadcasts on right wing radio stations,
Internet,
Print articles,
Public meetings. The group members are not acting under the direct orders of anyone – i.e. leaders identify targets, but it is up to followers to decide what to do about them.
13. What are the group’s objectives?
To harass the target constantly. (32)
To provoke any reaction. (43)
To make sure the target knows he is being watched (also known as ”sensitizing” the target). (32)
To try and find ways of making the target interact with them (regardless of whether a target is taking the garbage out in the morning, driving to work or sitting in a local coffee shop).
Ideally, a target will not be able to go anywhere in public without having to deal with them in some way. (37)
To destroy a person’s life by attacking the weakest point, which could include a spouse, children or elderly relatives. (47)
14. How do they achieve their objectives?
Many tactics are tried and the result is observed. (32).
Those which evoke a response from the target are repeated. (32)
They discuss among themselves whether or not the target has been sensitized (i.e. made aware of the stalkers). (43)
15. How long does it last?(19)
Most individuals remain targets for several years.
Those involved in activism of any kind are life-long targets.
Moving will not usually help a target. If he is a target in one area, he will remain a target where ever he moves. (Starfishgirl would like to say that some targets report that stealth moves to Northern states will dramatically improve the situation
16. How do the groups sensitize the target?
Picture taking (32),
Filming (32),
Note taking (32).
Having uniquely marked vehicles follow the target wherever he drives, without the frequent trade-offs which are normally used. (43)
Having that same vehicle parked in front of his house at night. (43)
17. What other tactics are used?
Vehicle-related tactics:
Numerous different vehicles hanging around a certain area. (48)
Traveling in convoys with highbeams on. (31)
Drivers in convoys waving at one another. (48)
Attempting to intercept the target’s vehicle at intersections. (31)
Trying to force the target’s vehicle off the road. (48)
Vandalizing the target's vehicle, including: (32) Slashing tires,
Scratching paint,
Stealing license plates
Draining the oil or antifreeze over a period of time in the hopes of destroying the engine. Removing and then returning items, putting items in the vehicles, or taking items from the residence and putting in the vehicle or vice versa. They do not usually cut brake lines or commit other acts of sabotage which would leave evidence. (45)
Face-to-face tactics:
Following a target on foot wherever he goes. (32)
Standing around a target while he is paying for a purchase in a store. (35)
Swarming the target – i.e. totally surrounding a target so he cannot move. (33)
Physically intimidating a target by standing very close. (33)
Sitting near a target in a restaurant. (35)
Glaring at the target . (48)
When a target sits anywhere in public, group members will attempt to sit behind him in order to create noise, by whatever means, including tapping their feet on the target's chair. (32)
Walking by a target and doing strange things to attract his attention, such as: (37)
Blinking their eyes,
Reading the time from an imaginary watch on their wrist,
Making faces.
Noise Campaigns:
Generating noise around the clock. (42)
Interfering with sleep patterns (i.e. through excessive noise).(42) Trying to wake up the target at night as many times as they can.
People yelling and screaming outside the person’s residence. (33)
Numerous different vehicles, squealing their tires, honking their horns and hanging around a certain area. (48)
Apartment noise campaigns will include: (33)
Tapping on the walls in the middle of the night. Taps [faucets] running,
Hammering,
Noises coming from the upper and/or lower apartments, and possibly the apartments on both sides.
Ideally, noises are timed to activities of the target, such as: (42) When a target goes outside. (33), When a target flushes the toilet. (37), When a target turns on a water faucet. (37), When a target walks near a window. (42)
Other tactics:
Controlling the target’s time, including:(42)
Speeding across town in a convoy of vehicles so group members can stand in line ahead of a target for the sole purpose of trying to keep him waiting as long as possible. (37/42), Blocking a target from leaving a parking space. (42)Controlling a target’s speed on a highway by surrounding him with slow moving vehicles. (42/45) Causing problems which force the target to solve them, like gluing his car doors shut. (45) Creating a puzzle for the target to solve. The target is invited to waste his time following bogus clues and leads. (45)
Imposing a system of rewards and punishments on a target for: (42)
Communicating and associating with other people. Laughing at or assaulting group members.
Causing problems with telephone services (and other utilities). (48) Sometimes audio bugs are installed in the residence of a target. (30)
(Starfishgirl would like to say that placing hidden cameras inside a target's home and bathroom, along with computer hacking and wiretapping are also common tactics of these groups.)
18. More on preoccupying a target’s time:
Attempting to turn the tables around on a stalking group, by following one of their vehicles, for example, is precisely what they want. Chasing it is even better. If they can occupy a target's time that way, they will have a very successful day. They are on patrol. It is not possible to waste their time. As always, a target risks having criminal charges filed against him and there will be more than enough witnesses. (45)
Property must be secured, but a target cannot let a group control his time. He must also realize that he cannot control their time. (46)
19. Audio Surveillance: (30)
Stalker groups will sometimes install audio bugs in the residence of a target. Typically, they use inexpensive bugs which broadcast on a frequency which can be monitored by other group members using scanners. Expensive bugs are reserved for high level targets.
If they do install a bug, group members will be able to listen to the target inside his home. Typically they use low power bugs, which do not broadcast very far, so they don't attract too much attention.
They will also monitor frequencies used by baby monitors, wireless intercoms, etc. If they are able to, they will also monitor cell phone conversations. Conventional scanners can be used to listen to conversations conducted on older cordless phones and 800 and 900 MHz. cell phones. Digital scanners are available from Canada and Mexico which can be used to eavesdrop on the conversations of newer cell phones. Only one side of the conversation is heard on a frequency. New cell phones change their broadcast frequencies frequently, which leaves gaps in the conversation, for those who are listening.
20. Some Important Points:
The primary focus of all these harassment tactics are the group members, not the target. The group members are the ones who are being programmed. Group leaders define reality for their members, so it doesn't matter if tactics do not work on a target.
Group members are sensitized to all the tactics they employ. (42) Stalking various targets is only part of the activity of these groups. Members are trained to perform a variety of activities without question. They do not know the objectives of their leaders. (51) Those targeted for harassment will have no problem concluding that someone is after them, but most victims never know who it is. (43)
21. What about the Police?
Groups have no respect for the law or for those who enforce it. (45) They consider themselves to be superior to the Police, partially because of the crimes they get away with. (45) Groups take pride that they never quit. Actually, they do, but it takes a long intensive effort by the Police. (45) In small towns, the number of members in these groups can easily exceed the number of Police officers. (48) Groups claim that they have the support of some Police officers. If so, it is not many. (50) Most Police officers, except those in the South, are not familiar with the way groups operate. (50) In general, the Police will not talk about stalking groups. (48) One officer did say that there is a storm brewing as groups become larger and more numerous. (48) When approaching the police, it is necessary to speak with officers who handle extremist groups. (50)
(Starfishgirl would like to say that often times bad cops are involved in the stalking, we have personally witnessed this.)
22. The Use of “Coercive Persuasion” to control cult members
Coercion is defined as, "to restrain or constrain by force...". Legally it often implies the use of physical force, or physical or legal threat. This traditional concept of coercion is far better understood than the technological concepts of "coercive persuasion" which are effective restraining, impairing, or compelling through the gradual application of psychological forces. (37) Over time, coercive persuasion, a psychological force akin in some ways to our legal concepts of undue influence, can be even more effective than pain, torture, drugs, and use of physical force and legal threats. (38) With coercive persuasion you can change people's attitudes without their knowledge and volition. (38)
The advances in the extreme anxiety and emotional stress production technologies found in coercive persuasion supersede old style coercion that focuses on pain, torture, drugs, or threat in that these older systems do not change attitude so that subjects follow orders "willingly." Coercive persuasion changes both attitude and behavior, not just behavior. (38)
Coercive persuasion, or thought reform as it is also known, is best understood as a coordinated system of graduated coercive influence and behavior controls designed to deceptively and surreptitiously manipulate and influence individuals, usually in a group setting, in order for the originators of the program to profit in some way, normally financially or politically. (38)
Using rewards and punishments, efforts are made to establish considerable control over a person's social environment, time, and sources of social support. Social isolation is promoted. (38)
Non-physical punishments are used to create strong aversive emotional arousals, such as: (39)
intense humiliation, loss of privilege, social isolation, social status changes, intense guilt, anxiety, manipulation
23. Internet Newsgroups/Forums:
There are Internet newsgroups which cater to stalking victims. These groups are heavily populated with members of extremist groups. They pose as victims. Their posts relate to the latest hi-tech weapons, and information about how they are being used against them. A victim should not confide in the people in these groups because the information they provide will be used to enhance the attack against them.(50)
24. U.S. Department of Justice defines “Vengeance/Terrorism Stalking”
The following definition is taken from Chapter 22 in the 1999 National Victim Assistance Academy Text. The complete volume is available at the Department of Justice website (www.usdoj.gov):
http://www.ojp.gov/ovc/assist/nvaa99/chap21-2.htm
Chapter 21 Special Topics
Section 2, Stalking
Categories of Stalking:
Vengeance and Terrorism Stalking
The final stalking category is fundamentally different from the other three. Vengeance stalkers do not seek a personal relationship with their targets. Rather, vengeance/terrorist stalkers attempt to elicit a particular response or a change of behavior from their victims. When vengeance is their prime motive, stalkers seek only to punish their victims for some wrong they perceive the victim has visited upon them. In other words, they use stalking as a means to "get even" with their enemies.
The most common scenario in this category involves employees who stalk employers after being fired from their job. Invariably, the employee believes that their dismissal was unjustified and that their employer or supervisor was responsible for unjust treatment. One bizarre variation on this pattern is the case of a scout master who was dismissed for inappropriate conduct and subsequently decided to stalk his entire former scout troop - scouts and scout leaders alike.
A second type of vengeance or terrorist stalker, the political stalker, has motivations that parallel those of more traditional terrorists. That is, stalking is a weapon of terror used to accomplish a political agenda. Utilizing the threat of violence to force the stalking target to engage in or refrain from engaging in particular activity. For example, most prosecutions in this stalking category have been against anti-abortionists who stalk doctors in an attempt to discourage the performance of abortions.
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