Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate a person may be involved in a crime or is about to commit a crime. For example, if you see someone ringing doorbells, then looking in your neighbor’s windows or over fences, that is suspicious activity. However, if you just see someone walking in your neighborhood that you do not recognize, that is not suspicious activity. Likewise, if you see a group of kids loitering in the area, that is not suspicious activity, however, if the kids are checking car doors or looking into car windows, that is suspicious behavior. Race, gender, socio-economic status, style of dress, etc. should never be a factor in classifying someone or a situation as suspicious.
When calling the police to report suspicious activity, it is important to let the police know what the person is doing that concerns you. It is also imperative you provide a description of the person who is concerning you, give their direction of travel, and provide as much information as possible regarding any vehicles they may be associated with. If you can get the license plate number, that can be especially helpful, but is not mandatory. Please do not hesitate to call us, and do your best to describe what is occurring in any given situation. It is also extremely important to call the police department with suspicious activity as soon as possible. Calling later in the day may still be helpful, but it is always best to call when the activity is occurring.
As the saying goes, when you “see something, say something.” You are an extension of the eyes and ears of the police department, and we need your help to keep our community safe.
The following are additional examples of suspicious activities that should be reported to the police department:
Suspicious Sounds
- unusual noises such as glass breaking, dogs continuously barking, or gunshots
- screeching tires or the sound of a collision
- screaming, yelling or crying
Suspicious Vehicles
- vehicles parked hastily, carelessly, abandoned while still running or with doors left open
- strangers driving through a neighborhood several times
- slow moving vehicle, without lights or driving aimlessly
- someone being forced into a vehicle
- out-of-place business transaction
- people loading a vehicle with valuables
- objects being thrown from a vehicle
- an obviously abandoned vehicle or a vehicle containing weapons or other items related to crime
- person removing mechanical parts from a vehicle
Suspicious Persons
- ringing doorbells and/or checking side gates
- peering into or forcing entrance into a house or car
- dressed inappropriately for conditions (wearing a coat on a hot day)
- delivery person with a wrong address or someone who asks for someone who does not live at that location
Suspicious Property
- open or broken doors and windows at an unoccupied house
- property offered for sale at a very low price
- property such as electronics, guns, tools, or auto parts being sold out of a vehicle
- property that has serial numbers obscured
