Crime prevention is a shared responsibility, and the Upper Allen Police Department is here to help keep our community safe. We can do our best work when we have your help. Your observations and willingness to report suspicious activity are crucial in preventing crime and ensuring everyone’s safety.
When to Call the Police
Many people hesitate to call us, worrying they might be “bothering” the police, feel embarrassed if their suspicions are wrong, or assume someone else has already called. Please know that it’s our job to investigate suspicious people and activities, and we’d much rather investigate a potential situation and find nothing than respond after a crime has occurred. Your call could prevent a crime, an injury, or even save a life!
While not every unusual circumstance is a crime, and some have perfectly logical explanations, we encourage you to call us immediately when you see something that just doesn’t feel right.
What to Look For: Signs of Suspicious Activity
The key is to pay attention to behavior and context that seems out of place. Here’s a list of things that may be considered suspicious:
Unusual Presence:
- A stranger entering a neighbor’s home or property when they are clearly not home.
- People loitering around schools, parks, secluded areas, or in your neighborhood who don’t appear to live there or have a clear purpose.
- People going door-to-door, especially if they look into windows, try doors to see if they are unlocked, or go into side or back yards.
- A person loitering in front of a home or business when residents are away or the business is closed.
Property & Vehicle Concerns:
- Individuals tampering with or forcing entry into a building or vehicle, anytime or anywhere.
- Someone removing car parts, license plates, or siphoning gasoline.
- A person looking into parked cars, potentially searching for a vehicle to steal or valuables.
- Vehicles driving without lights at night, cruising slowly, or following an aimless or repetitive course, especially near schools, parks, or playgrounds.
- Parked, occupied vehicles at unusual hours that seem out of place.
- Vehicles being loaded with valuables from a closed business or residence where occupants are away, even if the vehicle looks legitimate. Professional thieves often use disguised vehicles.
- An unfamiliar abandoned vehicle parked on your block that seems out of place.
Unusual Sounds or Disturbances:
- Screaming or shouting that may signal a fight, robbery, or other disturbance.
- The sound of breaking glass or other loud, explosive noises that could indicate an accident, break-in, or vandalism.
- Gunshots, the sounds of a physical fight, or people chasing others on foot or in cars.
- Unusual barking of dogs that persists.
Unusual Behavior:
- Someone running at an unusual hour or in an unusual place, especially if carrying property that appears to be concealed or not recently purchased.
- Individuals exhibiting unusual mental or physical behavior, who may be injured, under the influence, or in need of help.
- Heavy foot traffic to and from a specific residence, particularly if it occurs regularly during unusual hours, which might suggest narcotics activity.
- People claiming to be representatives of utilities (gas, phone, water, electric, cable) but lacking a uniform or company identification.
- Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, especially around schools or parks and if juveniles are involved, which may indicate drug sales.
- Persons being forced into vehicles, which may mean a possible kidnapping.
- Offers of merchandise at unusually low prices, which could mean stolen property.
- Open or broken windows and doors at a home or business, indicating a possible burglary in progress or recently completed.
How to Report Suspicious Activity
If you witness any suspicious circumstances similar to those listed above, please give us a call.
- >For immediate police response in an emergency or if a crime is in progress, always call 911.
- For non-emergencies or to report suspicious activity that isn’t actively occurring, please call the Upper Allen Police Department at 717-795-2445.
- If you have information about a crime but wish to remain anonymous, you can contact our anonymous tip line 24 hours a day at 717-850-UAPD (8273). You can also submit a tip online: https://upperallenpolice.com/wp/forms/submit-a-tip/
Your vigilance helps us keep our community safe. We appreciate your partnership in preventing crime!
