• Introduction: Preparing for an emergency
• Quick Checklist
• Your emergency preparedness kit
• Keeping informed
• Contact information
• Handling mail safely
• Reporting suspicious activity
• When electrical power is lost
• Emergency shelter
• Checking on relatives and neighbors
• Evacuation
• Chemical/biological emergencies
• Emergency planning for pets
• Emergency planning for businesses
• Making financial preparations
• Children in school
• Keeping warm
• Links to Additional Information

Falcon Heights Home Guide to Emergency Preparedness

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Occasionally, the federal government may call for a heightened state of alert on the part of local law enforcement and residents.

When the police go to a higher state of alert, they may add extra patrols in various locations, increase staffing, carry extra protective equipment and maintain more frequent communication with federal, state and other local law enforcement agencies.

Residents should also increase their awareness of their surroundings and report any suspicious activity to the police.

Many people fail to act because they are not sure if what they are observing is worth reporting.

When in doubt, call the police (not City Hall) immediately. Don't lose precious time discussing the event with friends and neighbors first.

Types of activity that residents should report include people, vehicles, or circumstances that appear unusual or out of place, such as:

• Someone tampering with the electrical,gas, or sewer system without an identifiable company vehicle and uniform.
• An unusually large amount of traffic coming to a house or apartment building.
• Houses or buildings where no owner or primary renter is apparent, and no home activities - yard work, painting,maintenance, etc. - seem to go on.
• A stranger around your neighborhood ora strange vehicle parked in your neighborhood for a long period of time.
• Someone looking into houses or vehicles.
• Recurring appearances of strange vehicles in the neighborhood.
• Houses or buildings where extreme security measures seem to have been taken.
• Strange odors coming from around houses or buildings.
• Door-to-door solicitors without solicitor permits, or any stranger knocking at doors.

If you suspect a crime is being or is about to be committed, call 911. Do not panic and do not put yourself at risk.

If the activity simply appears suspicious, call the police non-emergency number, 612-782-3350, and describe the activity in detail.

You need not give your name in either case. However, if you want a police officer to contact you, you can request this when you call. In this case, be prepared to give your name, address and telephone number. This information is kept confidential.

Top | Disclaimer

© 2007 City of Falcon Heights