Report Suspicious Activity

Contact Information

Emergency: 911
Non- Emergency: 626-570-5151

Don't Ignore It! Report Suspicious Activity

What Is "Suspicious?" Activity? (When to Call the Police)

No police department can function effectively without the concerned assistance of responsible citizens. Police are depending upon you to call and report whenever you observe suspicious persons or actions.
Some people fail to call the police simply because they are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious. Others may notice suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of seeming to be a "nosy neighbor" or a "crank." Still, others take it for granted that someone else has already called.
Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity-and do it yourself. Don't worry about "bothering" them, because this is the police department's purpose. Don't worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Think instead about what could happen if you don't act.

Reports can be made any time by dialing 911 or calling 626-570-5151.

Describing a Suspicious Incident to Police

The following information is the most helpful when reporting an incident:

Who did I observe?
What specifically did I see?
Where did I observe the suspicious behavior?
When did I observe the suspicious behavior?
Why do I think the behavior is suspicious?

Plus, for a person:

Age (approximate)
Build (medium, heavyset, thin, etc.)
Clothing (from head to toe, style, defects)
Complexion (light, dark, ruddy, olive)
Eyes (color, glasses)
Hair (color, length, including facial hair)
Height (approximate; use 2-inch blocks)
Method of escape (direction, vehicle, etc.)
Peculiarities (scars, tattoos, missing limbs)
Race
Sex
Weapons (if any)
Weight (approximate; use 10 lb. blocks)

For a vehicle:

Body type (2 doors, 4 doors, van, SUV, etc.)
Damage or anything unusual (logos, etc.)‍
License Plate (most important)
Passengers (number of people in the vehicle)
Year, make, and model

So, What Is "Suspicious?"

Basically, anything that seems even slightly "out of place" for the area or during the time of day in which it occurs could mean criminal activity such as:

A stranger entering your neighbor's house when it is unoccupied may be a burglar.
A scream heard anywhere may mean robbery or rape.
Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices could mean stolen property.
Anyone removing accessories, license plates, or gasoline from a car should be reported.
Anyone peering into parked cars may be looking for valuables left displayed in the car.
Persons entering or leaving a business place after hours could be burglars.
The sound of breaking glass or other explosive noises could mean an accident, housebreaking, or vandalizing.
Persons loitering around schools, parks, secluded areas, or in the neighborhood could be sex offenders.
Persons around the neighborhood who do not life or unfamiliar to you there could be burglars.

Not every stranger who comes into your neighborhood is a criminal by any means. There are perfectly legitimate door-to-door sales, repair, and service people moving around our neighborhoods all the time. But criminals do take advantage of this by assuming the guise of legitimate business representatives. Read on for examples of behavior that can initially appear normal but that take on another character on closer observation.

After all, if a criminal looked like a criminal, no one would have any trouble spotting him/her.

When Normal Behaviors Can Become Suspicious Behavior

Someone is going door-to-door in your neighborhood. Watch for a while. If after a few houses are visited, one or more of the persons tries a door to see if it is locked or goes into a back or side yard, it could be a burglar. Such action is even more suspicious if one person remains in front when this occurs or if there is a car following a few houses away.
Someone waiting in front of a house or business becomes suspicious if the owners are absent, or -if it is a business- the business is closed. This might be a lookout for a burglary in progress inside.
Anyone forcing entrance to or tampering with a residence, business, or a vehicle is suspicious anytime, anywhere.
A person running, especially if carrying something of value, could be leaving the scene of a crime.
Carrying property could be suspicious too, if it's at an unusual hour or in an unusual place, and if the property is not wrapped as if just purchased.
A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms may be injured, under the influence of drugs, or otherwise needing medical or psychiatric assistance.
Much human traffic to and from a certain residence is not suspicious unless it occurs on a daily or very regular basis, especially during late or unusual hours. It could possibly be the scene of vice activities or a "fence" operation.
Any vehicle moving slowly and without lights, or following a course that appears aimless or repetitive is suspicious in any location, but particularly so in areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds. Occupants may be "casing" for places to rob or burglarize, or could possibly be drug pushers or sex offenders.
Parked occupied vehicles containing one or more persons are especially significant if observed at an unusual hour. They could be possible lookouts for a burglary in progress.
Vehicles being loaded with valuables are suspicious if parked in front of a closed business or untended residence-even if the vehicle is a legitimate-looking commercial unit. More and more professional thieves are taking the time and trouble to "customize" their vehicles with special signs in order to move more freely without suspicion.
Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, especially around schools or parks and if juveniles are involved, could mean possible drug sales.
Persons being forced into vehicles-especially if juveniles or females-may mean a possible kidnapping.
The abandoned vehicle parked on your block may be a stolen car.

‍Other Unusual Activities Worth Reporting

Continuous "repair" operations at a non-business location could mean stolen property being stripped, repainted, and otherwise altered.
Open or broken doors or windows at a closed business or residence whose owners are absent could mean a burglary in progress or already completed.
Unusual noises such as gunshots, screaming, sounds of fighting, or a dog barking excessively - anything that suggests foul play, danger, or illegal activity.
Unusually strong chemical odors in a residential area or near a storage building may indicate an illegal drug operation.
Someone parking a vehicle on one street and walking to another street could indicate a burglar or thief attempting to hide their escape vehicle.

In Summary, "Don't Ignore It; Report It!"

Call 911 immediately if you observe the possible criminal activity. While some, if not all, of the suspicious situations described above, could have innocent explanations, the Alhambra Police Department would rather investigate a situation that could suggest criminal activity than being called when it's too late. Your involvement could save a life, prevent an injury, or stop a crime.