What Is Suspicious?

Below is from a handout from the Fairfax County Police Department on Neighborhood Safety. The police will tell you again and again – when in doubt – Call the Police regarding anything believed to be suspicious.

Call the Police
• Your call is always important
• Allows for follow up and case closure
• We want you to call

What is Suspicious?
Vehicle You Don’t Recognize
• Any vehicle you see driving repeatedly on the same day or different days
• A vehicle driving slowly through the neighborhood
• A vehicle dropping off or picking up person(s)
• An unoccupied vehicle parked on the street or in a driveway
• A vehicle parked – a person walks away from it down the street, out of sight
Person You Don’t Know
• Any person you see walking on the street
• A person knocking on the door
• Any person walking around your home or your neighbor’s home
• A person being dropped off or picked up
• A person sitting in a parked car
• A person who walks away from a parked vehicle, down the street, out of sight
Noises
• Gunshots
• Screams
• Glass breaking
• Knocks at the door – nobody there
• Anything around your house or your neighbor’s house
• Dogs barking for no apparent reason
• Car motor – racing, at idle, etc.
• Voices – unusual conversations among people you can’t see
Remember!
• Best Witness Rule
– Be observant
– Write it down
– Carry your cell phone
– Do not approach anyone suspicious
– Call the police

You are not the Police
You are our best help!
Franconia District Crime Prevention Office
MPO Jim Nida
703-922-8263
James.nida@fairfaxcounty.gov