Crime Prevention

Reporting Crime/Suspicious Activity

When to Report a Crime or Suspicious Activity

SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY - WHAT TO REPORT

1 A stranger entering your neighbor's house while they're away.
2. Offers of merchandise at ridiculously low prices.
3. Anyone removing accessories, license plates, or gasoline from a vehicle.
5. Persons entering or leaving a business after hours.
6. Sounds of breaking glass, gunshots, screaming, combat, or anything suggestive of foul play.
7. Persons loitering near schools, parks, or secluded areas in your neighborhood.
8. Open or broken windows at a closed business or residence.
9. Vehicles being loaded with valuables, even if they appear to be legitimate looking commercial vehicles.
10. Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons - especially if seen at an unusual hour.

These are just a few examples.
Report any activity that doesn't seem right.

How to Report an Incident

1. Call 765-922-4585. If an emergency exists such as a crime in progress or an incident where an injury has occurred or is possibly about to occur, call 911. Tell the officer or dispatcher what has happened.
2. Give the address or exact location of the incident.
3. Give your name and telephone number (but police will respond even if the complaint is anonymous).
4. Answer any questions the radio operator asks and remain on the phone until he or she has all the information needed.
5. Try to stay calm.
6. Be available to assist the officer(s) sent to investigate.

Providing Descriptions Of The Assailant
1. Sex - male or female
2. Race - white, black, Asian, Hispanic
3. Age - teens, early 30's, etc.
4. Height
5. Weight
6. Hair - color, style
7. Eyes - color
8. Complexion - color, acne, rash
9. Type of Speech - accent, slurred, vulgar, well educated
10. Peculiarities - scars, artificial limbs, mustache, beard, make-up
11. General Appearance - dirty, sloppy, well groomed

Clothing
1. Hat - color, style
2. Shirt - color, style, sleeves
3. Coat - color, style
4. Shoes - color, style, designs
5. Jewelry - rings, wristwatch, barrettes

Weapons
1. Revolver or semi automatic handgun
2. Shotgun or Rifle
3. Knife
4.Other Weapon

Vehicle
1. Make, Model, and Year
2. Color
3. Style - two door, hatchback, station wagon
4. License plate number and oddities such as dents, bumper stickers, etc.
5. Direction of travel (whether on foot or in a vehicle) Remember, even partial information may become extremely important in a subsequent investigation.

Preventing Burglaries

Burglars go through neighborhoods looking for uncut lawns and stuffed mailboxes. In the evening, they look for darkened houses or lights that have been left on too long.

Don't tempt a thief

Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

Locks…get the best

No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Outside

Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows

Most windows can be pinned for security.
Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms

An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation.
There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

If Your Home Is Broken Into

If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:
Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
Use a neighbor's phone or a cellular phone to call police.
Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

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