Social networks offer platforms for us to share everything on the Internet, from our relationship status to our political leanings and photos of our pets and children.  But some people are discovering that what they share on Facebook, Twitter and other platforms constitutes evidence that can be used against them in a court of law.

Anything posted online is material that law enforcement can use as evidence to arrest and charge a person. In criminal cases, almost all evidence is discoverable and police can obtain the evidence. A subpoena can force a social media company to produce deleted content.  But sometimes, law enforcement doesn’t have to jump through any hoops to collect potentially incriminating evidence – they just have to click around online or are provided screenshots.

Suspects have protections against incriminating themselves while in custody, but voluntary gloating or confessions online are free game for law enforcement. People do not realize that you can’t take it back. It’s almost impossible to unpost something. People have always said foolish things but now they have the ability to say it louder and to more people.

What behaviors do police consider suspicious?

While the below behaviors are known to be consistent with criminal activity, it is entirely possible that there is a simple explanation for what you are seeing. There is no harm in giving the police a call to report suspicious activity.  Let them investigate and determine if the activity is legit.

Police associate these behaviors with potential criminal activity:

• Someone walking down the street looking into multiple vehicles and/or trying door handles to see if the doors will open.
• Someone taking a package from someone else’s property (keep in mind that sometimes neighbors leave or pick up packages for other neighbors).
• A person who is not your neighbor walking about your neighbor’s home and looking into windows, or trying to gain access by forcing open a window or door.
• A person knocking on your door and asking to speak with someone who does not live there and who may also go to other homes knocking on doors. This is a tactic used by people with the intent to burglarize to see if people are home. (Keep in mind that people may mistakenly go to the wrong home.)
• Someone claiming to represent a utility company who is either not wearing a uniform, does not produce identification upon request, or does not have a company logo vehicle.
• Someone using binoculars or other devices to peer into your or your neighbors’ homes.
• At night, a person sitting inside a vehicle that you do not recognize with the lights off for an extended period of time.
• A pushy salesperson not producing identification upon your request or asking to come into your home.
• A vehicle you do not recognize that is circling multiple times around the neighborhood.
• An unusually high flow of people coming and going from a particular home and visiting for just a couple of minutes. (NOTE: Police prefer that you report this to them, rather than post about it.)
• If you feel you are being followed when walking home or driving home and you change your route with the person(s) following along with you.
• Sales crews selling products door to door saying they need to make a quota and who refuse to produce identification upon your request.