Introduction
The belief that one is a Targeted Individual (TI) or experiencing gangstalking—organized harassment or surveillance by groups—can profoundly impact a person’s behavior and mental state. TIs often feel watched, uneasy, and under suspicion, sometimes attributing these feelings to government conspiracies or even electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure. But could these beliefs and resulting behaviors lead to being flagged by systems like Intrado’s Beware program or the Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB), or result in a 5150 mental health hold in California? And are these outcomes consequences of changed behavior rather than evidence of direct targeting? This post explores these questions, drawing on research into TI claims, security systems, mental health protocols, and the controversial link between EMF exposure and paranormal experiences, with a focus on the concept of a “fear cage” from ghost hunting.
What is a Fear Cage?
In paranormal investigation, a fear cage is an enclosed space with high electromagnetic field (EMF) levels, which some believe can cause feelings of paranoia, fear, and anxiety in sensitive individuals. The term is popularized by shows like Ghost Hunters, where investigators use EMF meters to detect anomalies in haunted locations. According to a 2009 blog post by J.R. Reardon, a fear cage is created by man-made sources like wires, radios, or lights, and the only way to alleviate these feelings is to leave the area J.R. Reardon’s Blog – The Fear Cage. The Ghost Hunters episode “The Fear Cage” (Season 4, Episode 4) investigated the Cashtown Inn in Pennsylvania, where high EMF readings were linked to reported paranormal activity Ghost Hunters Wiki – The Fear Cage. Paranormal researchers suggest these sensations might be mistaken for ghostly presence, but could they also explain TI feelings of being watched?
Targeted Individuals and Their Beliefs
TIs believe they are victims of covert targeting programs, often involving surveillance, gangstalking, or directed energy weapons. Organizations like Targeted Justice, led by figures like Richard Lighthouse (also known as Winter Owen Calvert), claim these programs misuse watchlists like the TSDB to harass activists or dissidents Targeted Individuals Petition. TIs report constant surveillance, physical symptoms, and social sabotage, often linking these to being on watchlists. A post on X by
@DecaTIreal on May 18, 2025, notes that TIs are more likely to end up in mental health wards than counter-terrorism offices, suggesting a disconnect between their perceptions and official responses X post by DecaTIreal.
These beliefs can lead to behavioral changes, such as posting inflammatory content online, confronting perceived stalkers, or displaying paranoia in public. The question is whether these actions could trigger flagging by security systems or mental health interventions, and whether such outcomes reflect consequences of behavior rather than deliberate targeting.
Intrado’s Beware Program: Flagging Through Online Activity
Intrado’s Beware is a predictive policing tool that generates real-time threat scores (green, yellow, red) during 911 calls, analyzing data like social media posts, arrest records, and commercial databases Eight Problems With Police “Threat Scores” | ACLU. If a TI posts about being targeted, especially with content that could be seen as threatening—such as accusations against officials or doxxing—they might raise their threat score. For example, a TI posting on X about government conspiracies or perceived stalkers could be flagged by Beware’s algorithms, alerting responders to a potential risk during an emergency call Beware: Surveillance software police are using to score citizens’ threat level | CSO Online.
This flagging is a consequence of online behavior, not evidence of a targeting program. Beware reacts to data patterns, not intent, and its secretive criteria make it plausible that TI posts could inadvertently trigger scrutiny. However, there’s no evidence Beware is used to systematically target TIs, and its focus is on immediate threat assessment, not long-term surveillance.
Terrorist Screening Database (TSDB): A Higher Threshold
The TSDB, managed by the FBI’s Terrorist Screening Center, flags individuals with known or suspected ties to terrorism, requiring “reasonable suspicion” based on articulable facts, such as threats or extremist affiliations Threat Screening Center | Federal Bureau of Investigation. By 2023, it included about 2 million names, with thousands of Americans U.S. Terrorist Watchlist Grows to 2 Million People. Simply believing one is a TI or posting about gangstalking is unlikely to meet this threshold unless the behavior crosses into terrorism-related territory, such as threats against government officials or support for extremist ideologies Truthout Article on Post-9/11 Terrorism Watchlist.
For instance, if a TI like Richard Lighthouse posts content perceived as threatening, as alleged by John “Jack” Christiana Targeted America, it could lead to a TSDB nomination. However, this is rare and requires specific intelligence, not just TI beliefs. TSDB inclusion would be a consequence of actions interpreted as terrorism-related, not a deliberate targeting program. The 2013 Watchlisting Guidance emphasizes terrorism-specific evidence, making it less likely for general TI behavior to trigger inclusion The Intercept, 2014.
5150 Hold: Mental Health Consequences
A 5150 hold in California allows for a 72-hour involuntary psychiatric detention if someone is deemed a danger to themselves, others, or gravely disabled due to mental illness California Code, WIC 5150. If TI beliefs lead to dangerous behavior—such as self-harm, threats, or severe paranoia—this could prompt law enforcement or mental health professionals to initiate a hold. For example, a TI feeling watched and confronting perceived stalkers aggressively might be seen as a risk, leading to a 5150 evaluation Understanding California’s 5150 Hold: Criteria and Legal Process – LegalClarity.
This outcome is a consequence of behavior, not evidence of targeting. The X post by
@DecaTIreal highlights that TIs often face mental health interventions, suggesting authorities view their actions through a mental health lens rather than a security one X post by DecaTIreal. This aligns with critiques that TI claims are sometimes dismissed as delusional, leading to psychiatric responses rather than investigations of targeting.
EMF Exposure and Feelings of Being Watched: A Paranormal Connection?
TIs often report feeling watched and uneasy, which some, including the user, link to EMF exposure, a concept noted in paranormal research. In ghost hunting, high EMF levels in a “fear cage” are believed to cause paranoia and anxiety, as discussed in a 2009 blog post and the Ghost Hunters episode “The Fear Cage” J.R. Reardon’s Blog – The Fear Cage; Ghost Hunters Wiki – The Fear Cage. Paranormal investigators suggest EMF from sources like wires or electronics can mimic ghostly sensations, and some TIs extend this to explain their feelings of surveillance EMF and Paranormal Activity: An Overview — East Coast Research and Investigation of the Paranormal.
However, scientific evidence, including from the World Health Organization, finds no confirmed health impacts from low-level EMF exposure, attributing symptoms like unease to psychological or environmental factors Exposure to electromagnetic fields – what happens – The National Paranormal Society. A critical review notes that paranormal claims about EMF lack empirical support, suggesting feelings of being watched are more likely psychological, especially for TIs immersed in hypervigilance and stress Are EMF meters BS? (researching EMFs and the paranormal). The user’s reference to hypervigilance and sleep deprivation as contributing factors aligns with this, as these can amplify paranoia without EMF involvement X post by DecaTIreal.
Consequence vs. Direct Targeting
The evidence suggests that flagging by Beware, TSDB inclusion, or 5150 holds are more likely consequences of changed behavior driven by TI beliefs than evidence of a deliberate targeting program. Beware flags based on data like social media posts, TSDB requires terrorism-specific evidence, and 5150 holds address perceived mental health risks, all reacting to actions rather than a coordinated effort. TI claims of a targeting program, as promoted by Targeted Justice, lack verifiable evidence and are often dismissed as conspiratorial, though the TSDB’s broad criteria fuel debate about misuse Truthout Article on Post-9/11 Terrorism Watchlist.
Controversy and Complexity
The controversy lies in the TSDB’s broad inclusion criteria, criticized for capturing non-criminal behavior, and the dismissal of TI claims as delusional, leading to mental health interventions. TIs argue their experiences are real, while authorities often view them through a mental health or security lens, creating a divide. The EMF debate adds complexity, with paranormal research suggesting a link to unease, but science pointing to psychological causes, leaving TIs caught between belief and skepticism.
Conclusion
Believing you’re a Targeted Individual or gangstalked can change your behavior in ways that might get you flagged by systems like Intrado’s Beware, especially through online posts perceived as threatening. Inclusion on the TSDB is less likely unless your actions suggest terrorism ties, and a 5150 hold could occur if your behavior is seen as dangerous, both as consequences of your actions, not direct targeting. Feelings of being watched are more likely psychological, driven by hypervigilance or stress, than caused by EMF exposure, despite paranormal claims like the fear cage. These outcomes highlight the complex interplay between belief, behavior, and systemic responses, underscoring the need for empathy and clarity in addressing TI experiences.
Call to Action
Have you or someone you know experienced feelings of being targeted or flagged by systems? Share your thoughts in the comments, and let’s discuss how to navigate these challenging experiences with compassion and critical thinking.
Key Citations
- J.R. Reardon’s Blog – The Fear Cage
- Ghost Hunters Wiki – The Fear Cage
- Eight Problems With Police “Threat Scores” | ACLU
- Beware: Surveillance software police are using to score citizens’ threat level | CSO Online
- Threat Screening Center | Federal Bureau of Investigation
- U.S. Terrorist Watchlist Grows to 2 Million People
- Truthout Article on Post-9/11 Terrorism Watchlist
- California Code, WIC 5150
- Understanding California’s 5150 Hold: Criteria and Legal Process – LegalClarity
- EMF and Paranormal Activity: An Overview — East Coast Research and Investigation of the Paranormal
- Exposure to electromagnetic fields – what happens – The National Paranormal Society
- Are EMF meters BS? (researching EMFs and the paranormal)
- X post by DecaTIreal
- Targeted Individuals Petition
- Targeted America
- The Intercept, 2014

