911 vs. non-emergency: which number to call

When in doubt, call 911. The dispatcher will route the call appropriately and will not be upset that you chose the emergency line. Reaction time matters — a few minutes can be the difference between intercepting a suspect on scene and writing up a report after the fact.

What "suspicious" looks like

Trust your instincts. If something feels out of place, it probably is. Examples of activity worth a call:

• A person looking into vehicles, peering in house windows, or walking around the back of a property that isn't theirs.
• A vehicle parked for an extended period in an unusual location — at the end of a cul-de-sac, on a rural road shoulder, behind a closed business — particularly at night.
• The same vehicle driving slowly past the same houses repeatedly.
• A person carrying items that don't fit — tools at 2 a.m., a TV walking down the sidewalk, a chainsaw being loaded into the trunk of a sedan.
• Someone forcing a door, breaking a window, or trying multiple car-door handles.
• An unfamiliar vehicle in a neighbor's driveway when you know they're out of town.
• A person who appears lost or confused who refuses help, or who runs when approached.
• Sounds of breaking glass, screams, or an alarm.
• A delivery truck or service vehicle that doesn't match the company logo, has paper plates, or has covered up its license plate.
• An adult attempting to talk to children at a school or a bus stop.
• The smell of natural gas, smoke, or chemicals where there shouldn't be any.

"Suspicious" does not require certainty. The dispatcher will sort out what is and isn't a crime — your job is to share the information.

The five W's — what to observe

Before you call, take 15 seconds to mentally collect:

• Who — Description of the person(s) involved. (See Describing a person.)
• What — What exactly are they doing? Use plain words: "He's looking in car windows" rather than "He's casing the lot."
• Where — Specific location. House number, cross street, business name, mile marker, intersection. If you don't know the address, describe landmarks.
• When — Is this happening right now, did it just happen, or is it from earlier? "Right now" gets the fastest response.
• Weapon — Is the person armed? Do you see a firearm, knife, bat, or other weapon? Don't get closer to find out — describe what you can already see.

Stay on the line. The dispatcher may ask you to keep watching and provide updates while deputies are en route. Do not hang up unless your own safety requires it.

Describing a person

The dispatcher will ask for a description. Work top-to-bottom — it is easier to remember in order.

1. Sex & race or ethnicity (best estimate, never required to be exact)
2. Approximate age (a range is fine — "20s" or "40 to 50")
3. Height & build (taller or shorter than 5'10"; thin, average, heavyset, muscular)
4. Hair (color, length, style, hat?)
5. Facial features (glasses, beard, scars, tattoos, distinctive features)
6. Upper-body clothing (color & type — "navy blue hoodie with white drawstrings")
7. Lower-body clothing (color & type — "dark jeans," "khaki cargo shorts")
8. Shoes (often overlooked but the most consistent identifier — "white sneakers with red laces")
9. What they are carrying (backpack, bag, tool, phone, etc.)
10. Direction of travel (on foot — north, south, toward the highway; or by vehicle — see next section)

If you can only describe one or two things, give those one or two things. A partial description is far better than nothing.

Describing a vehicle — CYMBALS

Memorize the acronym CYMBALS. It's the order law enforcement uses when entering a vehicle into the system.

If you can safely take a photo or video without alerting the driver, do it — but only if you can do so from a position of safety. A photo is many times more useful than a description.

What not to do

• Do not confront the person. Your job is to observe and report, not to detain.
• Do not chase or follow in your vehicle. Pursuits go bad quickly and put you, them, and other drivers in danger.
• Do not display a weapon. Texas law allows defense of habitation, but it does not allow brandishing as a deterrent against someone outside.
• Do not delay the call to "make sure" something is happening. If you're uncertain, call the non-emergency line and let the dispatcher decide whether to send a deputy.
• Do not post about an in-progress incident on social media before calling. Tips and warnings posted to Nextdoor or Facebook do not reach dispatch.
• Do not embellish or guess. If you didn't see the gun, don't say you saw the gun. Accurate reporting is what helps deputies respond appropriately.

Online & non-urgent reports

Not every observation needs a 911 call. The Sheriff's Office accepts non-urgent reports several ways:

• Non-emergency phone: (512) 398-1800, 24 hours a day.
• In person: 1204 Reed Drive, Lockhart, TX 78644. The front-desk lobby is open Monday-Friday, 8 a.m.-5 p.m.
• Open Records / Public Information: For records requests, use the PIR system.
• Email tips for a specific investigation: If a deputy or investigator has already given you a case number and an email address, send updates there.

Anonymous tips & Crime Stoppers

If you have information about a crime but you do not want your name attached to the report, you have anonymous options:

• Crime Stoppers tip line: Call 1-800-324-TIPS (8477) for the Capital Area Crime Stoppers, which covers Caldwell County. You can also submit tips at austincrimestoppers.org. Tips that lead to an arrest are eligible for cash rewards of up to $1,000.
• P3 Tips app: Free smartphone app from the Crime Stoppers network. Tips are encrypted and routed anonymously.
• Sheriff's Office anonymous tip line: Leave a voicemail at (512) 398-1800. You do not have to identify yourself.
• Texas Attorney General Human Trafficking tip line: 1-888-373-7888 (or text "HELP" to 233733) for human-trafficking concerns.

Common situations — call, or no?

After you call

• Stay on the line until the dispatcher tells you it is okay to hang up.
• Keep observing if you can do so safely. Updated information — direction of travel, weapons seen, additional people — is helpful to the deputies en route.
• Get a report number if a deputy responds and takes a report. You will need this for insurance, follow-up, or related questions.
• Provide a way to be reached. Even if you have prefer to stay anonymous, a method of follow-up greatly helps investigators.
• Do not post details on social media while the call is active, and do not post any photos of suspects or vehicle plates until the deputies have arrived and contained the scene.

Once a deputy is on scene and the situation is resolved, you may not always hear about the outcome — many investigations are confidential while ongoing. If you'd like a status update on a case, call the Sheriff's Office during business hours and reference the case number.