WSHA Neighborhood Watch: Tips on Reporting Suspicious Activity to Police

I get a lot of questions from Wantagh-Seaford Homeowners Association Neighborhood Watch members and neighbors such as;

• When should I call the Police?
• What do i need to tell the Police Department when i see something?

Hopefully the tips provided below will answer these questions, teach you what to look for and how to record information for responding officers. When you do see something its always better to report than remain silent. Neighborhood Watch encourages neighbors to get involved and be proactive. The residents are the eyes and ears of a neighborhood providing an important resource to the Police Department. Neighbors working with the Police Department make a safer and more informed Community.

What is Suspicious Activity?

• A stranger loitering in your neighborhood or a vehicle cruising the streets repeatedly. 
• Someone peering into cars or windows.
• A high volume of traffic going to and coming from a house on a daily basis. 
• Someone loitering around schools, parks and secluded areas. 
• Strange odors coming from a house, building or vehicle.
• Open or broken doors and windows at a closed building or unoccupied residence. 
• Someone tampering with electrical, gas or sewer systems without an identifiable company vehicle or uniform.
• Persons arriving or leaving from homes or businesses at unusual hours.
• Multiple persons who appear to be working in unison and exhibiting suspicious behavior.
• Signs of forced entry or tampering with security or safety systems.

Knowing how to report.

• For above activity call 911
• Tell dispatcher what happened and give an exact location.
• Provide a detailed description of individuals and vehicles.
EX Individuals/ male or female, Ethnicity, age, height and weight and clothing
EX Vehicles/ plate number, make and model of car and vehicle color.
• Remain on the phone and stay calm.
• Be prepared to answer follow up questions by the dispatcher.

Courtesy of the Nassau county police department

What are Suspicious Vehicles?

• Certain Moving Vehicles-Especially if slow moving and without lights.

• Certain Parker or Occupied Vehicles-May contain one or more persons, at  unusual hour.

• Persons attempting to forcibly enter a vehicle.

• Persons detaching mechanical parts or accessories from a vehicle.

• Business transactions conducted from a vehicle-Suspicious especially if around schools or parks.

Courtesy of the Norfolk Police Department

Christopher Carini is a Trustee for the Wantagh Seaford Homeowners Association and also serves as The Director of the WSHA Neighborhood Watch

For more information on Wantagh Seaford Homeowners Association Neighborhood Watch

Join the above group on Facebook at  https://www.facebook.com/groups/wantaghseafordwatch/?ref=ts&fref=ts

Or at the WSHA website at www.WSHA.LI