How To Report Suspcious Activities

Provide by the American Associtation of Retired Persons
Washington, D.C.

Be prepared.

Keep the number of the police or sheriff by your telephone.

Remain calm.

Avoid taking risks.

Keep away from the crime scene.

When you call to report a suspicious activity, you will be asked for your name, address and telephone number. This information is requested in case additional contact with you becomes necessary. You can remain anonymous, if you wish.

The following information is most important:

  • What happened
  • Time and place
  • Was anyone hurt?
  • Description of suspect(s)
  • Description of vehicle(s)
  • License plate number
  • Time and direction of escape
  • Additional details and circumstances


Remain on the telephone until you are certain the law enforcement agency has all the necessary information.

Above all, remember that you with your help in reporting suspcious activities, law enforcemnet agencies can more effectively protect the rights of citizens.

Suspicious Activity Concerning Persons

CircumstancePossible Crime
Going door to door in a residential area, especially in rear of residencePossible burglary suspects or trespassers
Waiting or loitering in front of a house or business, if business closed or house unoccupiedPossible Burglary suspects
Forcing entrance or entering your neighbor's house when it is unoccupiedPossible burglary, theft or trespassing
Person running, especially if something of value is being carriedPossible suspect fleeing the scene of crime
Person carrying property that is not wrapped, at an unusual hourPossible suspect fleeing the scene of a burglary or robbery
Much human traffic to and from a certain residence if it occurs on a daily or regular basisPossible vice or fence operation
Person screamingPossible rape or assault
Persons loitering around cars or going car to car peering into them especially in parking lots or on streetsPossible car thief or theft from vehicle
Persons offering items for sale at a very low pricePossibly trying to sell stolen property
Strangers loitering or driving through a neighborhood several timesPossible burglary suspects or vandals
Slow Moving vehicle without light or following aimless course. This is suspicious in any location including residential streets, schools and playgroundsPossible burglar, drug pusher or sex offender
Parked or occupied vehicle containing one or more persons, especially significant if observed at an unusual hourPossible lookouts for a burglary or robbery
Vehicles being loaded with valuables if parked by a closed business or unoccupied residencePossible burglary or theft in progress
Abandoned vehicle parked on your blockPossible stolen car
Vehicle containing weaponsOwner or driver may engage in criminal activity
Vehicle someone is being forced to enter, especially females or juvenilesPossible kidnapping, assault, attempted rape or child molesting
Vehicle in which business transaction is taking conducted, around schools or parksPossibly selling stolen items or drugs
Locked vehicle that someone is attempting to forceibly enter, especially in a parking lotPossible theft of a car or its contents
Persons detaching mechanical parts or accessories from a vehiclePossible theft or vandalism
Objects thrown from vehiclePossible disposal of objects or evidence of criminal act
Property in homes, garages or storage areas is suspicious if accumulations are large, or items are in good condition but not in usePossible stolen property
Property offered for sale at very low pricePossible stolen property
Property in vehicle that is not normally found in vehicles (TV sets, stereos, guns, auto parts) especially if observed at an unusual hour.Possible property just stolen in a burglary or robbery
Property being removed from or loaded into a vehicle or building, at an unusual hour, from a closed business or unoccupied residencePossible burglary or theft in progress

Other Suspcious Activity

CircumstancePossible Crime
Continuous repair operations at a non-business locationPossible stolen property being altered
Open or broken doors and windows at a closed business or unoccupied residencePossible burglary in progress, completed burglary or vandalism
Unusual noises such as gunshots, screaming or continously barking dogsPossible burglary, assault, rape, etc.
Sound of breaking glassPossible burglary or vandalism
A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptomsPerson my be injured, under the influence of drugs, or otherwise in need of medical attention

 

 
     
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