How to be a good witness!
Sometimes as law enforcement officers we get frustrated with how little information we receive from the victims of crime. We are amazed that victims overlook so much obvious evidence. But come to think of it, the reason for this is hopefully you do not have a lot of experience being a victim! So with that thought in mind, let me help get you trained the painless way!
If you have witnessed or are witnessing a crime in progress, try to remain calm and remember the most important detail is LOCATION. The responders can’t help if they don’t know where you are. Please give your address and the address of the crime, including lot number.
Be prepared to tell the dispatcher what happened or is happening! Was it a crime or an accident? Is anyone injured? Is medical assistance necessary? Are/were any weapons involved? If so what kind of weapon(s)? Where is the weapon now?
Is the suspect still there and do you know them? What do they look like? The dispatcher should prompt you for a general physical description such as race, height, weight, hair color and clothing the suspect is wearing. Don’t worry if you don’t know the answers to all of these questions, but do try and answer the ones you can!
If the suspect left, try to get a direction of travel. Did they leave on foot or in a vehicle? If they left in a vehicle, try to get a description of the vehicle including the LICENSE PLATE.
Dispatchers try to keep people on the phone while a crime is occurring whenever possible. Your eyewitness accounting of what is occurring is better then a video camera for the responders!
Hopefully these hints will assist you in helping us provide you with a safe community!
Bill
Pentagon Properties is proud of its safe communities and of the fine service Bill provides.