If it’s suspicious to you, it’s worth reporting it to 911. Examples include:

• Unusual noises, including screaming, sounds of fighting, glass breaking
• People in or around buildings or areas who do not appear to be conducting legitimate business
• Unauthorized people in restricted areas
• Vehicles driving slowly and aimlessly through neighborhoods, around schools or parking lots
• People peering into parked vehicles that are not their own
• People who change their behavior when they notice that they have been seen
• People dressed inappropriately for the weather or occasion, (i.e., heavy coat in warm weather); or
• Abandoned parcels or other items in unusual locations (i.e. in a lobby or elevator)

We urge you to call 911 when:

• You believe someone is in physical danger
• You believe a specific crime is happening
• You believe something is suspicious

What makes it suspicious? Be able to explain to the 911 call taker why the behavior you are seeing/hearing is suspicious. What gives you the feeling that a crime is in progress or about to occur?

• Where are you? Take a quick look around to make sure you know where you are. When calling 911 from a cell phone, you will be routed to the jurisdiction in which you are located. Always tell the 911 call taker exactly where you are so they can transfer you to the correct jurisdiction, if necessary. Give your specific physical address or nearest intersection; don’t assume the call taker knows.
• What just happened? Think about what you are trying to report and be ready to say, “I’m reporting a (Enter crime, emergency or suspicious activity here).”
• What information do I need to tell the call taker? Take a second to think about the people or vehicles you may need to describe

You dial 911. The call taker answers, “911, what is your emergency/what are you reporting?”

You respond, “I’m reporting a (enter crime or emergency here).”

From this point on, let the call taker control the call and ask questions. The 911 call takers have a system and format they follow in order to get the most accurate information from you to send to the dispatchers. Allow them to follow their format and the call will go much quicker. If you interrupt the call taker by trying to give more information, you can actually slow down the police response. If a question is asked for which you do not have an answer, it’s okay to say, “I don’t know.” Please stay on the line until the call taker tells you they have what they need and says it’s okay to hang up.

Above all, stay calm. Callers often give incorrect information because they are stressed about the situation. Take a deep breath and look around. This will settle your mind, allow you to take in your surroundings, and allow you to assess any dangers related - or unrelated - to the situation.

The 911 call taker is focused on what you are reporting at that moment. Information the call taker may ask for includes:

• What is happening?

• Where is it happening?

• Where are you in relation to what’s happening?

• What made the person's actions suspicious?

• What did the person(s)/vehicle look like?

• Did the person say anything? If so, what?

• Were any weapons displayed or was there threat of a weapon?

• What was the person's last known location and direction of travel?

When giving a description of a person to the call taker, first describe things they can’t easily change:

• Race/skin tone, gender, age, hair, scars, marks, tattoos (i.e. White male, 30’s, brown hair, heart tattoo on left bicep)

Then describe their clothing from top to bottom and inside to outside:

• Blue hat, white t-shirt, black jacket, blue pants, white socks, grey tennis shoes

Describe characteristics that make the person stand out:

• Walks with a limp, no teeth, sweating profusely

Give the person’s last known location and direction of travel; where are they/which way did they go?

• Was heading north on 23rd Avenue South from South Walker Street

If you are reporting a suspicious vehicle – or a suspicious person in a vehicle - please provide as much information about the vehicle as you can. Consider the acronym CYMMBALS”

Color- If you don’t know, give shade (Light colored - Dark colored)

Year- If you don’t know, a rough guess works (newer - 80’s model - late 80’s)

Make- If you aren’t sure, you can say “It looked like a … (Pontiac, Hyundai, etc.).”

Model- (Grand Am, Sonata) if you don’t know, you can skip it.

Body- 2 door (Coupe), 4 door (Sedan), Hatch back, Wagon, Van.

Accessories- Roof Rack, Tinted Windows, Fancy Rims etc…

License number– if you can write it down or memorize it great. If not, relay as much as you can.

State– If the license plate is from out-of-state, please say so.

Describe anything that makes the car stand out, such as any damage and the damage location, stickers, antennae balls, etc… and last known location and direction of travel.

Remember that it is always better to report a person or situation and have it turn out not to be a crime or hazard than to not report and find out later that a crime was committed. You won’t get in trouble for reporting something that you feel is suspicious and upon checking it out, we discover that nothing was amiss. The important thing is to report the activity and let the responding officers sort it out.