Suspicious Person

[jmra]

Didn't know where to put this but thought I would try here.

There has been a lot of discussion/criticism about Zimmermans depiction of Martin as a suspicious person. I was wondering how you (the members of this forum) would define a suspicious person and under what circumstances you would call police/911 to report such a person.

[speedsix]

...someone who was on private property doing something like looking into windows or over a fence...or trying to gain entry...
...someone who was behaving in a manner that suggested intoxication or mental imbalance,with anger present...
...someone who was unusually nervous/looking over their shoulder a lot...acting as though they didn't belong where they were...
...someone circling the block several times, or sitting parked where they could watch children at play...
...someone at my door for no good reason, or without a solicitation permit displayed when they knocked...

[bayouhazard]

Behaviors and things that are out of place raise suspicion. When I used to travel a lot I got picked for extra screening a few times until I figured it out. Being visably aware of my surroundings made me look suspicious to the TSA. Concealng it from them put a stop to that.

[mamabearCali]

...someone who was on private property doing something like looking into windows or over a fence...or trying to gain entry...
...someone who was behaving in a manner that suggested intoxication or mental imbalance,with anger present...
...someone who was unusually nervous/looking over their shoulder a lot...acting as though they didn't belong where they were...
...someone circling the block several times, or sitting parked where they could watch children at play...
...someone at my door for no good reason, or without a solicitation permit displayed when they knocked...

This excepting the last one. We don't have those here.


Edit:

Been educated by speed six...we do have solicitors permits here....thank you so much!

[speedsix]

...PM...

[hi-power]

...someone who was on private property doing something like looking into windows or over a fence...or trying to gain entry...
...someone who was behaving in a manner that suggested intoxication or mental imbalance,with anger present...
...someone who was unusually nervous/looking over their shoulder a lot...acting as though they didn't belong where they were...
...someone circling the block several times, or sitting parked where they could watch children at play...
...someone at my door for no good reason, or without a solicitation permit displayed when they knocked...

Back before I wised up, I used to watch for these things as a volunteer in my small city. There's hardly any random violent crime - it's always family stuff - but with a huge mall and many restaurants there are plenty of vehicle thefts and burglaries. We were not allowed to carry firearms, pepper spray or even knives other than a small pocket knife. We had a radio and a cell phone. Our job was to observe and report.

I spent most of my time driving through parking lots, (restaurants, Bass Pro, Grapevine Mills Mall, Great Wolf Lodge, the lake, etc.), and watching for people near cars. If I saw anyone suspicious I would observe them until I either figured out what they were doing, or they walked or drove away. There was never a thought of walking up to someone to ask what they were up to. If I couldn't figure it out by watching, it remained a mystery. I saw a few people that looked suspicious but not enough to call in to report. I never witnessed anyone doing anything illegal. When I spoke with someone it was because they needed help, (needed directions, had a dead battery, had a flat tire).

It took me a little while to realize that being unarmed in a car that looked like a real police car and snooping around areas that were "active" was not real smart. I worried that I would drive around a corner and surprise an armed criminal. All I had for weapons was a 1.5-ton car and a maglite.

All of our volunteers had the same mindset as I outlined above regarding observe and report with the possible exception of one. He was caught and kicked out for carrying a stun-gun. I did not know him and never spoke with him. I don't know if he didn't receive the correct training, or if he did, if he ignored the part about NO WEAPONS. For all I know he might be a wannabe cop. But most likely he just decided he needed a little protection. I finally decided the same thing, but since it isn't allowed I just stopped doing it. Problem solved.

I don't know what training, if any, George Zimmerman received as a Neighborhood Watch volunteer. If he had any and if he followed it, we would not be talking about him today. I am 100% sure that if he had any contact with a police officer as part of a NW program, he was told never to approach a suspicious person - to observe and report only.

[speedsix]

...on Page one of Sanford's NW handbook...and they're sponsored by Sanford PD...not a matter of not knowing...just not doing...

...I agree with you on your reasons for quitting...if they can't trust me to be armed, why would they trust my judgement...so I haven't involved myself...I still observe and report what's suspicious...same difference...

[A-R]

According to Zimmerman's account to police, he WAS NOT PATROLLING FOR NW OR ANYTHING ELSE at the time this incident occured. He was on his way to/from the grocery store. I doubt NW "rules" prohibit a licensed individual from carrying under those circumstances.

One of many early-reported "facts" that is now very likely WRONG but still perpetuates in the discussion.

[speedsix]

According to Zimmerman's account to police, he WAS NOT PATROLLING FOR NW OR ANYTHING ELSE at the time this incident occured. He was on his way to/from the grocery store. I doubt NW "rules" prohibit a licensed individual from carrying under those circumstances.

One of many early-reported "facts" that is now very likely WRONG but still perpetuates in the discussion.

...that will probably be settled by GJ perception...they may hold him to a higher standard because he was NW and had been taught not to contact or confront suspicious people...only report...or if they feel you can lay that down and behave as a free spirit just because you're not on an official tour...the carrying of his weapon was minor in importance compared to initiating a conversation with/following a suspect on foot...the gun was his hammer...violating other rules were the nails...
...honestly, did he approach the victim humbly and respectfully and speak the same, or boldly and officiously...with an air of authority...that's going to be a hard call on the GJ's part...

...WE'VE DONE IT AGAIN... apologies to OP and back to what we judge to be suspicious in a person who we're observing...

[mamabearCali]

Hi-power I don't look for people actively. If I notice something seriously awry I watch and call the police. I can count on one hand the number of times I have done this.

What do y'all think? Should we as responsible citizens be actively keeping an eye out for suspicious things. Or should we just just be as situationally aware as possible and if something stands out take notice. I tend to side with the latter, but I know when there were home invasions going on in the neighborhood 2 miles from us I watched a whole lot more carefully until they were caught.

[speedsix]

...most people know the difference between looking at trouble and looking for trouble...those who don't stir up a lot of schtuff..

[Ameer]

Remember Federico Freire?

[WildBill]

Remember Federico Freire?

Nope.

[Jumping Frog]

Remember Federico Freire?

For those who don't: http://www.amnation.com/vfr/archives/018268.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;