Neighborhood Watch 101: What to watch for in your neighborhood

By Melina Ann Collison

Photo By Eva Luedin

St. Louis – Develop awareness within your neighborhood watch group so people know what things they are watching for. There are three main areas that need to be monitored; vehicles, people, and activity.

You can utilize time at meetings to reiterate or teach individuals what criminal activity looks like. Furthermore, you may want to ask your assigned police officer if he will also get involved in this discussion.

The following situations are things that COULD be an indicator of criminal activity. Your local police department should be contacted if anyone sees anything suspicious.

Not everyone who comes into your neighborhood is going to be a criminal. Church groups and salespeople often go door to door. However, realize that criminals use disguises and they could be dressing up as anything, even a local repair store or utility department to gain entry.

Do not let anyone in the neighborhood watch group try to stop a crime or investigate criminal activity. Let the police handle everything. Remember that our police would rather be called and a report be found unwarranted than let a crime happen or be too late to help the victim.

What to Watch For

Vehicles

Some criminals try throwing contraband from windows. Watch for objects being thrown out of a vehicle.
Vehicles that have been abandoned could be linked to a crime or some criminal activity. If you see an abandoned vehicle call the local authorities.
Lookouts for robberies, criminal’s scouting their next victims, sex offenders, and drug sellers often utilize their vehicles. Look for a person or people sitting in a vehicle. This could be at an unusual time or by an unusual place. Example: someone is parked across from a school or playground watching the children makes that car in an unusual place; you see two individuals sitting in a car at 3 a.m. could be seen as an unusual time.
Vehicles that are moving with no headlights at night, going very slowly, or driving around with no direction or in circles could be considered suspicious activity.
Look for people removing parts from vehicles or forcibly trying to gain entry into a vehicle. These are the signs of vandalism and theft.
Watch for people doing “business” in a vehicle. Business can be described as the sale of stolen items, the sale of illegal drugs, or prostitution.
Vehicles that are parked and full of items could indicate a burglary. Report your findings to the local police.
Weapons in a vehicle is an indication of criminal activity.
An individual that is being made to get into a vehicle could indicate kidnapping, attempted rape, or assault. Call the police immediately.

Activity

Things happening at an unusual time of day or seem atypical could be reported as suspicious activity.
Business transactions taking place out of a home. This could include people coming and going from the home at all times of the day, vehicles being repaired at a continuous rate, or the homeowner could be altering stolen items.
Suspicious sounds; breaking glass, gun shots, loud noises, fire, screams, or dogs that do not stop barking.
Doors and windows that are open or have been broken into.

People

An individual who has an apparent altered mental state or who is obviously in need of medical attention is someone to watch for. Call the local police department at once and ambulance if necessary.
Individuals going to the rear of homes or businesses. The person could be going door to door or loitering in front of a residential area.
People screaming for help. Often parents teach their children to scream “fire” when in need of help. Listen for screams or specific words; help, fire, assault, police, rape.
Someone running could indicate they are fleeing the scene. The person could be throwing something or carrying an object.
Watch for people trying to break into homes or businesses.
A person looking into vehicle windows is a warning for theft.
A person driving through your neighborhood aimlessly or past the same street several times is a sign of burglary or robbery.
Someone hanging around secluded areas or an adult hanging around parks/schools/areas where children play could be an indication of a sexual predator.
People selling stolen goods will often try to do so on the streets. Watch for individuals loitering and trying to sell things.

For more info: The St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department is always willing to answer any calls or questions regarding Neighborhood Watch. If you live in an area surrounding St. Louis please contact your local police department.

Check out the first installment in the Neighborhood Watch 101 series: