Reporting Suspicious Activity to OPD: A How-To Guide

The Oakland Police Department is asking local residents and merchants to report suspicious activity or persons in the area — and providing some tips and tools to help you provide the most useful information.

Here's a look at some of their suggestions:

—Use the OPD's non-emergency number, (510) 777-3333, to report any suspicious behavior and suspicious vehicles parked or driving in your neighborhood or area of business. Callers can opt not to provide their name and number and remain anonymous.

—If a crime is in progress, call 911 or the OPD emergency seven-digit number, (510) 777-3321. From cell phones call the seven-digit number; it's useful to have this number stored on your cell phone.

—Be as specific and detailed as possible when providing descriptions of suspects or vehicles. For example, says Patricia Rose, the OPD's neighborhood services coordinator, "Male black, thin build, 5’6”, wearing glasses, blue jeans, red jacket, diamond earring in the right ear," is more useful than "Male black with dark clothes driving a red car." Clothing, hairstyle, height, approximate weight, age and gender are all useful information for the police.

—When reporting suspicious vehicles, try to include color, make and model of the vehicle, the number of doors and the license plate number (even if a partial number).

—See the attached PDF for an OPD form that suggests more useful details in descriptions.

What Kind of Suspicious Activity Should You Report?

Here's what the OPD says:

Suspicious person: A suspicious person is anyone who loiters in your neighborhood, place of business or someone going door-to-door. The person may be male or female dressed in any manner, of any age, race, color or cultural background.

Possible drug activity: Frequent visitors coming and going from a particular house, apartment or street corner especially at odd hours on a daily or regular basis could indicate illegal drug activity. You can call the drug hotline, (510) 238-DRUG, to report what you have observed. Your information will be recorded on an answering machine. You do not have to leave your name or address. Hotline messages are reviewed daily.

Suspicious vehicle: Record the license plate number and/or description of any unfamiliar cars parked in your neighborhood and alert your neighbors. Be alert for cars cruising or circling you block. They may be driven by a burglar looking for any easy targets or opportunity. Frequent car traffic/occupant visits for short periods of time to a house, apartment or street corner could indicate drug activity. 

Stranger at the door: Never invite a stranger into your home without asking for identification, even if the person is dressed in a company uniform. Ask all salespersons and repair people for their identification. Call the company to verify if you did not personally request their service.

• Do not accept the phone number they give you, look it up in your telephone book or call information.

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