After Decatur and DeKalb Police and the DeKalb Sheriff’s Office took part in a manhunt that occurred on the south side of Decatur earlier this week, we followed up with Decatur Police Sgt. Jennifer Ross, who responded to a few of our questions that may help us all be better prepared if we were ever to find ourselves in the midst of a similar event.

What are some of the most obvious signs that you’re in the midst of a police chase/manhunt?

If you see a flurry of police activity, multiple officers, police vehicles, sirens and blue lights, officers from various agencies, officers with guns drawn or carrying rifles or shotguns, officers with K9s that appear to be looking for something or someone, chasing someone, traversing yards, fences and wooded areas, assume we are searching for someone and that this is a dangerous situation.

What should you do if you find yourself in the midst of a manhunt?

If you are passing through an area in a vehicle and observe this type of police activity, be on alert for someone approaching your vehicle as it could be a suspect looking for a way out of the area. An example of this recently occurred in Oakhurst on July 12^th when the suspect who robbed the Family Dollar attempted to carjack a passing vehicle while trying to get away.  If you are a pedestrian or cyclist, change your course to get away from the activity.

What shouldn’t you do?

Please do not approach officers to ask questions when they are working to catch a suspect.  We have had residents approach us, while we were focused on the situation with guns drawn, to ask us what is going on.  It is not safe for you or the officers.  Suspects and these types of situations are unpredictable, tense and dangerous.

Should you go outside?  If not, how will you be made aware that it’s safe to go outside?

When residents see this type of police activity, the best thing to do is remain inside your home and lock all doors and windows and call 911 if unknown persons are at your door or on your property since it could be the person running from police.  The officers leaving the area indicates the situation or search is over.  You can monitor for updates on local blogs and if you want further reassurance, contact the non-emergency number for the police department, .

What should you do if you observe suspicious activity in the area of the manhunt?

Residents are extra eyes and ears for us and you can help direct us to the right place, especially when we are chasing suspects over fences, through backyards and in wooded areas.  If you see police activity that indicates a chase or search and then observe unknown persons on your or a neighbor’s property, suspicious circumstances such as the door to your shed open when it was previously closed, or hear unusual sounds such as glass breaking, call the police immediately and tell them that you see police activity in the area and have information that may help.  Give your location, explain exactly what you are seeing and be prepared to stay on the line to provide the dispatcher updates of what you are seeing.

Also, please understand that curiosity takes a back seat to safety in these situations.  The officers are focused on the task at hand and must remain so in order to bring these types of situations under control quickly so that nobody is hurt.  I myself have had to yell at someone to get their kids and get inside.  They were not happy with me until it was all over, which was when I was able to inform them of what had been occurring.  They understood they were in danger and I did not have time to have a conversation at that moment.  The officers are not trying to be rude or seem unfriendly.  They are trying to make sure a dangerous suspect is captured before someone else is victimized.

Lastly, know that calls into the Dispatch center include coordination with other agencies, officers trying to not tie up the radio during an emergency, witnesses calling in to provide information about seeing suspects as well as the calls for service that continue in other parts of the city.  If you simply want to know what happened, please check the local blogs or wait to call and ask after the police activity appears to have ended.