Camped nearby and surveilling, in police jargon

ONSTAKEOUT

["**Hint:** Think of a phrase used by detectives when they're watching a location—it starts with being \"present\" and ends with their covert activity.\n\n*(This hint guides the solver toward the structure of the answer—\"ON\" (present) + \"STAKEOUT\" (covert activity)—without outright stating it.)*"]

Certainly! Here's a clear and concise explanation of how the clue leads to the answer: **Clue:** "Camped nearby and surveilling, in police jargon" **Answer:** "ONSTAKEOUT" **Explanation:** The answer is a combination of two parts: 1. **"Camped nearby"** suggests the word **"ON"** (meaning present or nearby) followed by **"STAKE"** (as in "stake out," meaning to camp or claim a spot). 2. **"Surveilling, in police jargon"** refers to a **"STAKEOUT,"** a term used in law enforcement for covertly watching a location. Putting it together: **"ON" + "STAKEOUT"** forms **"ONSTAKEOUT,"** which fits the clue's description of being both "camped nearby" and engaged in surveillance. The wordplay cleverly merges a literal interpretation ("camped nearby") with a figurative one ("surveilling"), making the answer a smooth blend of both meanings.