The Tribune

By Sgt Nathalie Ranger

Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility, not just law enforcement. One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to become more alert and aware of what is going on around you.

Report suspicious people seen in your community

Suspicious people may often be identified by their behaviour. While no one behavioural activity is proof that someone is planning to act inappropriately and many of the following behavioural indicators are perfectly consistent with innocent behaviour, these factors can help you assess whether someone poses a threat.

Behavioural factors to watch for include:

• Nervousness, nervous glancing or other signs of mental discomfort/being ill-at-ease.

• Inappropriate, oversize, loose-fitting clothes e.g., a heavy jacket/hoodie on a warm day.

• Keeping hands in pockets or cupping hands (as in holding a triggering device).

• Constantly favouring one side or one area of the body as if wearing something unusual/uncomfortable.

• Pay attention to a person constantly adjusting waistbands, ankles, or other clothing. Projected angles under clothing may also be indicative of a firearm, at the waist or the ankle.

Report criminal activities

One of the most important things that you can do when you see a crime or is a victim of a crime is to report it.

When you see criminal activity, you should immediately report it to the police.

Write down important information about the crime and criminal.

Gather information about the crime

As soon as possible, note the important details about the crime so that you can report them accurately to the police

• day and time the crime was committed

• the location

• the name of the victim

• what happened.

Write down information about the suspected criminal

You can help the police find the criminal and get them off the street by providing a description of the criminal. Be as detailed as possible. Note the following:

• Height

• Weight

• Approximate age

• Gender

• Race

• Hair and eye colour

• Whether the person had a weapon.

• Any distinguishing characteristics, such as birthmarks or walking with a limp

• What they were wearing

• What they were driving, including license plate number

•The direction they fled.

Know your Neighbours

Take the time to establish good terms and build relationships with all neighbours.

Great neighbours make their communities friendlier and safer, while improving the overall quality of life for themselves and those who surround them.

Caring neighbours stay informed on community issues. It is likely that you and your neighbours have busy lives and schedules, but if the community comes together as a group, change can happen more efficiently, and issues can be resolved more quickly.