We are going to see some major changes in the next few weeks that are going to affect police service. The commitment from the police officers will be the most significant thing you will notice.
Officers will still respond to take your calls, but our responses to certain calls maybe limited based on the budget cuts that are going to be proposed.
We all need to remember that crime prevention is a task that we all share.
The role of the police officer is to step into those situations that most citizens are not willing. These roles are when there is a disturbance or other situation that would be best handled by an police officer. Taking steps to handle a hostile situation is not for all citizens and not all citizens should embark on a task of resolving these disturbances. It is best to leave this task to the police officer. So dialing 911 is going to be the best option.
But there are things that you can do to make your community, neighborhood or work site safe. Being an observer is one of the best tools for crime prevention. It should be noted that if you are observant, you can prevent crime or be the source for a resolution to that criminal act. Often times, the criminal does not want to be noticed when it comes to committing a property crime. They want to strike and leave without being noticed.
By using your observation skills, you have the opportunity to see the suspicious activity and take the necessary action to contact police to report that activity.
What do you need to know when you see someone suspicious?
First pay attention to them. Their height, weight, their clothing, race and age. You should look at them from head to toe and make a mental note or write down what they are wearing.
Do they have a hat?, Do they have a mask? Do they have short hair or long hair? Can you describe their hair? (Curly, straight, color)
Do they have any facial hair? Beard, mustache, or any other like long side burns.
If they have a mask on, what color are their hands? Can you see the eyes around the mask? What color? Can you see their eyebrows?
What color is their coat, shirt or top?
Are they wearing gloves?
What kind of pants are they wearing? What color are the pants?
What type of shoes do they have on? What color are their shoes?
Do they have a weapon? What type of weapon? Can you describe it? If you saw a picture of it again, could you identify it?
Are they in a vehicle? Is there a vehicle that does not belong in the neighborhood? What does the vehicle look like (color, make, model, 2 door or 4 door)?
So your next question is how can I get all this down so I can be a good witness?
Well, we start with being a very attentive friend. Every time you meet one of your friends, look them over and make one or two complements about them. Start at their head / face and move to their feet. Then complement them on something that you noticed about them.
Another way to practice is to look at people as you pass them, at the mall, store or park. Then when you can no longer see them, describe them. Then look back and see how close your description is if they are still in sight.
Practice does make perfect. You can become a great observer, you just have to try.
Spend a few days and see how well you do with your friends.
Then observe strangers and describe them.
See how accurate you can be with the description.
Your observation skill can also improve as you walk through parking lots. Look at the vehicles. What color are they, what make and model. The more time you spend looking at vehicles parked, you may become a better observer.
An example would be; "It was a Blue Chevy Impala, 4 door vehicle with tinted windows. It had an Oklahoma vehicle tag". If you can remember the tag number, that would be great too.
All this takes practice.
But with time you can become observant enough to realize that someone you see is up to no good. Watch them long enough and they might go somewhere else. Watch them long enough, you may be able to describe them so they can be apprehended by police.
With your help we can have a safe community. Contact the police department to find out more. Contact the Citizen Crime Commission for other tips on safety.
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