It shows a lone backpack and ask people to alert the driver or call 911. But I have not seen any billboards...yet.

who lived in the communist eastern bloc have commented, since 2000, that this is what we face. Lately the say that the US is the same as it was in those countries prior to the break up of the Soviet Union. Scary indeed.

I think it's not just the realization of 1984 but also Animal Farm. I can see the current state of affairs in the US embracing both story lines.

When some teenagers are climbing the fence into a neighbor's yard, should I turn on my outdoor lights or mind my own business? Nothing wrong with the "see something, say something" campaign. It is a completely different issue from the militarization of the police or NSA issues.

Yes, we are being watched too much by big brother, but too many regular citizens ignore crimes being committed, and refuse to speak up.

“... if you find a person that you've never seen before getting in a crop duster that doesn't belong to you -- report it.”

~ George W. Bush

(still among the dumbest people to have ever trod this planet)

Know what I mean everybody?

I was in time square a few years ago when a shopkeeper alerted the police to a SUV that was parked strange with a suspicious driver it turned out to be a bomber idea of "See something? Say something" saved a lot of lives that night. If more people took interest in their community we would not have so many republicans elected to offices but too many people think that someone else will take care of things.

Is it about big brother, or is it about community?

Is "saying something" about reporting to some official body, or about stepping in?

For example, if you see sexual harassment, should you ignore it, or say something?

Bullying? Racism? Domestic abuse? Should we look away, thus offering passive support, or should we say something?

I think more information about the source, and the agenda, is needed.

I saw one of those signs on a bulletin board at a Senior Center, and guess
who the ones were who took full advantage of it? The "busy-bodies" and
nosey gossipers, that's who. constantly stirring up shit by prying into others
business. BYW - I live in Pdx too.

Plus, since the police nowadays generally show up with fists flying and guns
blazing, it's a very deadly combination.

You see, there's a presidential election in a couple of years, and it's never too early to crank up the fear. They reliably did that during the Bush junta whenever his approval ratings were dropping (as admitted by Tom Ridge.) So expect a lot more of this both to foster support for further GOP mischief in their new position of power in the country and to promote the GOP candidate in the never-ending presidential campaign. Plus, they have an $60 billion budget to justify and protect!

http://reason.com/blog/2012/03/19/ten-years-of-if-you-see-something-say-so

-snip-
Shortly after September 11, 2001, the advertising firm Korey Kay & Partners pitched the Departments of State, Justice, and the newly created Homeland Security on an ad campaign to make travelers more aware of potential terrorists threats, “but none expressed interest in using the work,” Adweek reported in January 2002. “It will therefore remain a creative exercise.”

The feds would eventually change their minds about Kay’s “creative exercise.” Today, the slogan “If you see something, say something” graces mass transit hubs across the country as well as DHS-funded coffee cup sleeves. The slogan has outlived color-coded terror alerts, the Iraq War, the Yellowcake myth, Sadam Hussein, Osama bin Laden, and cigarette lighter bans. In honor of “If you see something, say something,” Reason presents you with a brief timeline of its conception and current use:

January 2002: Korey Kay & Partners unveils “If you see something, say something”
-snip-