INFORMATION MOST OFTEN NEEDED

 

8/22/2005

 

Who was involved? What happened? When did it happen? Why did it happen? How did it happen? Was anyone injured?

OBVIOUS THINGS TO WATCH FOR

Basically, anything thai seems even slightly "out of place" or that is occurring at an usual time of day or night could be criminal

activity. Some of the most obvious activities to watch for and report include:

A stranger entering a person's house when it is unoccupied. Pennsylvania State Police

A scream heard anywhere.

Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices.

Anyone removing accessories, license plates, or gas from a vehicle.

Anyone peering into parked vehicles.

Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours.

A sound of breaking glass or loud explosive noises.

Persons lOitering around schools, parks, secluded areas, or in the neighborhood.

Persons around the neighborhood who do not live there.

Anyone forcing entrance to, or tampering with a residence, business, or vehicle.

Mail piling up in the mailbox.

SOME NOT SO OBVIOUS THINGS TO LOOK FOR

Not every stranger who comes into the neighborhood is a criminal by any means. There are many perfectly legitimate doorto-

door salesmen, repairmen, and servicemen moving around our neighborhoods all the time, but criminals do take advantage

of this by assuming the guise of legitimate business representatives. After all. if criminals looked like criminals, no one would

have any trouble spotting them. Be suspicious of anyone with a wrong address or asking if someone else lives there.

Someone going door-to-door in the neighborhood, watch for awhile. If, after a few houses are visited, one or more of the

persons tries a door to see if it is locked, looks into windows, or goes into a back or side yard, it could be a burglar. Such

action is even more suspicious if one person remains in the front when this occurs, or ifthere is a car following a few houses

away.

One or more juveniles walking casually through the neighborhood looking into automobiles, backyards, etc.

A person running, especially carrying something of value.

Someone carrying property, if it's at an unusual hour or in an unusual place, or if the property is not wrapped as if just

purchased.

A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms may be injured, under the influence of drugs, or otherwise needing

medical or psychiatric assistance.

Human traffic to and from a certain residence is not suspicious unless it occurs on a daily or very regular basis; especially

during late or unusual hours. It could possibly be the scene of vice activities or a fence operation.

Any persons taking a shortcut through a backyard.

Any vehicle moving slowly and without lights or following a course that appears aimless or repetitive in any location, but

particularly so in areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds.

Parked, occupied vehicles.

Vehicles being loaded with valuables, if parked in front of a closed business or unattended residence, even if the vehicle is a

legitimate-looking commercial vehicle.

Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, especially around schools or parks.

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

An abandoned vehicle parked on your block.

Continuous repair operations at non-business locations.

Open or broken doors or windows at a closed business or residence.

A beam from a flashlight in a neighbor's home.

Persons wearing or carrying bloody clothing.

Persons making a quick change of vehicles.

While some, if not all, of the suspicious situations described could have innocent explanations, the Pennsylvania State Police

would rather investigate a crime-prone situation than be called when it is too late. Your call could save a life, prevent an

injury, or stop a criminal act. BE ALERT!