Suspicious
Persons or Vehicles:
When to call police

Help the Police Help You.

No Police Department can function effectively without the concerned assistance of responsible citizens. We are depending on you to call us and tell us whenever you observe suspicious persons, activities or motor vehicles. When we work together we are unbeatable!

Some people fail to call the police simply because they are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious. Others may notice suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of seeming a "nosey neighbor" or a "crank." Still others may take it for granted that someone else has already called.

Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity and do it yourself … anonymously if you wish. (However, many court cases today require a named caller to allow police to meet the reasonable suspicion requirement.) Don’t worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded.

Think what might have happened if you didn’t call!!

What is suspicious?

"People aren’t suspicious, behavior is!"

Anything that seems even slightly "out of place" for the area or during the time of day it occurs. Obvious things to watch for and report include:

• A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when it is unoccupied.
• The scream anywhere might be serious.
• Anyone peering into parked cars.
• Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gasoline from a car should be reported.
• Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours may be a burglar.
• The sound of broken glass or other loud bangs or unusual noises.
• Persons loitering around schools, parks or secluded areas or in your neighborhood may be sex offenders.
• Persons moving around your neighborhood who do not live there. Such as someone going traveling door-to-door.

Some not so obvious clues:

Not every stranger who comes into your neighborhood is a criminal. There are many legitimate door-to-door salesmen, repairmen and serviceman moving around your neighborhood. But criminals do take advantage of this by assuming the identity of legitimate business representatives.

After all, if a criminal looked like a criminal no one would have any trouble finding him!

We take an extra step here in Bedford, all solicitors (door-to-door) must register with the police department prior to their door-to-door activities.

Here are some situations involving people you might see and what their actions might mean:

• Someone going door-to-door in your neighborhood. Watch for a while. If, after a few houses are visited, the person tries a door to see if it is locked or goes into a back or side yard, it could be a burglar.
• Someone waiting in front of a house or business is suspicious if the owners are gone, or the business is closed. This could be a lookout for a burglary in progress.
• Anyone forcing entrance to or tampering with a residence, business or vehicle is suspicious anytime, anywhere.
• A person running… especially if carrying something of value… could be leaving the scene of a crime.
• Carrying property could be suspicious too, if it’s at an unusual hour or in an unusual place, and if the property is not wrapped as if it were 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.
• Heavy human traffic to and from a certain residence is not suspicious unless it occurs of a daily or a regular basis especially during late or unusual hours.

When vehicles are involved,
what to watch…

• Any vehicles moving slowly and without lights, or following a course that appears aimless or repetitive is suspicious in any location.
• Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons are especially significant if observed at an unusual hour.
• Vehicles being loaded with valuables are suspicious if parked in front of closed businesses or untended residences … even if the vehicle is a legitimate looking commercial vehicle.

Information we will need:

• What happened?

• When?

• Where?

• Is anyone injured?

• Vehicle license plate number.

• Direction of flight.

• Description of persons or vehicles.

When describing suspects notice age, race, sex, height and weight. Compare your height and weight to theirs. Look for some unique characteristic that will help to identify the suspect later. An obvious indicator, such as an obvious piece of clothing, allows a quick identification by police.

Help us help you!
Report suspicious activity.

The direct reduction of crime in our community is all of our responsibility. Help reduce the possibility your of becoming a crime statistic.

Opportunities to commit crime must be reduced. We need your eyes and ears to help decrease these opportunities.

Be aware! Become suspicious of possible criminal activity in your neighborhood. Remember "Neighborhood Watch Program" means ‘Watch your neighbor.’ If you are familiar with your neighborhood, then suspicious persons or vehicles should be easy to spot.

Call us immediately when anything suspicious occurs!

 If you have any questions regarding Operation ID or any other crime prevention questions, please feel free to call Lt. James Graham at:  275-1212 ext. 121.