NCJ Number
212946
Journal
Police: The Law Enforcement Magazine Volume: 29 Issue: 12 Dated: December 2005 Pages: 18-20,22,24
Date Published
December 2005
Length
5 pages
Annotation
This article provides practical advice to police officers on tactics to use in answering a "prowler" call effectively and safely.
Abstract
Many times each day, citizens call police to investigate their suspicion that an unknown person ("prowler") is on their property. Although responding officers seldom find any threatening person, they should still approach each prowler call as though the danger is real. Upon arriving at the scene, officers should inform the dispatcher, and the dispatcher should call the complainant to inform him/her that officers are on the scene and will come to the front door. When approaching the vicinity of the call, officers should look for suspicious pedestrians or cars leaving the scene. Officers should park their car a distance from the caller's house. They should then approach the scene quietly, announce their presence to the caller at the front door, and then begin a careful search of the premises. This article provides a detailed description of how to conduct such a search. Suggestions include searching in possible hiding places, such as around shrubbery; under, behind, and inside stacked objects such as boxes and lawn and garden furniture; and under and inside vehicles, boats, and campers. If there are signs that a prowler is present but is not found in the initial search, repeat the search or bring in a search dog. Also, remain in the car for a period of time to see if a prowler emerges from hiding. If the dispatcher indicates the prowler is attempting to enter the house or has already done so, then sirens should be on when entering the area in order to frighten the prowler into ceasing any aggression against the potential victim.