If you were afraid that someone you knew might be plotting to cause harm to others in an attack similar to the one in Newtown, Conn., last week, what should you do?

“Call us,” says Andalusia Police Chief Wilbur Williams.

“We maintain as high a level of anonymity as possible,” he said. “We can check and see if there is any potential problem, possibly through surveillance, background checks, etc.”

He also encourages those who work in sporting goods stores or departments in which ammunition is sold to alert police if they see large amounts of ammunition being purchased.

“We would rather be proactive and stop something before someone acted,” he said.

The APD may be reached at 222.1155.