ntiCrime N - PDF document

S uburban P olice A nti-Crime N etwork Drug Enforcement Unit Like many communities throughout the United States, Lyndhurst and the Hillcrest area face a growing battle against drugs. The police can't solve this problem alone. Success requires community involvement. It is importaIt's often hard to be certain that what ugs, but some patterns may indicate drug activity: An unusually large amount of traffic comes to the house or apartment building — strange hours. Visitors may sometimes pound only a short time. Sometimes they don't even go in at all; instead, someone comes out to meet them. etc.) in the area. Repeated, observable exchanges of items, especially where money is visible. Noxious odors coming from around the houses or buildings, such as "musty" smells. Houses or buildings where extreme security measures seem to have been taken. imary renter is apparent, and no home activities — yard work, painting, maintenance, etc. — seem to go on. How to Report Drug Activity Don't assume the police already know about the activity, or that a neighbor will call. Don't assume one report is alactivity are encouraged to report. S u

burban P olice A nti-Crime N etwork Drug Enforcement Unit immediately — can be reported by calling one of the following numbers. You can for activity in progress. to report activity directly to the narcotics unit. to report activity via email to the narcotics unit. You can report activity anonymously, but it is more helpful if you will give your name and telephone number in case other information is needed. Your name will be kept confidential if requested What the Police Would Like to Know What makes you think drugs are being sold? Which drugs are involved? Have ity before? If so, when? What is the address where the drug activluding the apartment number), or the closest intersection? family home, business, apartment)? Where on the property is the drug activity taking place (e.g., at the front door, out the back window, in the alley, etc.)? What is the pattern of activity (times ofom which direction do they come; how do they leave)? Keepincluding date and time, can help identifcrimes associated with the operation (eincreased burglaries, etc.)? Do you know the name and address of the property owner? Do you know the name

(s) of the person(s) suspected of dealing? What do the suspected dealer(s) look like (sex, age, race, height, weight, build, al hair, complexion, eyewear, distinctive clothing, etc.)? Be as specific as S uburban P olice A nti-Crime N etwork Drug Enforcement Unit dealer(s) drive (make, model, year, two-door or four-door, license number, licensefeatures)? What do the "customers" look like (typical sex, age, race, clothing style)? A detailed description of each buyer isn't necessary, but an overview would be stomer's cars? License numbers alone won't result in an arrest orHow many people live in the house? Are Any dogs? What kind? How many? Are there bars or any other types of reinforcements on the house windows and doors? What kind? Where? Any alarm or security systems? What kind? Have you seen any weapons? What kind? How many? What Happens After You Make a Report? Officer ResponseWhen you report drug activity, an officer willHowever, drug transactions seldom involvebystanders, and crimes that endanger someone are often completed before an officer can arrive. Not Sufficient for an ArrestCitizen reports are not usually the

primary juon only your testimony isn't justified. Since ning and experience must make their own observations and collect evidence the courts will accept. Arrests can't be made just because someone says they saw a drug deal. One reason is that a significant number of such complaints misinterpret what they see. Sometimes it happens because the drug complaint is revenge for other neighborhood problems. Both your rights and those of other people have to be protected in the process of spotting drug S uburban P olice A nti-Crime N etwork Drug Enforcement Unit Your reports are still very important. Even though they can't be used as the direct ey let the police know there's a problem, and they provide a our land, police can't stop or investigatIf sufficient cause can be confirmed, a written request is made to a magistrate for a search warrant for the house or building. Residents who possess drugs will be arrested. The court may release them on bail, however, and they may returnwhile they await trial, but most dealers moverty may be confiscated by the government, and forcement agencies to be used for drug enforcement activities