Suspicious Person or Activity
One of the avenues you can assist in crime reduction is through the reporting of a suspicious person or activity. The police can not be everywhere. You can help be their eyes and ears. And, no, it is not “snitching” if you are reporting appropriate observations. I will help you determine what to report and how to report it below.
Most of the following information is from the Alberta Rural Crime Watch Association and various RCMP websites.
First of all, why report anything? If you want a direct reason for how it affects you personally, any losses from crime on businesses or personal property – theft, vandalism – even if covered by insurance, need to be made up somewhere. You are likely going to pay for it through higher costs for goods and services, and/or higher insurance rates.
As noted above the police can’t be everywhere and they do encourage residents to report suspicious persons and activity. By reporting unusual activities as soon as you see them, you can provide law enforcement with the necessary information to take preventive measures and intervene before a crime occurs.
In the second quarter of 2024, Diamond Valley and Okotoks detachments received 68 reports of suspicious, persons or activity.
What can be classified as suspicious persons or activity? Here are some examples:
- Someone being forced into a vehicle
- Breaking glass
- Peering into homes or vehicles
- Items or vehicles situated in unusual places
The following is from Protective Services Investigations website:
“Watch for unusual behaviour:
- Loitering – individuals lingering around a specific area without a clear reason or purpose.
- Nervousness – visible signs of nervousness, like excessive sweating, fidgeting, or avoiding eye contact.
- Inappropriate dress – wearing clothing that is mismatched for the weather or occasion, such as a heavy coat on a warm day.
- Erratic movement – Acting in a way that appears confused or inconsistent with the surrounding environment.”
“Note key details:
- Description – the individual’s physical appearance, clothing, and any distinctive features like tattoos or scars.
- Location – document the exact location, including nearby landmarks or businesses.
- Time and Date – record the time and date of the behaviour.
- Behaviour – describe the suspicious behaviour in detail, including any actions or conversations.
- Items or Vehicles – note any suspicious items, bags, vehicles, or license plate numbers.”
If you want to report a suspicious person or behaviour you should contact your local RCMP detachment. Now you can also call 1-833-547-RAVE (7283). When you call RAVE, it will automatically connect you directly to central dispatch, which ensures a swift and effective response from the local RCMP detachment.
You can also report online through the RCMP website. This helps simplify the process both for yourself and for the police. The website will guide you through the questions which provide the police with information about the incident. The entire report takes about 15 minutes. You will receive an email confirmation with an incident number and a report.
The Alberta Crime Watch Association has a Crime Watch app that you can download from their website to make it easier for you to report suspicious activity. You can access online reporting directly from the app.
Reports of suspicious activity often come from people who felt their observations were minor or not important, but ultimately led to successful criminal investigations.
It should be noted that hunting season is upon us so you will naturally see vehicles parked at approaches and along roadsides at this time of year. Some hunters have been putting signs in their windows which state they have permission and from whom. Hunters are encouraged to adopt this practice.
Dave Schroeder
HCRCWA Board Member
