How To Report Suspicious Activity To Police

See Something Say Something

The “See Something, Say Something” national campaign is designed to raise public awareness of the indicators of terrorism and terrorism-related crime, as well as the importance of reporting suspicious activity to state and local law enforcement.

If you see something suspicious, please call local law enforcement or the Florida hotline: 855-352-7233. If there is a life threatening emergency, always call 911.

It is helpful to give the most accurate description possible when reporting suspicious activity.

• Brief description of the activity
• Date, time and location of the activity
• Physical identifiers of anyone you observed
• Descriptions of vehicles
• Information about where people involved in suspicious activities may have gone
• Your name and contact information

Remember you can report on suspicious activities anonymously. If you see suspicious activity, please report it to your local police department. If you are experiencing an emergency, please call 911.

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Protecting Citizens’ Civil Rights & Civil Liberties

The “If You See Something, Say Something®” campaign respects citizens’ privacy, civil rights, and civil liberties by emphasizing behavior, rather than appearance, in identifying suspicious activity.

Factors such as race, ethnicity, and/or religious affiliation are not suspicious. The public should only report suspicious behavior and situations . Only reports that document behavior that is reasonably indicative of criminal activity related to terrorism will be shared with federal partners.

Shopping Online For The Holidays Here’s How To Keep Your Packages Safe From Porch Pirates

With online holiday shopping in full swing, how concerned should you be about the “Grinch” stealing your holiday packages?

Not all police departments keep statistics about package thefts, but those which do say they arent seeing a big rise in activity by porch pirates.

As of Dec. 13, the Newark Police Department had reported 54 package thefts for the year, only seven had occurred recently.

On Dec. 10, New Castle County Police arrested a 22-year-old man who was caught stealing Christmas gifts from a home in the Hunters Run neighborhood in Bear.

Wilmington has seen a drop in minor thefts but doesn’t track package thefts separately.

And in Dover and Rehoboth Beach, police departments have seen little to no package theft incidents.

But if you want to make sure your gifts are safe, police have a few suggestions to avoid being a victim of a porch pirate.

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Resource Library: How To Complete Suspicious Activity And Transactions Reports

Reference material on how to complete suspicious activities and transactions reports are available from the Resource Library in GoAML.

The Resource Library is available for reporting entities who have registered with GoAML. To access, reporting entities will need to log into GoAML and click on the question mark icon on the task bar.

What Types Of Reports Can I File Online

• Damage/Mischief to Motor Vehicle under $10,000.00
• Damage/Mischief to Property under $10,000.00
• Lost Property under $10,000.00
• Theft of Property – under $10,000.00
• Theft from Motor Vehicle – under $10,000.00
• Supplemental Report
• Driving Complaints Road Watch:- Constant Neighborhood traffic related issues- School bus violations.

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What Happens After I File A Report Online

• Upon submitting your completed report online, you will see the words Your online police report has been submitted indicating your report is complete.
• You will receive an email with a temporary case number until police have reviewed the report. Check your junk email folder if you do not receive the email in your inbox.
• Once a police officer has approved the online report, you will be notified and provided a permanent case number.
• The accuracy of the information you provide in the report greatly assists Peel Regional Police Service in investigating your incident. Please ensure the report is as complete and concise as possible.

Kingston Ferry Terminal Evacuated After Wsp Troopers Find Suspicious Package

Kingston Ferry Terminal area

The Kingston Ferry Terminal holding lanes were evacuated Wednesday night after Washington State Patrol troopers found a suspicious package outside of the terminal on Highway 104. The terminal was closed and the #1 Spokane vessel was held in Edmonds.

The package was removed from the area and the WSP bomb squad and K-9 units were called to assess the situation.

Law enforcement said the bomb squad took an X-ray of the package, but it was inconclusive.

A bomb technician was then called to evaluate the package to determine how to best deal with it.

At 9:07 p.m. WSP tweeted that the package appeared to be some sort of refrigeration compressor, deeming it safe.

The terminal was reopened at about 9:15 p.m.

An investigation into how and why the package was left is ongoing.

More news from KIRO 7

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Reports You Cannot Submit Online

• Robbery
• House and business break and enters
• Domestic disputes
• Theft of a vehicle
• Any type of fraud resulting in the loss of funds/personal information or property, including fraudulent use of debit or credit cards
• Incidents that involve lost / stolen citizenship cards, permanent resident cards, immigration documents, government cheques, or cash from the government
• Incidents involving firearms
• Stolen property for sale online such as on Kijiji, Craigslist, Facebook, etc.

These crimes may require a dispatched call. Please phone the Police non-emergency line 266-1234.

FOR EMERGENCIES OR CRIMES IN PROGRESS CALL 9-1-1.

Complaints About Police Officers

If you have experienced police misconduct:

• Contact the law enforcement agency involved.
• Submit your complaint in writing to the chief of police or the head of the law enforcement agency involved.
• Send a copy of your complaint to the Internal Affairs Division of the law enforcement agency. Be sure to keep a copy for yourself.

If the problem remains unresolved, learn how to file a complaint with the U.S. Department of Justice’s Civil Rights Division.

Finally, as with any potential legal dispute, you may want to contact a licensed attorney.

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When To Report Suspicious Behavior

• 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? Don’t doubt your instincts. Call 911 and let our call takers evaluate and respond to the information you provide.

Using Iwatch To Make A Report

The iWATCH suspicious activity reporting tool enables users to provide detailed information about suspicious activities or behaviors that may indicate possible criminal or terrorist activity

When a user logs in to iwatchdc.org, they are first presented with a Welcome screen. By clicking on Make a Report, you will be prompted to enter your contact information so that a member of the Metropolitan Police Department may contact you to follow up with any additional questions about what youve witnessed.

Follow the prompts, clicking on Next until you have completed all of the fields and pages that are applicable to the report you are making. The forms will prompt you for the basic information, such as the date and time of occurrence, the location , information about the individual and/or their vehicle, and a brief narrative of what you saw. You can also submit photos on the Attachments screen.

Once youve entered all the data, the system will provide an opportunity to review everything before you submit it.

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Who To Report Suspicious Activity To

The first, and most logical answer of course is to call the police, but if the activity is not posing an immediate danger to someone’s person or property that may not be necessary. If you have your own home security company, report it to them, and let them contact the police if they see fit.

You can also report some things to your neighborhood watch or neighborhood organization, including online social networks created for that purpose. This will alert your neighbors to also be on the lookout, and if the activity escalates, or they see in in their area as well, they can also take appropriate action.

Also, many police departments have a non-emergency number. If you saw something happen a while ago, or no one is being actively threatened, like someone watching a house from a parked car, the non-emergency number is the best answer.

However, if you hear screams, gunshots, or events seem to be moving quickly, call 9-1-1 right away. Again, it is better to say something and be wrong than to not say anything at all.

Reporting suspicious activity, keeping watch in your own neighborhood, is one of the best ways to keep yourself, your children, and this around you safe from harm. Know what is suspicious, how to report it, and who to report it to.

The Author

Ed Smith is a writer, coffee addict, and jack of all trades. He’s based in San Diego, California.

Reports You Can Submit Online

• Theft from vehicle no limit on value of property
• Theft of property no limit on value of property
• Theft of credit or debit card – regardless of fraudulent use.
• Mischief to vehicle such as vandalism, unless there is evidence of a collision such as paint transfer
• Mischief to property such as vandalism
• Lost property with the exception of government-issued ID such as passports. Please call your local district office to report lost government issued documents.
• Attempted stolen vehicle regardless of damage value
• Break & enter an unlocked premise Entry gained by unknown persons to detached garages, secure parkades, vehicle parkades, porches, sheds, storage lockers and laundry rooms. If entry occurs by forced or kicked indoor, or lock cut then report should be reported to 403-266-1234.
• Theft from a parkade or vehicle parked in a parkade only if no forced entry, otherwise call 403-266-1234.
• Theft of mail including deliveries from postal services such as UPS.

Filing a false police report is a crime.

Note: Please turn off your pop-up blocking software before filing the report.

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What The 911 Call Taker Needs To Know

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 are you in relation to what’s happening?
• What made the person’s actions suspicious?
• What did the person/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?

What Is Suspicious Activity

Suspicious Activity May Include:

• An expressed threat to commit a crime
• Threats of violence, or a communicated or displayed intent to cause harm to another person or persons
• Threats against schools, facilities, or events
• Surveillance of facilities or people
• The discovery of a gathering of weapons, chemicals, explosives, or electronic devices
• Attempts to enter restricted areas, test security systems, or tamper with a secure site
• Signs of human trafficking indicating a person is not free to leave
• Signs of drug activity such as recurring, brief visits to and from a property

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On The Transit System

• Sit near the bus or streetcar driver.
• Remember, on the subway, the first car and the car with the amber light on the outside have T.T.C. personnel on board
• Use the ‘yellow alarm strip’ on the subway when necessary
• Be alert for people watching or following you.
• Note the locations of telephones on the platforms and in stations that can be used to get help.

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If you received an email from a sender posing as Public Health Ontario offering you next steps for signing up for a vaccine certificate or asking for your private health information: Do not open it or click on any links.

*A phishing scam is an attempt to deceive you into giving sensitive information to someone posing as an individual or company that you know .

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Vital Information For Reporting Suspicious Behavior

When observing suspicious activity, please try to note the following information and make that information available to the 9-1-1 operator or Fusion Center representative taking the report:

• Whether a single individual or a group of individuals is engaged in the activity. If a group, then how many individuals are in the group is the individual or group in a vehicle or standing in the open?

Report Suspicious Behavior & Activity

Your assistance is critical to aiding law enforcement and public safety officials who are working to keep Rhode Island, your local community and our whole country safe.

The following are items that will be useful to Fusion Center investigators when you call or e-mail to report suspicious activity.

Always remember that your safety comes first. Never attempt to make contact with, pursue or in any other way interfere with an individual or group of individuals whom you think are acting suspiciously. Call 9-1-1 immediately to report suspicious activity in progress.

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Iowa Hsemd Does Not Have Law Enforcement Authority

While the Iowa Department of Homeland Security and Emergency Management works collaboratively with many law enforcement agencies , the agency does not have law enforcement authority.

If you wish to report suspicious behavior you have witnessed, please call 9-1-1 or your local law enforcement agency. The Iowa State Sheriffs and Deputies Association has a link with their member directory on their website. Or, you can contact your city police department.

If you SEE Something, SAY Something. Visit the Say Something Iowa website.

What is suspicious behavior?

Suspicious activity is any observed behavior that could indicate terrorism or terrorism-related crime. This includes, but is not limited to:

• Unusual items or situations: A vehicle is parked in an odd location, a package/luggage is unattended, a window/door is open that is usually closed, or other out-of-the-ordinary situations occur.
• Eliciting information: A person questions individuals at a level beyond curiosity about a buildings purpose, operations, security procedures and/or personnel, shift changes, etc.
• Observation/surveillance: Someone pays unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building taking notes or measurements counting paces sketching floor plans, etc.

Internet/Email “Phishing” Scams

Report Threats And Crime

General Public

Members of the public can report violations of U.S. federal law or suspected terrorism or criminal activity as follows:

Contact us online

• Use our Online Tips and Public Leads form to report information on criminal activity and suspected terrorist threats
• Report cyber crimes by filing a complaint with our Internet Crime Complaint Center

Contact us via telephone or mail

• Contact your local FBI office or closest international office 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

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Reporting A Crime Or Suspicious Activity

If you are the victim of or a witness to a crime or accident:

1. Contact the police immediately in one of the following ways:

• Dial 911. The non-emergency line is 803-777-4215.
• Use the Rave Guardian Safety App. It will connect you directly to the police.
• Come to headquarters. Come in-person to 1415 Henderson Street .
• Use an emergency call box. Push the red button on an emergency call box for a crime in progress.

2. Obtain a description.

Try to have a description of an offender age, gender, hair, race and clothing. For a vehicle, try to get the license plate number and the direction if it’s moving.

3. Preserve the crime scene.

Do not touch any items involved in an incident and do not allow others into the scene until police arrive.

Get Help After A Sexual Assault

• Contact the National Sexual Assault Hotline anytime at 1-800-656-HOPE . They will connect you anonymously with a counselor at your nearest rape treatment center.

• Find state domestic violence resources online.

• Call the National Domestic Violence Hotline anytime at 1-800-799-SAFE . You can talk confidentially with an advocate or find local resources.

• Contact the Loveisrespect hotline if you or someone you know is a victim of teen dating violence. Reach a peer advocate anytime by phone at , by texting loveis to 22522, or by chat online.

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Report Suspicious Activity Here

Prompt and detailed reporting of suspicious activities can help prevent violent crimes or terrorist attacks. If you see a suspicious activity, please report it to your local police department. Local law enforcement officers can respond quickly. Once they assess the situation, they can obtain additional support. This link is not monitored 24 hours a day, if you have an emergency please call 911.Citizens should always call local law enforcement. In you see something suspicious, please call local law enforcement.If there is a life threatening emergency, please call 911.Our partners in the Safe School Initiative:

• Mississippi Department of Public Safety

• Brief description of the activity
• Date, time and location of the activity
• Physical identifies of anyone you observed
• Descriptions of vehicles
• Information about where people involved in suspicious activities may have gone
• Your name and contact information

Behind the scenes there is an active national strategy for information sharing. The Nationwide Suspicious Activity Reporting Initiative is a collaborative effort led by the U.S. Department of Justice , Bureau of Justice Assistance, in partnership with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and state, local, tribal, and territorial law enforcement partners.Additional resources: