What is Suspicious?

What is suspicious activity? What makes someone suspicious? How do you know that something “funny” has taken place?

Suspicious activity is largely subjective, but what may be perfectly normal in one situation or setting may not be normal in another situation or setting. The best way to describe suspicious activity is: if something, or someone’s presence makes you feel that all is not right—but you must be able to explain why you feel it is suspicious to the police department.

Only you know what is normal activity for you residence or workplace, and only you can explain why certain activity is abnormal to the police. YOU know your office or residence better than anyone! If you have good habits of locking and securing items within your vehicle, and upon your returning, you find it the opposite—this is suspicious activity. Someone hanging out or lurking in an isolated area would be considered suspicious activity. When you call the police dispatcher, articulate this activity.

How do you describe a suspicious person? First, plan how to articulate this to the police dispatcher along with a description so the police officers responding can know what to look for. Don’t be shy! Speak with authority! The University police are here to serve you! Try to give the following information;

• Weight and Height
• What is their build
• Hair color
• Any glasses
• Facial hair
• Race
• How are they dressed
• Be specific as possible as to the location of the suspicious person, and their direction of travel if they should move from their location before the police arrive

When thinking about how you would describe this person(s); think of yourself as a caricature artist and what physical features you would emphasize? Stress and articulate the obvious when speaking to the police dispatcher.