1. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 1 Improving Observation Skills on Campus Faculty, Staff and Students Training Series

2. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 2 Observation Skills Course Objectives Participants will: Learn the importance of being observant Learn observation skills that can be employed in University Crime Watch Understand that observation is the first step in reporting incidents

3. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 3 Observation Skills What to observe: Physical setting Specific location Time of day Day of week People What do they look like? How are they acting? How many of them are there? Routines Did you notice any recurring patterns or routines? How often did they occur? Who was involved? Specific items What other factors might be important?

4. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 4 Observation Skills

5. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 5 Observation Skills Answer the following questions regarding the previous picture: What was the name on the lead car? About how many cars were in the picture? Was anyone hurt? What color was the damaged vehicle or vehicles?? What type of damage was there to the vehicle or vehicles? Where (place) did the accident occur?

6. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 6 How to observe people and vehicles Stay calm and remain alert to your surroundings Begin with the basics Move to specifics Broaden your perspective Add details

7. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 7 People: Begin with the Basics Gender Race Age Number of individuals involved

8. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 8 People: Move to specifics Height Weight Clothing –Hat –Shirt –Pants –Shoes Hair and eye color Facial hair

9. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 9 People: Broaden your perspective What other events are occurring? Who else is affected? What is the overall situation?

10. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 10 People: Add details Vehicles involved Witnesses Location Direction of travel Outcome of the incident –Individuals injured or killed –Damage caused

11. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 11 Vehicle: Begin with the basics Make –Ford, Chevrolet, Dodge, VW, Volvo, Lexus, Honda, Nissan, Toyota, etc. Model –Mustang, Maxima, Expedition, Focus, Accord, etc.

12. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 12 Vehicle symbols How many of these vehicle symbols do you recognize?

13. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 13 Vehicle: Move to specifics Body style –2 door –4 door –Hatchback –Convertible –Four wheel drive Color Overall appearance –Clean or dirty? –primer marks?

14. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 14 Vehicle: Add details Damage Bumper stickers Signs or lettering Phone numbers Company logos

15. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 15 Improving your observation skills Be patient and take your time Pay attention to your surroundings

16. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 16 Post-Observation Actions If possible, write down your observations as soon as possible Record the date and time If activities appear to be unusual, suspicious or illegal, call for assistance and let law enforcement take action

17. UNIVERSITY CRIME WATCH www.universitycrimewatch.org 17 Conclusion