Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility. The East Pennsboro Police are here to help prevent crime, but we need your help.

If you have information about a crime but do not want to reveal your identity our anonymous tip line can be contacted 24 hrs a day. call 717-732-3633. For additional information on contacting the Police Department, visit our ‘Contact Us’ page.

Please call the police immediately when you think you see suspicious activity or persons. Many people do not call because they worry about “bothering” the police. It is our job to investigate suspicious people and activities. Some people worry that they will be embarrassed if they are wrong about their suspicions. You should instead be thinking about what if you are right about your suspicions and you do not call. Others assume that someone else has already called the police.

Not every stranger is a criminal and some suspicious circumstances have a perfectly logical explanation. The East Pennsboro Police would rather investigate a potential criminal act and find nothing than be called after the fact and find that someone has been victimized. Your call could prevent a crime or an injury and possibly even save a life! The following is a list of things that may be considered suspicious.

• A stranger entering your neighbor’s home or property when the neighbor is not home.
• Screaming or shouting may signal a fight, robbery, rape, etc.
• Offers of merchandise at low prices could mean stolen property.
• A person removing car parts, license plates, or gasoline.
• A person looking into parked cars may be looking for a car to steal or for valuables.
• The sound of breaking glass or other loud explosive noises could mean an accident, break-in, or vandalism.
• Persons loitering around schools, parks, secluded areas, or in the neighborhood.
• Persons around the neighborhood who do not live there.
• Persons claiming to be representatives of utilities (gas, phone, water, electric, cable) but who are not in uniform or have no company identification.
• Persons going door-to-door in your neighborhood. Watch for a while, if they look into windows, appear to be trying doors to see if they are unlocked, or go to a side- or back-yard.
• A person loitering in front of a home or business is suspicious if the residents are away or if the business is closed.
• Anyone tampering with or forcing entry into a building or vehicle is suspicious anytime, anywhere.
• A person who is running and does not appear to be exercising, especially if carrying property.
• Simply carrying property may be regarded as suspicious if it is at an unusual hour, in an unusual place, if the person appears to be trying to conceal the property, or if the property is not wrapped as if it was just purchased.
• A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical behavior may be injured, under the influence of drugs and/or alcohol or in need of psychiatric help.
• Heavy foot traffic to and from a certain residence may indicate narcotics activity especially if it occurs on a regular basis during unusual hours.
• Any vehicle without lights at night, cruising slowly, or following a course that seems aimless or repetitive is suspicious in any location, but particularly so in areas of schools, parks, and playgrounds.
• Parked, occupied vehicles are worth noting, especially if seen at unusual hours. It could be a possible lookout for a crime, even if the occupants appear only to be lovers.
• Vehicles being loaded with valuables are suspicious if parked at a closed business or residence where the occupants are away, even if the vehicle appears to be a legitimate commercial unit. Professional thieves will often take the time and trouble to customize their vehicles with special signs in order to move freely without attracting attention and raising suspicion.
• Open or broken windows and doors at a home or business could mean a burglary still in-progress or already completed.
• Gunshots, screaming, the sounds of a fight, persons chasing others on foot or in cars, unusual barking of dogs – anything suggesting foul play, danger, disturbance of the peace, or criminal activity – should be reported.
• Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle, especially around schools or parks and if juveniles are involved, may be indicative of drug sales.
• Persons being forced into vehicles, especially if female and/or juvenile, may mean a possible kidnapping.
• The unfamiliar abandoned vehicle parked on your block may be stolen.

If you witness any suspicious circumstances similar to one of those listed above please give us a call. 717-732-3633