Recognizing Suspicious Activity

SUSPICIOUS VEHICLES

• Slow moving vehicles, vehicles without lights, and/or the course followed appears aimless or repetitive. This is suspicious in any location, but particularly in areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds.

• Vehicles being loaded with valuables are suspicious if parked in front of a closed business or untended residence, even if the vehicle is a legitimate looking commercial unit - possibly even bearing a sign identifying it as a repair vehicle, moving van, etc.

• Abandoned Vehicles

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR INVOLVING VEHICLES

• Persons attempting forcibly to enter a locked vehicle, especially at night or in a parking lot.

• Persons detaching mechanical parts or accessories from a vehicle especially at night or in a parking lot.

• Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle especially if around schools or parks, and if juveniles are involved.

• Persons being forced into vehicles, especially if juveniles or females.

• Objects thrown from a vehicle, especially while traveling at a high speed.

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR INVOLVING PROPERTY

• Property carried by persons on foot, especially questionable if the person is running. May be significant if the property is not wrapped as if just purchased.

• Property being removed from or being placed into vehicles or buildings if removed from closed residences whose owners are known to be absent.

• Someone offers to sell you something for significantly less than the market value.

• Items that accumulate in private garages, storage areas, or on property if it accumulates, especially if the items are in good condition but not in use. Example: A number of televisions sets being stored in a garage for a long period of time.

SUSPICIOUS BEHAVIOR INVOLVING PEOPLE

• Someone going door-to-door in a residential area if after a few houses are visited, one or more of the subjects goes into a back or side yard. More suspicious if another remains in the front when this occurs.

• Someone waiting in front of a house or business when the owners are absent, or if it is a business and the establishment is closed.

• Someone forcing entrance to or tampering with a residence, business, vehicle, etc.

• A non-resident going into a back or side yard.

• A person running especially if something of value is being carried.

OTHER SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY

• Continuous "Repair" operations at a non-business location.

• Open or broken windows at closed businesses or residences whose owners are temporarily absent.

• Unusual noises such as gunshots, screaming, abnormally barking dogs, or any noise that is suggestive of foul play.

• Unusual smells coming from location.

• Continuous traffic that comes and goes to the same location, usually staying for very short periods of time.

REPORT SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY