Suspicious Activity 

What is Suspicious to the Modesto Police Department?

Summary of the Crime Prevention Unit brochure “What is Suspicious”

If you see a suspicious activity or person and/or don’t feel right call the police.  It could save a life, prevent an injury or stop a criminal act.  Don’t worry about bothering the police.  That is why they are here.  Don’t worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded.

The following information will help the police.  

What happened • When • Where • Is anyone injured • Description of person(s)
Description of vehicle  • Vehicle license plate • Direction of travel

How to Make a Report:

Dial 9-1-1 or Police non-emergency 209-552-2470

For Rank Security Patrol subscribers also call Rank Investigations dispatch 209-526-2025.

 Suspicious Persons

  • Persons going door to door and if they go into a back or side yard.  

  • Persons waiting in front of a house when you know the owners are away. (Let neighbors know when you leave for extended periods and Rank subscribers can request vacation checks.    

  • Forcing Entrance to or tampering with a residence or vehicle

  • Persons exhibiting unusual behavior (drugs/psychiatric) or physical symptoms (injured).

  • People carrying property at an unusual hour, or in an unusual location.

  • Also watch those on bicycles with backpacks. If they circle the neighborhood a few times they may be casing the area.  If they are out after dark they very well may be involved with graffiti.

  •  Heavy human traffic to and from a residence that occurs on a daily or very regular basis at late or unusual hours can possibly be vice, drug or fencing operations.

Suspicious Vehicles

  • Slow moving vehicles without lights on or driving aimless or repetitive.

  • Certain parked, occupied vehicles may contain one or more persons, especially suspicious if seen at an unusual hour.

  • Vehicles being loaded with valuables, especially if in front of an unattended residence.

  • Abandon vehicles not known to be regulars in the neighborhood.  Quite often these may be stolen vehicles.

Other Unusual Activity Involving Vehicles

  • Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, especially if around schools or parks. 

  • Persons being forced into a vehicle.

  • Objects thrown from a vehicle, especially while traveling at high speed.

Other Unusual Situations

  • Accumulation of large amounts of property in homes, private garages, storage areas.

  • Open or broken doors or windows.

  • Unusual noises such as gun shots, screaming, sounds of a fight, breaking glass or anything suggestive of foul play, danger, or illegal activity. 

Neighborhood Safety

It is suggested that you get to know your next door and across the street neighbors, have their phone numbers and watch each other’s homes when they are gone.   

For a  Neighborhood Watch program on your block. Contact Jennifer Slocum at slocumj@modestopd.com, 209-342-9127 for information. 

To download this information, click here.