Question
What should I do if I encounter a Suspicious Person
Answer
If you encounter a suspicious person:
- Remain calm
- DO NOT let anyone into a locked room or building without proper authority
- DO NOT engage in a physical confrontation with the person
- DO NOT block the person's exit
Call the Police at 9-1-1 or USD University Police at 605-658-6199:
- Your location
- Person's behavior
- Person's physical description
- Person's location and direction of travel
- What you saw
- Where and when it happened
- Stay on the phone until released by the dispatcher
Signs of Suspicious Person or Activity
- Anything out of the ordinary
- A person(s) running or leaving quickly - as if he or she were being watched or chased
- A person(s) hauling property - lab equipment, laptops, books, bikes - at an unusual time or location
- A person(s) going door to door in a residence hall or office
- A person(s) pulling on multiple doorknobs or trying to open residence hall/office rooms
- A person(s) pulling on car door handles or looking into multiple vehicles
- A person(s) forcibly entering a locked vehicle or door
- Car or person(s) repeatedly circling an area
- A person(s) being forced into a vehicle
- Strange(s) noises - arguing, yelling, gunshots, etc.
- A person(s) exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms - person may be injured or under the influence of drugs
- A person(s) who photographs, videotapes, sketches or asks detailed questions about power plants, buildings, bridges, hospitals, utility infrastructure, etc
- A person(s) who doesn't belong, gaining, or trying to gain access to a restricted area
Please contact University Police if you need further assistance.