The 112th Precinct Community Council offers these tips for describing a perp to anyone who has witnessed a crime:
? Be systematic. Look the person over from head to foot.
? Compare him/her with yourself (is he taller, shorter, heavier).
? What about the person’s hair? Color, length, straight, curly, thick, balding or thin, sideburns?
? Facial hair? Clean shaven, stubble, mustache, beard?
? Any distinguishing marks, features?
? Eye color?
? Male, Female
? Race: White, Black, Hispanic, Asian, etc. Complexion: light, dark, ruddy, olive, sun burned, pale?
? Height: try estimating in two inch blocks (for example, between 5′ 8" and 5′ 10")
? Age
? Weight
? Clothing: Hat, eyeglasses, coat, shirt, pants, dress, skirt, shoes – the color, the type of clothes – the jacket
The Council urges anyone who has witnessed a crime to in progress to report it to the police by calling 9-1-1.
Editor’s Note: Remember that every precinct stationhouse is equipped with a Language Line telephone that provides simultaneous translations in nearly 200 languages. So English skills or a lack thereof should not be factor in the reporting of crimes.
