How to Report a Crime
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When reporting an incident to a public safety agency, think of the Five W’s to help provide key details to the person taking your information:
Remember: Never place yourself in harm’s way to gather this information!
What: Synopsis of what is happening or the type of service needed.
Examples:
- There’s a woman causing a disturbance.
- There’s a suspicious man in front of the building.
- We need an ambulance for someone who passed out!
Where: Location where the incident is occurring. Be as specific as possible; it can be an exact address, intersection, block or an identifiable area at the location.
Examples:
- 1801 W. Taylor St.
- Taylor/Wolcott,
- 1800 block W. Taylor
- On the 2nd floor in apt/office/room 201
- Additional descriptors: tower or wing, loading dock, alley, etc.
Who: Descriptions of offender(s)/direction of flight. Provide as many details as possible to help police identify the right person(s).
Example:
- Caucasian man, about 5’9 and 180 pounds, with black hair, sunglasses, and a full beard. He has on a blue baseball cap, tan jacket, white button-up shirt, khaki pants, and brown shoes.
When: Advise if the incident is currently happening or has already passed.
Examples:
- There’s a car on fire right now!
- Someone just stole my car!
- My office was burglarized overnight!
Weapons: Identify any weapons involved or any object that can do bodily harm or damage property.
Examples:
- gun
- knife
- baseball bat
- golf club
- crowbar
- brick
Additional Details: Known physical or psychological issues involved. This information will assist in getting the appropriate resources to the scene.
There are a variety of ways to report a crime:
- In-person at the UIC Police Department, 943 W Maxwell St, Chicago, IL 60608, Second (2nd) Floor
- Emergency Call: (312) 355-5555 (24hrs)
- Non-Emergency Call: (312) 996-2830 (24hrs)
- Call 911