Neighborhood Watch Program
What is suspicious and when do you call your law enforcement agency? Keep your emergency numbers in a handy location, where they can be reached in a moment’s notice. If you know a crime is happening, or suspect that something suspicious or dangerous is going on, or even if potential trouble exists do the following: Make an assumption if it is an emergency. An emergency requires IMMEDIATE Police, Fire and/or Paramedic’s response. Example: A person is facing a deadly situation or property is in the process of being stolen. If the situation is ROUTINE, then do not tie up the emergency lines. Call the regular number of your Law enforcement agency. Remember, you may be using some else’s time that may be desperately needed in the other person’s real emergency. How and why you contact the enforcement agency is very important. When you call, stay on the line. Answer all questions calmly and clearly. Do not hang up until the Dispatcher tells you to! Follow the directions of the Dispatcher, he or she is trained for emergency situations and will guide you through the entire process with their questions and instructions. While the operators are talking with you, they are relaying information to the appropriate agency through a computerized dispatch system. Because of this fast electronic network, the dispatcher is able to communicate with field units while the operator obtains pertinent information from you while you are on the line. If the field unit has questions, they can go back through their dispatcher to the operator talking to you. For this reason, it is important that you STAY ON THE LINE AND NEVER HANG UP - UNTIL INSTRUCTED TO DO SO! FIRST: You will be asked what your emergency is. Police, Fire or Medical? What is your location? Your name and telephone number? And are you in any danger? WHAT is happening: Try to be as calm and specific as possible. Example: “There is an emergency. Two people have just been wounded and the gunman has fled”. WHAT is needed: Police, Fire Department, or Paramedic? Example: “We need police and paramedics, now”. WHEN is it happening: Is it occurring, now? How long ago did it happen? WHERE is it happening: Give the specific address and directions. Example: “The shooting happened at the McDonald’s on 123 south Main at Woodson Road. WHO is involved: Quick descriptions of the victims and the perpetrators need to be communicated. Example: “Two teen-age boys are wounded. The suspects were male (specify ethnic background, if possible), about 20 years old, black hair, (etc) driving a blue Dodge van, license number 3AdamBoyCharlie555, Missouri plates”. Then WAIT for the operator’s questions. Be as specific and factual as possible in answering all questions. Follow any instructions given to you. If you have to generalize about any answer, then specify that to the operator. Know the location you are calling from. Cooperate fully with the operator and the follow-up personnel who may contact you. The same series of questions need to be answered when you are calling in a ROUTINE situation. A Routine situation is one in which immediate response is not necessary, but does require police attention. A stolen battery, stereo or cell phone in your car or home does require attention, but not immediate attention. The Police Department appreciates your staying alert to your surroundings. Sometimes, your suspicions are unfounded. It is up to your law enforcement agency to evaluate and investigate suspicions. You may occasionally be wrong, but your law enforcement agency will not be mad at you. CALL THEM ANYTIME your suspicions are aroused. They are on the job. DON’T HESITATE – CALL!! Alerting your legal agency in an emergency or of any suspicious activity is the first step in rendering assistance and helping to stop crime. Suspicious activity is anything that looks like it could be connected with criminal behavior – someone casing a neighborhood, forcing open a door, grabbing a child; screaming or pounding coming from a nearby residence or apartment; of strong chemical odors coming from an inappropriate building, are but a handful of examples. If the activity is or appears to be threatening to property or people, immediately report the suspicious activity to the police. Time is critical in apprehending criminals. It is better to be overly-suspicious than to let a criminal get away. Do Not attempt to apprehend or capture the person(s) you see doing the suspicious behavior. This could be a very dangerous thing for you to try to do. Nothing is worth your safety. Caroline Martin & William Holcomb Emergency: 911 Non-Emergency Dispatch: 314-889-2341 |