But what exactly is "suspicious" to an officer?
As a Texas peace officer, I have heard many comrades stop "suspicious vehicle" and "suspicious persons" on several occasions. I have also heard our Dispatch Broadcast calls from citizens about "suspicious" activities in their neighborhood. That being said, as the Austin area criminal defense, I have never personally engaged in one of these "suspicious person is no longer, as I do not think it was legal. This may be morea personal faith than anything else, because I know that officers legally authorized to "stopped" suspicious "person and vehicle and I also know that the officers like any other," may stop and talk "to one person .. . and that person may simply ignore the officer and walk away. But I have put together myself of what may be "suspicious" and the following list, but can generally anything a little out of line for a particular area seems to be a certain time of day signal thought criminalActivity. This initial list is, what would I consider "too obvious" suspicious "activities, and I have no problem in stopping these kinds of people:
A stranger entering your neighbor's house or apartment, if not the neighbor's home.
Crying or screaming can be a fight, robbery, rape, etc. Signal
Offers of goods at ridiculously low prices could mean stolen property.
Person removing car parts, license plates, or gasoline as suspicious.
A person who parked inCars to steal on the lookout for a car, or for valuables left in plain view inside.
Persons entering or leaving a business after hours can be burglars.
The sound of braking glass or other loud explosive noises could mean an accident, burglary or vandalism.
People strolling around schools, parks, secluded areas, or may in the neighborhood sex offenders are able to as a "shell" for crime, or may also serve as a lookout tower.
People in the neighborhood who do not live therecould be burglars.
Persons who may see themselves as representatives of utilities (gas, telephone, water, electricity, cable), but not in uniform or have no business name burglars.
Those who manipulate or force entry into a building or vehicle.
Open or broken windows and doors in a house or business.
Shots, screams, the sounds of battle, blow up other people on foot or in cars, unusual barking of dogs - all suggested foul play, danger, disturbance ofPeace, or criminal activity.
Any vehicle without lights at night, cruising slowly, or following a course that seems aimless or repetitive is suspicious in any location, especially in areas of schools, parks and playgrounds.
Apparent transactions carried out by a vehicle, especially around schools or parks and if young people are involved.
People are forced into the vehicles.
A person who has unusual mental or physical behavior can be violated under the influencedrugs and / or alcohol, or in need of psychiatric help.
These are anything but clear "suspicious activity":
Not every stranger who comes near you, is a criminal and they can have a perfectly legitimate reason for their activity. Have you ever seen a new type of car and wanted to read in its interior, so you looked through a window while walking past? Or maybe you're on a walk, tired and in a bus stopped to rest his hand, notintending to take the bus. The following are some situations that you see and what they might mean, but they rise to the level of "suspicious" that the officers should be involved?
A person strolling in front of a house or business if the occupants are away, or if the transaction is closed.
A person is executed and does not seem to be exercising, especially if the implementation of property.
A person claiming ownership of an unusual hour, in an unusual place when the person appears to beattempt to conceal the property, or if the property is not packaged as if they were just bought.
Heavy foot traffic to and provide for a specific drug can stay, activities, or a "fence" operation (buying and selling of stolen property), if, on a regular basis.
On-going vehicle "repair" operations on a non-location.
Parked vehicles are staffed worth mentioning, especially when seen at odd hours.
The unknown abandoned park your vehicle onto block.
While some, if not all of the above suspicious circumstances could explain logically and correctly, are officers that they would rather investigate a potential criminal situation, and find nothing than to be known as described, after it's already too late and someone has to victims. While this is a worthy goal, it is critical that officials do not forget that this is a free society and that what may be unusual, it is not out of the ordinary for someonedifferent.
The first list above, is one that I, too, like an Austin criminal defense lawyers and will agree not question an investigation by police. However, while I was a uniformed officer myself, I asked the station with other officers from this second list, and sometimes feel upset that people would call on activities such as this report.
I want each of these lists in order to explain my position and argument address. In relation to the personStrolling in front of a closed shop or a house if the occupants are away, is the first question that I 'is where the man? " If the "suspicious" person on the sidewalk, this is not a public space where everyone has the right to be at any time? However, if the person peering into windows or rattling of the door, then it is contained in the first list. But complicating the matter further. If the person stands on the lawn, is that suspicious? I think a stronger case is that itfor trespassing could now be involved, but if the landscaping is part of a public parking lot, that does not change the facts and make it less suspicious?
The second is running on the list, while obviously not the exercise (especially if) the implementation of property. What is not exercise of course? " Perhaps the runner is not able to afford the latest workout gear and running into something that would not take many of us. But that does not make it suspect. Now, to the remark on the ownership, was ...Type of property? Most people run properly with an iPod, cell phone or other personal device? Does the suspect present? I admit that if someone on the street running with a DVD player, which worked a bit more suspicious and out of place, but honestly for me is that never in the nearly three years passed, I as an officer.
The third element in the list is a collection of several "suspicious" actions. Without going into detail, I think we can all agreethat common sense is what is needed here. When we unpacked an item is not everything, what is purchased "new" and not every purchase is packed in a box. The most difficult thing for me is what is the "unusual place and time?" If the person is working different hours than most people do, and is off something in the night, because that is his plan, which makes it "unusual"?
The 4th Point is relatively straightforward. Yes all, heavy pedestrian traffic evidencethe ongoing criminal activities, but depending on where it is, can not, for example, a house near a school or on campus, "Sorority Row" ... doubtful. A house with young people who live in it, that in the vicinity of their school or are very active members of various social organizations, probably not. Bottom line, do not try to overly inquisitive busy-bodied neighbor, which is always throwing stones at someone else and not your own business ....
The motor vehicle repair point has disturbed me greatly.Yes, it could be a homeowners association, the rule violation, but that is not criminal. Chop shops are not to be in the outdoors. They will be hidden when people know only to them about their situation, and it is questionable whether a deal goes hack to the front, as a mechanic business in the middle of a neighborhood. Just because someone can not afford to rent a room in a business district for a mechanics shop, does not mean that they are engaging in illegal activities. If this is reallyBothers you should be filing a complaint against this harassment, but with the demand of law enforcement officers only in bad taste are too busy running around to calls like this!
Finally, I would like to combine the last two points: the parked, abandoned the vehicle and the parked vehicle occupied, which is seen in "unusual" hour. Again, I would like to what is "unusual" ... but an application of common sense should be able to concentrate this protection. And when it comes to people "parking" ... Please obtain aLife. Or, if it is offensive, it must of itself, why do you think of how the "moral police" and get into their business?
Finally, I appreciate what officers do, as I also worked in the field for almost three years. But now that I'm an Austin criminal defense, I ask some of the actions of other officers, and I did this when I was there ... this is probably going one of the reasons that I wanted. Finally, I think it is much better free for the 100 guilty people go than an innocentare arrested.
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