Suspicious Activity

When you call to report suspicious persons of activity, you may not only aid the police, you make your community a safer place to live.

Some people fail to call the police simply because they are not aware of what might be suspicious. Other people notice suspicious activity and hesitate to call for fear of being labeled as "nosy" or a "crank." Others feel that someone else has already called the police.

Obvious Things to Watch For

• A stranger entering your neighbor's house when it is unoccupied, may be a burglar.
• A scream heard anywhere may mean robbery or assault.
• Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices could mean stolen property.
• Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gas from a vehicle.
• Anyone peering into parked cars may be looking for a car to steal or for valuables displayed inside.
• Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours could mean burglars.
• A sound of breaking glass or loud explosive noises could mean and accident, burglary, or vandalism.
• Persons loitering around schools, parks and secluded areas could be sex offenders.
• Persons loitering in the neighborhood who do not live there could be burglars.
• Anyone forcing entrance to, or tampering with a residence, business or vehicle should be reported.

Not So Obvious Things to Watch For

• Not every stranger who comes into your neighborhood is a criminal by any means. There are many perfectly legitimate people moving around our neighborhoods all the time. Some criminals do take advantage of this fact by assuming the guise of salespeople, repairmen, and service people.
  • You can protect yourself by checking the identification of all solicitors, meter readers, and repairmen prior to allowing them to enter your home.
  • Someone going door-to-door in your neighborhood.
  • If, after a few houses are visited, one or more persons tries a door to see if it is locked, looks into windows or goes into a back or side yard, it could be a burglar. This may be even more suspicious if one person remains in front while this happens or has a car that follows them from a few houses away.
• Juveniles walking casually through the neighborhood looking into cars, backyards, etc.
• Persons running, especially if carrying something of value.
• Someone carrying property. If it's an unusual hour, or an unusual place, or if the property is not wrapped.
• Persons exhibiting unusual mental of physical symptoms. They may be injured, under the influence of drugs, or in need of medical of psychiatric assistance.
• Human traffic to and from a certain residence. This would not be suspicious unless this occurs on a daily or very regular basis; especially during late or unusual hours. This could mean vice activities.
• Persons taking a shortcut through a backyard. They may have broken into someone's home.
• Parked, occupied vehicles that contain one of more persons.
• If it is an unusual hour the occupants may be lookouts for a burglary.
• Vehicles moving slowly and without lights or following an aimless or repetitive course. Particularly in the areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds. The occupants may be searching for a place to rob or burglarize, or they may be involved in drug or sex offenses.
• Vehicles being loaded with valuables in front of a closed business or unattended residence. The vehicle may even look like a legitimate commercial vehicle.
• Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle. This could mean possible drug sales.
• Persons being forced into vehicles. Especially if juveniles or females, may mean a kidnapping.
• Abandoned vehicles parked on the block. May be a stolen vehicle
• Open or broken doors or windows at a closed business or residence. If the owners are absent, this could mean a burglary that has been completed or is in progress.
• A beam from a flashlight in a neighbor's home. Especially if they are away.
• Persons wearing or carrying bloody clothing. Could be a suspect or victim of a serious crime.
• Persons making a quick change of vehicles. May be attempting to elude the police or abandoning a stolen vehicle.