In most cases, "Yes." Many people hesitate about calling the Police Department even when faced with circumstances that, upon reflection, were highly suspicious. Some people think they are "bothering" us, some are not sure what they are seeing, but fortunately, only a few don't want to get involved.

Use the following guide, and your good common sense and judgement. There are highly trained and experienced communications personnel at the other end of the line to ask questions and help decide the right thing to do. For emergencies and crimes in progress, call us on 9-1-1, or from your cell phone, (650) 573-3333. Please use 650-286-3300 for non-emergency situations.

The following situations are inherently suspicious, and require your attention and immediate action by calling  9-1-1:

• Slow moving vehicles - Possible "casing" for a future crime, especially, if travelling with lights off at night, or if the course followed seems aimless and repetitive. This is suspicious in any location, but particularly so near schools, playgrounds, parks, or in large parking lots.
• Parked, occupied vehicles - Possible alcohol, narcotics, or sex crime in progress, especially in out-of-the-way places.
• Vehicles being loaded with valuable items - Possible burglary or theft, especially in front of closed business, late at night, or near an unoccupied residence.
• Abandoned, dirty, damaged vehicle - Possible stolen vehicle. In any case, abandoned vehicles are neighborhood blight and need to be tagged and removed.
• Vehicle containing weapons - Possible weapons violation. Be sure to tell police about the weapons.
• Persons attempting to enter a locked vehicle -
  Possible auto theft/ auto burglary in progress. If you see the window broken, almost a certain auto burglary.
• Persons tampering with vehicle, or removing parts - Possible auto tampering in progress, especially if late at night
• Persons loitering near a vehicle - Possibly "casing" the vehicle before breaking in to it.
• Business transactions; sales, being conducted from vehicles - Possible narcotics transaction in progress, or persons selling stolen goods, or conducting business without a license.
• Persons being forced into vehicles - Possible kidnapping or domestic violence in progress. Even if it appears to be parents dealing with a stubborn or recalcitrant child, let us make the determination. Be sure to get the vehicle description, license plate, and direction if the vehicle leaves by the time the officer arrives.
• Objects being thrown from vehicle - Possible dumping of contraband/ evidence/ littering
• Persons going door-to-door in residential area -
  Possible casing for theft or burglary; especially so if any of the people jump a fence or go into a back yard. It could also be a possible solicitation licensing violation. If you can, keep track of any vehicles associated with the people involved, and where they are. If anyone is rude, abusive, or threatening to you, make it a 9-1-1 call.
• Persons standing around in front of residence or business - Possible casing for a future crime; lookout for crime in progress.
• Forcing entry to residence or business - Possible burglary in progress
• Non-resident going into back or side yard -
  Possible burglary/ trespass in progress
• Person(s) going in through window - If not a known resident, almost a certain burglary in progress
• Person(s) running - Fleeing from a crime
• Persons carrying property - Possible theft in progress
• Persons loitering or acting in a strange or bizarre manner - Possible mental case/ under the influence of alcohol or drugs/ or waiting to commit a crime.
• Heavy human traffic coming and going to and from residence - Possible narcotic sales, or prostitution activity, especially if persons are strangers
• Person carrying any weapon or a concealed weapon -This is most likely a weapons violation, or someone about to commit a more serious crime. Off-duty or undercover police officers are specifically trained and experienced in keeping their weapons concealed at all times, and as a rule, clip their badge on their belt next to their weapon, use commercial holsters, and DO NOT keep weapons in their waistband. BE SURE to tell dispatch where the weapon is being concealed, and what the person is doing.
• Persons yelling, screaming, arguing, fighting - At the very least, a disturbance and disorderly conduct; quite possibly another more serious crime in progress (robbery, domestic violence, sexual assault). We'll ask you if there are any weapons visible, or any injuries to the people involved.

If you see any of these activities, please don't hesitate and ask yourself if you should be calling the police.Time is critical in each of these incidents.
                     We need you to call 9-1-1 immediately!
If you choose to have your information remain confidential, we can do that.