How Do You Become A Good Witness?
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Why should I report to police? Facts |
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OBSERVE. RECORD. REPORT.
For an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911 immediately.
To report suspicious activity, call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line:
403-266-1234.
The Calgary Police Service also offers a 24-hour Hearing Impaired non-emergency line:
403-538-6147.
AMA and the Calgary Police Service bring an exciting online learning experience to you as part of our commitment to crime prevention.
With Calgary’s growing population, police simply cannot be everywhere all of the time. Calgarians are the eyes and ears police rely on – and it is important we all work together to prevent crime and keep Calgary a safe place to live and play.
This program is an education tool made available to the public so they may learn what to look for when witnessing events, and how to report information to police.
In addition to information on our website, there is a dynamic online game that allows players to hone their witnessing skills and learn more about what police are looking for.
Don’t roll the dice when it comes to keeping our city safe; however, DO roll the dice to play our online “Be a Good Witness” game. Click on the image above labeled “Take our Challenge.”
Why should I report to police?
- With Calgary’s growing population, police simply cannot be everywhere all of the time. Calgarians are the eyes and ears police rely on – and it is important we all work together to prevent crime and keep Calgary a safe place to live and play.
- When you come forward to report a crime to the police, you may be taking the first step in helping to prevent further crimes and to protect others from experiencing the same thing.
- There is a better chance of police arresting a person and charging them with the offence if police are called as soon as possible.
- Remember, investigations do take time, and your input is invaluable.
- Reporting crime can give you an opportunity to deal with the harm done to you or others.
- You or someone else may need protection from the person who committed the crime – calling police is vital in ensuring you’re safety.
- Never underestimate the power of the information you have. Something as simple as reporting a suspicious person running down the street, or part of the license plate and colour of a vehicle driving around in your neighbourhood could be the missing piece needed to solve a crime.
- If in doubt, check it out. If something you have seen seems suspicious, but is not a crime in progress, call the police non-emergency line at 403-266-1234 and let them know what you have seen. (The Calgary Police Service also offers a 24-hour Hearing Impaired Line: 403-538-6147). Always call 911 for an emergency.
Being a good witness is an active process that requires you to continually ask yourself what you are seeing.
Always be on the lookout for:
- Suspicious people or activities
- Vehicles passing numerous times or suspiciously parked
- Strangers in your neighbourhood
- Listen for yelling or screaming – it could indicate fights or domestic/child abuse
If you're watching an unusual vehicle, take note of:
- Year, make and model
- Colour
- License plate #
- Number of occupants
- Body damage, bumper stickers or decals.
- Direction of travel (which street was it parked/driving along when you last saw it)
If you see a person acting suspiciously, take note of:
- Age and gender
- Ethnicity and build
- Height and weight
- Hair colour and length
- Face shape and/or facial hair
- Eye colour and shape
- Clothing type and colour
Partial observations are also important and can help establish time, location and number of people involved in an incident.
OBSERVE. RECORD. REPORT.
For an emergency or a crime in progress, call 911 immediately.
To report suspicious activity, call the Calgary Police Service non-emergency line:
403-266-1234.
The Calgary Police Service also offers a 24-hour Hearing Impaired non-emergency line:
403-538-6147.
Remember everything you can. The 911 communications officer will ask you questions such as:
- What happened? How long ago?
- Where?
- How many people were involved?
- How would you describe those people? Did they say anything?
- Were they armed with any weapons?
- Did they leave the scene on foot or in a vehicle?
- Which direction were they travelling?
Alternatively, you may submit an ANONYMOUS tip to Crime Stoppers
TALK: 1-800-222-8477 TYPE: www.tttTIPS.com TEXT: "tttTIPS" to 274637
Updated: Wednesday, August 24, 2011 9:46 AM