Posted by Debbie McKnight | Posted in Blockwatch | Posted on 03-02-2010
What is suspicious?
We notice something that seems odd, but are not quite sure that it is worthy of calling the police. Usually if it seems suspicious to you it is worthy of a call. Call the police immediately, don’t wait until the person has left the neighborhood. Try to get a good description of the person or vehicle that has aroused your suspicion. Call your block watch representative after you have reported it to the police.
Call 911 if –
- You hear someone screaming or shouting for help
- Sounds of breaking glass or shattering wood
- Property being taken out of houses where no one is home or businesses that are closed
- Someone being forced into a vehicle
Call dispatch 574-2111 if –
- You hear unusual noises
- See a beam from a flash light or light in a neighbor’s home
- Notice persons going door to door
- See someone looking into parked cars or windows
- See persons waiting in front of a home or loitering around the neighborhood
- A stranger in the backyard
- Property being carried on foot
- Property being loaded or removed from a vehicle
- An open or forced door or window
- Strange vehicles parked at your neighbor’s house
- Slow moving vehicles cruising the block
- A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child
- Abandoned cars
Remember if you see a situation that doesn’t feel right, it’s suspicious. Write down the description on any suspicious persons. Get the model, color, and license numbers of strange vehicles. Call the police immediately. Don’t assume that someone else has called. If criminal activity has occurred let your block watch Captain and neighbors know but CALL THE POLICE FIRST!
When you call the police try to provide the following –
- Stay calm – try to give all the information requested
- Description of car – make, model, color, direction of travel, the street that the vehicle was last seen on, license number
- Description of person – clothing, hair, height, build, anything that would make them identifiable
