Police cannot function effectively without the assistance
of concerned, responsible residents. They are depending
on YOU to call and tell them whenever you see suspicious
persons or activity.
Some residents fail to call the police simply because
they are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities
should be considered suspicious. Others may recognize
suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear
of being thought of as the neighborhood "busy-body."
Yet others simply assume that someone else has already
called the police.
Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity
- and do it yourself. Don't worry about "bothering"
the police; it is part of our job to investigate suspicious
matters. Do not worry about feeling embarrassed if your
suspicions are wrong; think instead about what could
happen in your suspicions are right and you don't call.
BUT
WHAT IS "SUSPICIOUS"?
Generally, anything that seems even slightly out of
the ordinary for your area or for the time of day may
signal criminal activity.
Some of the most obvious things to watch for and report
include:
-
A stranger entering your neighbour's home or
property when the neighbour is not home
-
Screaming or shouting may signal a
fight, robbery, rape, etc.
-
Offers of merchandise at ridiculously
low prices could mean stolen property.
-
Person removing car parts, license
plates, or petrol are considered suspicious.
-
A person looking into parked cars
may be looking for a car to steal or for valuables
left in plain view inside.
-
Persons entering or leaving a business
place after hours may be burglars.
-
The sound of braking glass or other
loud, explosive noises could mean an accident, break-in,
or vandalism.
-
Persons loitering around schools,
parks, secluded areas, or in the neighborhood may
be sex offenders, may be "casing" for crime, or
may be acting as a look-out.
-
Persons around the neighbourhood who
do not live there could be burglars.
-
Persons claiming to be representatives
of utilities (gas, phone, water, electric, cable)
but who are not in uniform or have no company identification
may be burglars.
SOME
NOT SO OBVIOUS THINGS TO WATCH FOR
Not every stranger who comes into your
neighbourhood is a criminal. There are many perfectly
legitimate door-to-door sales and service people conducting
business everyday. Criminals, however, take advantage
of this by pretending to be a legitimate business representative.
After all, if criminals looked like criminals, none
of us would have any problem spotting them...
Following are some situations you might see and what
they might mean:
-
Persons going door- to- door in your neighbourhood.
Watch for a while. If they look into windows,
appear to be trying doors to see if they're unlocked,
or go to a side or backyard, they may be burglars.
-
A person loitering in front of a home
or business is suspicious if the residents are away
for if the business is closed. There may be a burglary
in progress.
-
Anyone tampering with or forcing entry
into a building or vehicle is suspicious anytime,
anywhere
-
A person who is running and does not
appear to be exercising, especially if carrying
property could be fleeing the scene of a crime.
-
Simply carrying property may be regarded
as suspicious if it is at an unusual hour, in an
unusual place, if the person appears to be trying
to conceal the property, or if the property is not
wrapped as if it were just purchased
-
A person exhibiting unusual mental
or physical behavior may be injured, under the influence
of drugs and/or alcohol, or in need of psychiatric
help.
-
Heavy foot traffic to and from a certain
residence may indicate narcotics activity or a "fencing"
operation (buying and selling stolen property),
if it occurs on a regular basis, especially during
unusual hours.
THINGS
TO WATCH FOR INVOLVING VEHICLES
-
Any vehicle without lights at night, cruising
slowly, or following a course that seems aimless
or repetitive is suspicious in any location, but
particularly so in areas of schools, parks, and
playgrounds. Occupants may be "casing" for a burglary
or robbery, or they could possibly be drug dealers
or sex offenders.
-
Parked, occupied vehicles are worth
noting, especially if seen at unusual hours. It
could be a possible lookout for a crime, even if
the occupants appear to be lovers.
-
Vehicles being loaded with valuables
are suspicious if parked at a closed business or
residence where the occupants are away, even if
the vehicle appears to be a legitimate commercial
unit. Professional thieves will often take the time
and trouble to customize their vehicles with special
signs in order to move freely without attracting
attention and raising suspicion.
-
Apparent business transactions conducted
from a vehicle, especially around schools or parks
and if juveniles are involved, may be indicative
of drug sales.
-
Persons being forced into vehicles,
especially if female and/or juvenile, may mean a
possible kidnapping.
-
The unfamiliar abandoned vehicle parked
on your block may be stolen.
OTHER
UNUSUAL SITUATIONS YOU SHOULD REPORT
-
On- going vehicle "repair" operations at a non-
business location could mean premises where stolen
cars are stripped, repainted, or otherwise altered.
-
Open or broken windows and doors at
a home or business could mean a burglary still in-
progress or already completed.
-
Gunshots, screaming, the sounds of
a fight, persons chasing others on foot or in cars,
unusual barking of dogs - anything suggesting foul
play, danger, disturbance of the peace, or criminal
activity - should be reported.
While some, if not all, of the suspicious
circumstances described above could have logical and
legitimate explanations, the Police would rather investigate
a potential criminal situation and find nothing than
be called after it is already too late and someone has
been victimized. Your call could stop a criminal act,
prevent an injury, or possibly even save a life.
WHAT
HAPPENS WHEN I CALL THE POLICE?
All calls to the Police are prioritized
according to the seriousness of the situation, NOT simply
according to the order in which they are received. If
you call the police, please be prepared to provide as
much of the following information as possible:
-
What are you reporting?
-
When did it happen?
-
Where did it happen?
-
Is anyone injured?
-
Vehicle description (including license
number).
-
suspect description, including race,
sex, age, height, weight, hair, eyes, facial hair,
clothing, and any other identifying characteristics.
-
Direction of flight(street and direction).
-
Weapons involved (gun, knife, bats,
etc.).
-
Where are you calling from?
While it may seem as though you are being
asked many questions, the information is for the safety
of the responding officers. The dispatcher is attempting
to gather as much information about the situation as
possible so that the officers will have a clearer picture
of what they may encounter when they arrive. Please, remain calm and cooperate with the dispatcher.
The above courtesy of Fremont
North Neighbourhood Council, Oxnard, California,USA
In
your area
