Office of the Sheriff
1 Woolfolk Ave
PO Box 504
Louisa, VA 23093
Emergency: 911
Non-Emergency:
540-967-1234
434-589-3007
804-556-3713
Sheriff's Admin
540-967-4589
LCSO@louisa.org
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Louisa County Sheriff's Office
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Reporting Suspicious Activities |
What is meant by "Suspicious"?
Suspicious can be any person, act, event, or situations that appears questionable.
Anytime someone or something "just doesn't seem right to you" - that's when
YOU should call the Police.
The Louisa County Sheriff's Office can combat crime and function more effectively
with the assistance of responsible citizens. We are depending on you to call
and report all suspicious persons or actions.
People often fail to call the police and report an incident simply because
they are unaware of what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious.
Others notice suspicious events and hesitate to call for fear of being labeled
a "nosy neighbor" or "crank". Others take it for granted that someone else
has already called.
Call the Police immediately - if you observe any suspicious person,
activity, or situation. Do it yourself. Protecting citizens and their
property is our job, so don't think your bothering us. Do not worry about
being "embarrassed" if your suspicions prove unfounded - instead - THINK
ABOUT WHAT COULD HAPPEN IF YOU DO NOT ACT.
INFORMATION MOST OFTEN NEEDED
What happened? When did it happen? Where did it happen?
Was anyone hurt?
Descriptions of persons: (Include clothing). When observing
or describing suspects, notice age, race, sex, height, and weight. Compare
your own weight and height with the suspect's. Pick out some unique characteristics
(scar, nose, jewelry, etc.) That will help you identify the suspect in the
future.
Description of the vehicle: License number, make, model, color, and
any noticeable damage, and direction of travel.
SUSPICIOUS EVENTS TO WATCH FOR AND REPORT
Basically, anything that seems even slightly "out of
place" or occurs at an unusual time fo day could be criminal activity. Some
of the most obvious events to watch for and report include":
- Any stranger entering your neighbor's unoccupied
house could be a burglar.
- Offers of Merchandise at ridiculously low prices
is an indication of stolen property.
- Anyone peeking into parked vehicles may be in the
act of stealing a vehicle, the valuables inside, or both
- Persons entering or leaving a business establishment,
school, or church after hours could be burglars.
- The sound of breaking glass or any loud explosive
noise could mean an accident, burglary, or vandalism.
- Persons loitering around schools, parks, or secluded
areas could be sex offenders.
- Non-residents of a neighborhood observed loitering
could be burglars.
SUSPICIOUS EVENTS THAT APPEAR NORMAL
Although most strangers entering your neighborhood are
not criminals, you should still remain alert. There are legitimate reasons
for non-residents to be in you neighborhood. Letter carriers, repairmen, and
door-to-door salespersons, are seen and accepted. Criminals are aware of this
acceptance and often assume the guise of legitimate business representatives
to burglarize homes and stores. Check identification of all solicitors, meter
readers, delivery persons, and repairmen prior to permitting entry into your
home. Do not open the door. If in doubt, call the company before letting anyone
in, getting the number from telephone information, not from the person at
the door. Be Suspicious of an alleged delivery person with a wrong address
or asking fi someone else lives there.
Some less obvious to watch for are:
- Someone going door-to-door in neighborhood. Watch
for a short period of time. Take notice whether one or more persons tries
a door to see if it is locked, peeks into windows, or enters a side or back
yard. Any or all of thiese actions may indicate a possible burglar. Most
suspicious is when one person enters a backyard of a house, while the other
remains in the front, or in a car a short distance away. Call the police
immediately. Do not wait until the person leaves. Never under any circumstances
permit anyone to enter you home for the purpose of using the phone, regardless
of how friendly, polite, etc. If there is an emergency - offer to make the
call for the party. Avoid the possibility of being robbed, beaten, and or
assaulted.
- Human traffic to and from a certain residence: It
is not suspicious unless it occurs on a daily or regular basis; especially
during late or unusual hours. It could possibly be the scene of drug activities
or a stolen property fence operation.
- One or more juveniles walking casually throughout
the neighborhood looking into automobiles, backyards, etc.
- Anyone forcing entrance to and/or tampering with
a residence, business, building or vehicle.
- A person running, especially if carrying something
of value.
- Someone carrying property: If it is an unusual hour
or place, especially if the property is not wrapped as if it was just purchased.
If you see:
- A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms:
This could indicate injury, the influence of drugs, or someone needing medical
or psychiatric assistance.
- Any person casually walking through a backyard: They
may have broken into your neighbor's home.
- Any vehicle moving slowly without lights at night,
or following a course that appears aimless or repetitive in any location:
Occupants may be looking for places to rob or burglarize. If they are particularly
in areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds, they may be drug dealers or
sex offenders.
- Parked, occupied vehicles containing on or more persons:
If it is an unusual hour they could be possible lookouts for a burglary
in progress.
- Vehicles being loaded with valuables if parked in
front of a closed business, or unattended residence, even if the vehicle
is a legitimate looking commercial vehicle: More and more professional thieves
are customizing thier vehicles with special signs to move more freely without
suspicion.
- Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle,
especially around schools or parks: It could mean a possible drug sale.
Unusual heavy traffic in and out of a neighbors driveway, when the vehicles
are only staying a brief amount of time, could also be a possible drug operation.
- Persons being forced into vehicles, especially juveniles
or females: May indicate a possible kidnapping or abduction.
- An abandoned vehicle parked in your neighborhood:
May be a stolen car, or a vehicle belonging to someone burglarizing in the
area.
- Continuous repair operations at non-business locations:
Possibly stolen property is being stripped, repainted, or otherwise altered.
- Open or broken doors or windows, at a closed business
or residence: When owners are absent, could mean a burglary in progress
or already completed.
- A beam from a flashlight in a neighbor's home, especially if the residents are away: May be a burglary in progress.
- Persons wearing or carrying bloody clothing: Could
be either a suspect or victim or a serious crime or accident.
- Persons making a quick change of vehicles: May be
attempting to elude the police or abandoning stolen property.
Some of the suspicious situations described may have logical
and reasonable explanations and be completely innocent activities.
Regardless, the Louisa County Sheriff's Office would rather investigate a
crime-prone situation than be called when it is too late. Your call could
save a life, prevent an injury, or stop a criminal act. Be Alert.
Be a good neighbor........ Become Involved!
Louisa County Sheriff's Office.
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