Last summer, on the hottest night of the year, I couldn’t sleep so I stepped outside on the front porch for some cool air. It was about 3:30 A.M. A man, probably in early 30′s but who looked twice that, was right at my gate staring right at me while I stood there. He was probably a junkie because he was heavily overdressed for the weather with long-sleeved shirt and looked dead in his eyes when we made eye contact. A nothing-to-lose look. Very creepy and to be honest, pretty scary.

But it did not register with him that I was watching him; he crossed the street to my neighbor’s car and checked every car door then proceeded to zigzag down the block to every car. I had called 911 and was describing him before he got to the second car. He was clearly messed up, but unbelievably proficient and speedy in executing the prowls, one after the other. He made it through over nine cars on the block in less than three minutes. It was not the first time that junkie had done this.

So. Not all prowlers are kids.

Also, it might not be such a good idea for folks to yell at prowlers or burglars and spook them away. I get how tempting it is. Seriously.

But, hope for presence of mind to

1) get a good description
(along with your own safety, this should be your first priority)

2) and then call 911 with your info
(your second priority is to be clear and concise for the 911 operators)
a) the nature of your complaint
b) your address
c) description and direction of person

Be alert but don’t try to Rambo a situation.
Be safe – you are more of a hero by letting the cops catch the bad guys with good descriptions than chasing them away without any descriptions at all.

Be good neighbors by reporting suspicious people or troublesome happennings. Let SPD figure out the rest after we have done our part.