Reporting Suspicious Activity and Crime
Law enforcement cannot overcome crime without the support of citizens individually and as a community. When you help the Sheriff’s Department and RSF Patrol, you are also helping yourself to keep from becoming a victim of crime. It’s a community responsibility!
YOUR HELP IS NEEDED
If you see a crime being committed, report it immediately and accurately. If you are a victim of crime, report it as soon as possible. Even a five minute delay in reporting can significantly reduce the likelihood of catching the criminal. Don’t hesitate to call if you think something may be wrong, and don’t worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions turn out to be unfounded. Think about what could happen if you don’t act.
STEP 1: BE ALERT FOR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, such as…
• Someone running from a car or home.
• Someone screaming. Even if you cannot determine what the screams are or exactly from where they are originating, call the Sheriff’s Department and report it.
• A person who seems to have no purpose wandering in the neighborhood.
• Any unusual or suspicious noise that you cannot explain, such as breaking glass, pounding, the sound of gunfire, or an aggressively barking dog.
• A business transaction conducted from a vehicle. This could involve the sale of drugs and/or stolen property.
• Offers of merchandise or services at ridiculously low prices. Remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is.
• Strangers carrying property from residences or closed businesses.
• Strangers going into the side or backyard of neighbor’s home, especially when the neighbor isn’t home. Also report strangers entering a neighbor’s home in an unusual manner: through a window, breaking a window, kicking a door down.
• A stranger in a car stopping to beckon a child.
• A child resisting the advances of an adult.
• Abandoned vehicles that could possibly be stolen cars.
• Individuals attempting to forcibly enter a locked vehicle, especially at night or in a parking lot.
• A burglar alarm sounding.
• Excessive traffic to and from a residence, especially during unusual hours.
STEP 2: WRITE IT DOWN
As soon as possible, write down everything you can remember. Don’t rely on your memory. It’s very easy to get things mixed up or forget details – especially if you were the victim. Be as exact as you can and try to avoid guessing. Keep the following description of persons and vehicles handy where you can find it when needed.
