Is it suspicious? REPORT IT IMMEDIATELY!

Here is what one California police department considers as examples of suspicious activity (copied from http://police.sdsu.edu/reptcrime.htm).

Reporting Suspicious Activities, Persons or Vehicles
Report suspicious behavior or circumstances. What is suspicious activity? Generally, if you trust your instincts, they’ll tell you what is suspicious about someone’s actions. Below, we’ve listed some types of behavior commonly associated with criminal activity to help “educate your instincts.”

Suspicious Persons or Activities
Any person going door-to door in a residential neighborhood. A person is especially suspicious if, after a few houses visited, one or more of them goes into a back or side yard. More suspicious if another remains in the front when this occurs. (Possible lookout for a burglary in progress inside.
Waiting in front of a house or business. Particularly suspicious if owners are absent-or business establishment is closed. (Possible burglary, theft, or trespass in progress.

Non-Resident going into back or side yard of house. Suspicious under almost any circumstances. (Possible burglary or trespass in progress.

Person running. Suspicious especially if something of value is being carried (possibly fleeing scene of crime).

Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms. (Possibly injured, or under the influence of drugs, or otherwise needing medical or psychiatric assistance.)

Carrying property, depending upon the circumstance. For example, if at an unusual hour or in an unusual place, and if the property is not wrapped, as if it had just been purchased. (Possible subject leaving the scene of a burglary, robbery or theft.)

Much human traffic to and from residence. Not suspicious unless it occurs on a daily or very regular basis, especially during late or unusual hours. (Possible vice or narcotics activities, or “fence” operation.)


Suspicious Vehicles

Certain moving vehicles. Especially slow moving vehicles at night, without lights, or if the course appears to be aimless or repetitive. This is suspicious in any location, but particularly in areas of schools, parks, or playgrounds. (Possible significance: “casing” for places to rob or burglarize. Drug pusher or sex offender.)

Certain parked and occupied vehicles. May contain one or more persons, especially significant if observed at an unusual hour. (Possible significance: lookout for a burglary or robbery in progress. True, even if occupants appear to be lovers.)

Vehicles being loaded with valuables. Suspicious if parked in front of a closed business or unattended residence, even if the vehicles is a legitimate looking commercial unit, possibly bearing a sign identifying it as a repair vehicle, moving van, etc. (Possible significance: burglary or other theft in progress.)

Abandoned vehicle. (Possible stolen car.)

Vehicle containing weapons. Suspicious under any circumstances. (Possible significance: owner may engage in criminal activity.)

Other unusual activity involving vehicles. Persons attempting to enter a locked vehicle, especially at night or in a parking lot. (Possible significance: burglary, theft or malicious mischief in progress.)

Person detaching mechanical parts or accessories from a vehicle. Especially at night in the street or in a parking lot. (Possible significance: Theft or malicious mischief in progress.)

Objects thrown form a vehicle, especially while traveling at high speed. (Possible significance: disposal of contraband or garbage dumping.)

Property in vehicles. Not suspicious unless the property is not normally found in vehicles, especially if observed at unusual hours, or if TV sets, stereos, tape decks, or auto parts are involved. (Possible significance: stolen property.)

Certain parked and occupied vehicles may contain one or more persons. Especially significant if observed at an unusual hour.