When should I call the Police?

The battle against crime is the combined efforts of police and citizens. Because police cannot be omnipresent – all places, all times – the Cold Spring Police Department is dependent on citizen cooperation in the fight against crime. Many crimes could be prevented if more citizens would be alert for suspicious activity and take appropriate measures to notify police.

When should I call the police?

If you observe suspicious activity, even though you may not be the only witness, take the initiative and call the Police. Do not rely on someone else to act – this may never happen. You could be the only caller, and crimes are often deterred by police questioning the individuals seen lurking in or repeatedly traveling through areas.

Many people fail to act because they are no sure if what they are observing is worth reporting. When in doubt, call the Police immediately. Don’t lose precious time discussing the event with friends or neighbors first.

How Do I Report a Crime?

If you suspect that a crime is being or is about to be committed, please contact the Cold Spring Police Department at (320) 685-8666 or call 9-1-1. You need not give your name. However, if you want a police officer to contact you, give your name, address, and telephone number and advise the Emergency Communications Technician (the call taker) that you would like to meet with an officer. When given to the Cold Spring Police, this information is kept confidential.

What is suspicious activity?

• A stranger around your neighbor’s house or a strange vehicle parked near your neighbor’s home.

• The sound of breaking glass.

• Anyone peering into vehicles or removing tags, gasoline, or auto parts.

• An improperly parked car, or a parked car with someone in it who seems out of place.

• Someone carrying property such as TVs, stereos, or tools that can used to break into homes

• Apparent business transactions conducted from a vehicle or street corner.

• A constant flow of strangers to and from a particular house on a regular basis, especially during late evening hours.

• Persons involved in a fight or any explosion or scream.

• Door-to-door solicitations without a City of Cold Spring solicitor’s permit, or any stranger knocking on doors (burglars sometimes knock at the door first to see if anyone is at home).

• Recurring appearances of a strange vehicle in the neighborhood.

• Persons standing around, possibly acting as lookouts.

Burglar in your home

If you return home and believe that someone may have broken in while you were away:

• Leave immediately! Do not enter your home!

• Go to a neighbor’s house or some other location and dial the emergency number for the police, 9-1-1.

• Wait for the police; do not return to your home until officers have checked it.

Call Prioritization

To ensure a rapid police response when you need it, the Cold Spring Police Department has a call priority system. High priority calls consist of reports of crimes where lives may be endangered or in progress or those recently committed where there is a chance of apprehending a criminal. As the call taker is asking questions, the information is being made available to the dispatchers for relay to the police officer. It is important to continue talking with the call taker, answering questions and providing additional information as accurately as possible. When 911 is dialed and the calling party hangs up, an officer is sent to the address. With the 911 enhanced system used in Stearns County, the address of the telephone from where the call is being made appears on the call taker’s computer terminal. Please ensure that your children do not play with your telephone. Lower priority calls consist of reports of property crimes that occurred some time ago and suspects have left the scene. These calls are dispatched based on available police units, and may even be handled by telephone;  that number to the (320) 685-8666. The Confidential Drug Hotline number is (320) 251-4240. If you have information concerning weapons being carried by persons while on or near school property, please call the “Weapons in Schools” Tip Line at (320) 685-8666. Please leave your full name and telephone number if you wish to have your all returned.

Reasons Some People Give for Not Reporting Suspected Criminal Activity

• It’s none of my business

You may be the next victim.

• Someone else may be reporting it.

Maybe not.

• The police are too busy.

Calls of in-progress crimes or suspicious activity are always important.

• That noise may not be anything.

If so, why did it attract your attention?

• That unknown person may be visiting the neighbors.

Maybe not. It’s best to be certain.

• That strange car may just be lost.

There may be a crime about to occur

• The stranger at your door seems friendly, her or she was just lost.

This is how some burglars determine if anyone is home.

• I could be wrong, and there is no crime occurring.

Maybe not. But then again, no harm is done by investigating it.

• The criminals might retaliate if I report them.

Though this could occur, experience indicates this happens in extremely rare cases.

• I do not care what happens off my property.

Apathy breeds crime. You could be next.

• It is the Police Department’s job, not mine.

The police depend on residents to be their “eyes and ears.”

• I am the victim and do not want to report it because it was just a minor theft.

It could be part of a developing pattern and the police need to know about it.

How to call the police

1. Dial 9-1-1 for only emergencies, or (320) 685-8666 for non-emergencies or to ask questions.

2. Quickly describe why you are calling.

3. Give you name, address, and phone number.

4. Give detailed suspect or vehicle description and last known location or direction of travel.

5. Stay calm. Remain on the phone to give any additional information.

Note the following when you meet the officers:

• Date and time.

• Officer’s name

• The officer will provide case number if applicable.