The Michigan State Police have introduced a new initiative to get ahead of targeted acts of violence called STOP A PLOT. The campaign encourages residents to recognize the warning signs of suspicious behavior and report it.
Trooper Tom recognizes the importance of community involvement in law enforcement. “I look at the community as a whole and law enforcement is a part of that community with a specific job to serve and protect,” he explains. “There are only so many law enforcement officers in our communities. We only have so many eyes and ears. If individuals assist law enforcement by reporting suspicious activity it would benefit everyone in the community to keep it safe and protected.”
Trooper Tom and his colleagues view their relationship with the public as a partnership. While many people perceive law enforcement as a separate entity, the reality is that LEO’s are human individuals doing a job in community service and they desire a fruitful relationship with the public that results in the safety and security of all.
More than one half of targeted violence incidents show warning signs prior to occurring. Community members serve as crucial observers that can make the difference in whether an act takes place or not. “There are some places in society law enforcement is not able to access easily and sometimes we count on community members to help us obtain information to complete investigations,” Trooper Tom notes. He acknowledges that community members may be hesitant to seek out law enforcement for fear of betraying someone or being labeled nosy. But a good reminder for both young and old is that telling often gets people help they need. Law enforcement also has ways to help conceal sources of information and may, depending on the information and case, compensate the intelligence source.
When considering whether to report suspicious activity, Trooper Tom advises following the “five W’s”: who or what you observed, when and where it occurred and why it may be suspicious. He encourages us to trust our instincts as we go about our day-to-day activities, attend events or interact with individuals, noting suspicious behaviors or situations, making a report as necessary and allowing an investigation to take place. “It’s better to have it and not need it rather than to not have anything and need it. I think when law enforcement receives a call for service they are trying to put a puzzle together and sometimes putting a puzzle together works best when we have help.”
People often fail to report incidents because they are unaware which activities may be suspicious, do not want to get involved or incorrectly assume someone else has already reported. Using sound judgment, trusting your instincts and showing care and concern for your community can be beneficial to all community members and may make the difference in preventing or solving an incident.
Trooper Tom emphasizes that communication is most effective if it is mutual and reminds us that our law enforcement officers also want to communicate with the public. “It can get complicated in reciprocating communication as we have to weigh the pros and cons of providing updates to the public so as not to compromise the active investigation.” But a lack of an update as to the purpose, scope or progress does not indicate that an investigation is inactive or that reporting suspicious activities was in vain. Trusting the investigative process and those tasked with it often leads to better outcomes.
In an era where technology has made communication more impersonal, Trooper Tom highlights one benefit of modern advancements: “With numerous ways to communicate—texting, calling, emailing—there are no excuses for not reporting suspicious activity to law enforcement.”
Confidential reporting is available at michigan. gov/MSP or at 855-MICHTIP. By fostering a collaborative approach, communities can work together with law enforcement to enhance safety and security for all.
