|
The RTPD's
24-hour number for non-emergency
calls and general information is
(973)
625-4000.
Crimes and suspicious activities
that fall into this category
are: (a) those that don't
involve serious personal injury,
property damage, or property
loss; (b) ones in which there is
no possibility that the suspect
is still at the scene or is
likely to return to the scene;
and (c) ones for which an
immediate response is not
needed. If there is any doubt as
to whether the situation is an
emergency, it is always better
to be on the safe side and call
9-1-1.
The
RTPD
response to non-emergency calls
will depend on the relative
seriousness or priority of the
situation, the likelihood of
making an arrest at the scene,
and the availability of an
officer. Response times are the
longest for so-called "cold
crimes" like home burglaries
where the perpetrator has fled
the scene, no suspects exist,
and the victim is in no further
danger.
Some
example situations that may not
be emergencies are:
-
Home and business burglaries
in which the suspect is gone
from the scene
-
Open or broken doors or
windows in businesses or
homes, especially if the
business is closed or the
residents are away
-
Stolen checks and credit
cards -- also call the
financial institutions
involved to have them stop
payments of checks and
verifications of charges
-
Impersonation and stolen
identification, e.g.,
drivers license
-
Auto theft and vandalism
-
Hit and run accidents with
no injuries
-
Minors violating curfew
-
Loud parties -- the person
calling must be willing to
sign a complaint
-
Road hazards that don't
require immediate attention
-
Past instances of graffiti
or other vandalism
-
Past instances of child or
elder abuse
-
Runaway juvenile or missing
adult who does not need
special care
-
Car or building alarms
-
Underage drinking
-
Accumulations of consumer
goods, especially in good
condition and not in use in
homes, garages, and storage
areas
Persons who are:
-
Disturbing the peace, i.e.,
loitering, panhandling,
noise making, and harassing
others
-
Going door-to-door, or into
side or back yards in a
residential area
-
Loitering near a business or
home, especially if the
business is closed or the
residents are away
-
Loitering near schools or
parks
-
Looking into parked vehicles
-
Running other than for
exercise
-
Carrying property at an
unusual time and place
-
Entering and leaving
property on daily or regular
basis, or in large numbers,
especially at night
-
Drunk in public but not in
any immediate danger
-
Exhibiting unusual mental or
physical symptoms but not a
danger to themselves or
others
-
Offering goods for sale at
ridiculously low prices
-
Making a quick change of
vehicles
The
ability of the police to locate
and arrest criminals often
depends on the thoroughness and
accuracy of the report you
submit. The following
information checklist should be
used for reporting both
emergency and non-emergency
crimes:
-
Type of crime
-
Location: exact street
address and nearest cross
street
-
Time of occurrence
-
Weapons used
-
Number of persons injured
and types of injuries
-
Vehicle information: type,
license number, color, year,
make, model, unusual
characteristics (e.g.,
dents, bumper stickers),
number of persons, etc.
-
Suspect information: race,
gender, age, height, weight,
hair color, hair length and
style, eye color, facial
hair, clothing type and
color, other characteristics
(e.g., tattoos, missing
teeth, scars, glasses),
direction of flight, etc.
|
