MCCN Safety and Security Update: Report a Crime or Concern of Suspicious Behavior
Students, faculty, staff and visitors can help protect our community by learning to recognize and report suspicious activity. Prompt and detailed reporting can help prevent crimes or even terrorist attacks.
Suspicious behavior or activity can be any action that is out of place and does not fit into the usual day-to-day activity of our campus community. For example, you see someone looking into multiple vehicles or offices or testing to see if they are unlocked. On the other hand, perhaps you are worried about how your roommate has been acting differently or concerned about the behavior of a co-worker.
Do not hesitate. Even if you are unsure as to what is going on, the best thing to do is to let officers investigate. You may help prevent violence or theft. When the police catch someone in the act of breaking into a home or stealing something, it is not unusual for that person to be responsible for multiple other crimes. You should not worry about using up an officer’s time. The additional information will give police and security important data to identify trends and make decisions about when and where to deploy patrols.
It is important to remember, however, that it is a person’s behavior, not their race, religion or national origin, which may be suspicious.
Suspicious activities or behaviors may include but are not limited to.
- Wandering around campus areas attempting to open multiple doors
- Seeming nervous and looking over their shoulders
- Entering restricted areas when not authorized or following immediately behind others into card-access areas while the door is open
- Claiming to represent a utility company, but not wearing a uniform, does not produce identification upon request or does not have a company logo vehicle
- Carrying property at an unusual hour or location, especially if they are attempting to hide the item
- Using binoculars or other devices to peer into apartment and office windows
- Driving a vehicle slowly and aimlessly around campus
- Sitting in a vehicle for extended periods of time or conducting transactions from a vehicle
- Abruptly changing behavior when seen
- Dressing inappropriately for the weather or occasion (having a coat on when the temperature is warm, etc.)
- Leaving packages, bags or other items behind
- Exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms
- Unusual noises like screaming, yelling, gunshots or glass breaking
- Individuals in a heated argument, yelling or cursing at each other
In case of emergency, dial 9-1-1. Report suspicious behavior to MCCN security at 614.896.1489.
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