Crime Reporting:  Describing and Reporting of Events, Vehicle and Persons

Practicing to develop skills in providing quick, accurate descriptions is an excellent NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH meeting activity.  In attempting to describe events, vehicles or persons, write down the details of what you have observed while they are still fresh in your mind, so your descriptions to the Sheriff's Office will be as accurate as possible.

Describing Events
When describing events, write down as much detail:
l  WHAT happened
l  WHEN it happened
l  WHERE it occurred (note the nearest cross street, home address, or landmark in relationship to the event)
l  Whether injuries are involved (Be prepared to report visible or suspected personal injury.  Be as specific as possible - this could save a life!)
l  Whether weapons are involved (this information, whether observed or suspected is vital to the responding deputies)

Describing Vehicles
When describing vehicles, write down as much detail:
l   Vehicle license number and state, make and type of vehicle, color, and approximate age
l   Special designs or unusual features, such as a convertible top, mag wheels, body damage, pinstripes, etc.
l   Direction of travel
l   Number of occupants and a description

Describing of Persons
In preparing descriptions of persons, it is important to write down the following:
l   Sex
l   Race
l   Age
l   Height (estimate from eye contact level measured against your height)
l   Weight
l   Hair (color and length)
l   Hat
l   Facial hair (beard/mustache)
l   Shirt/tie, style and color
l   Coat/Jacket, style and color
l   Pants, style and color
l   Shoes, style and color
l   Any peculiar or distinguishable mannerisms, physical disabilities, disfigurations, scars or tattoos
l   Vice characteristics
l   Direction of movement