Didn’t the Soviet Union, East Germany, et al have a ‘report your suspicious neighbor’ deal going? It starts as helpfully watching out for bad things like someone breaking into a car, planting a bomb, etc. Followed by that guy hasn’t done anything but looks suspicious, so he must be thinking of doing something bad. He needs arresting. It then becomes a crime not to report it.

Shoppers at Walmart will soon have something other than glossy magazines and chewing gum to look at when in the checkout line: A “video message” from the Department of Homeland Security asking shoppers to look out for “suspicious” activity and report it immediately.

It’s part of a new Department of Homeland Security program that could see Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano’s face on video screens in malls, retail outlets and hotels across the United States. The Walmart video, which will soon be launched at 230 locations nationwide and may eventually be expanded to nearly 600 locations in 27 states, features Napolitano thanking the retailer by name for participating in the program.
[...]
The video, which doesn’t appear to offer any advice on what constitutes “suspicious” activity, is part of DHS’ “If You See Something, Say Something” program. It was launched originally in the New York City public transit system and, according to the DHS, is about to go nationwide.

Guess it’s time to get your fear on!