The C-PACT Blotter

Ever since this post, we've been talking about the importance of reporting suspicious behavior. The problem is that folks have differing definitions of "suspicious." Sure most of us would dial 911 if a team of henchmen rappelled onto the neighbors roof from a Kaos helicopter, but what about situations which are less clear?

To help establish some common ground, here are some guidelines from The Department of Safety and Security at Philadelphia's University of the Sciences. Granted they were written for a campus, but they make good sense anywhere. By and large, their obviousness may surprise you. (Tips slightly edited for college specific language and some breathlessness.)

 
WHAT IS SUSPICIOUS

"Am I witnessing a crime?" Most of us have found ourselves wondering this at some time or other. However, because we are not really sure, we tend to ignore what we have just seen and, hoping it wasn't so, we continue about our business.

"PEOPLE AREN'T SUSPICIOUS, BEHAVIOR IS!" Ed. note: We like this line.

Here are some signs or behaviors that may be suspicious:

• A person running would be suspicious if he or she were looking about furtively, as if he or she were being watched or chased.

• A stranger carrying property at an unusual hour or location, especially if the items are stereo equipment, office machinery or a locked bicycle.

• A person going door-to-door in an office building or a residential area may be looking for an opportunity to steal.

• Any person forcibly entering a locked vehicle, especially at night, is highly suspicious.

• Property in vehicles. This may not be suspicious unless the property is of an unusual nature: television sets, stereo equipment, un mounted tape decks or auto parts. Possible significance: could be stolen property.

• Transactions being conducted from vehicles, especially near schools or parks. You may be witnessing an illegal drug sale or sale of stolen property.

• One or more persons sitting in an parked car closely scanning the area around them may be lookouts for a burglary or robbery in progress, or for a crime being planned.

• Certain moving vehicles, such as vehicles moving slowly and running without lights or one that keeps passing the same area. It could be casing a building or house to burglarize, someone pushing drugs or someone planning another crime such as a robbery, kidnapping, etc.

• A person (especially a juvenile or female) being forced into a vehicle may be a kidnapping.

• A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms may have been injured in an accident, be under the influence of alcohol, drugs or medications, or otherwise need medical or psychiatric assistance.

• Unusual noises, including gunshots, screaming, sounds of fighting, barking dogs, or anything suggesting foul play, danger, or illegal activity.

This last one may be one of the most important. In both of the cases I've been involved in as a witness where arrests were ultimately made, it was noise--specifically the pop of car windows being broken--that alerted me or my family to the fact something was wrong.

I remember a conversation I had a long time ago with an old Boston cop, who told me that the real reason they put heat and air conditioning in patrol cars is so that officers can drive around with their windows down all the time. He said that in his long career, noise brought far and away more crimes to his attention than anything else.

Keep them ears open, people.