Beachwood Civic Association

Tips On Neighborhood Crime Prevention – Part 11

Mar 26, 2005

This is part of a continuing series of tips and safeguards for keeping your home and property safe, thanks to the Jacksonville Sheriff?’s Office.

Procedure for Reporting a Crime to Police
When reporting a crime, you should give the following information to police:
1. Identify yourself ?– name, address, phone number
2. Type of crime (burglary, assault, suspicious person or vehicle, etc.)
3. Crime in ?“progress?” or ?“has occurred.?”
4. Where? Be as specific as possible.
5. Description of suspect, whether armed, how many
6. Description of vehicle, tag number
7. Direction of travel

Terminology When Reporting Crimes
Burglary ?– breaking and entering a house or other structure

Robbery ?– (armed) the taking of some item (s) while a person is being threatened with a weapon (gun, knife, club, etc.)

Larceny ?– theft of property without forced entry

Assault ?– an intentional, unlawful threat by word o act to do violence to a person, coupled with an apparent ability to do so

Assault and Battery ?– physical assault of a person without the use of a weapon

Vehicle Description Reporting
In reporting the description of a suspicious vehicle in your neighborhood to police, try to supply the following information:
1. Color and color combinations (also vinyl top, convertible)
2. Size: large, medium or small
3. Identifying marks (tag number, dents, broken glass)
4. Direction of travel