For Immediate Release

Monday, Dec. 28, 2015

Contact: John Guilfoil
Phone: 617-993-0003
Email: john@jgpr.net

Dedham Police Department Encourages Residents to “See Something, Say Something”

DEDHAM – Chief Michael d’Entremont and the Dedham Police Department are encouraging residents to “See Something, Say Something” and protect their communities by recognizing and reporting suspicious activity.

“Our goal is simply to remind the public that they should feel comfortable keeping their eyes open for suspicious activity and to contact the police department if they are concerned,” Chief d’Entremont said. “If something doesn’t look right, it probably isn’t. Residents who have any concerns for their own safety or the safety of others should not hesitate to call the police so we can come check it out.”

According to the Department of Homeland Security, suspicious activity includes, but is not limited to:

• Unusual items or situations: A vehicle parked at an odd location, a package left unattended, a window or door left is open that is normally closed, any other out-of-the-ordinary situation.
• Eliciting information: If a person questions other individuals at a level that is beyond normal curiosity about a building’s purpose, operations, security procedures, personnel, shift changes, etc.
• Observation/surveillance: An individual who pays unusual attention to facilities or buildings beyond a casual or professional interest. This includes extended loitering without explanation (especially in concealed locations); unusual, repeated, and/or prolonged observation of a building (e.g. with binoculars or video camera) taking notes or measurements, counting paces, sketching floor plans, etc.

Many of these activities could be innocent, but police are ultimately responsible for determining whether the behavior should be investigated.

If you do see something suspicious, report it to the Dedham Police Department at 781-326-1212 and describe specifically what you observed, including:

• Who or what you saw
• When you saw it
• Where it occurred
• Why it’s suspicious

For information that does not require an immediate police response and will be helpful to the Detective Bureau, residents should call the Dedham Police Department’s tip line at 781-326-7666. Residents who wish to remain anonymous are also encouraged to report suspicious activity. Simply inform the dispatcher that you wish to remain anonymous when asked for your name.

The Dedham Police Department wants to make it very clear to the community that factors such as race, ethnicity, and/or religious affiliation are not considered suspicious.

###