A great example of the Neighborhood Watch at work

On Aug. 26, Bryan Officer J.P. Ingram asked us to post photos of a suspicious vehicle taken by residents on Vine Street. The truck's occupant was looking at houses with what appeared to be binoculars.

We posted the photos immediately.

Within 24 hours, we received a message from the truck's owner, a local real estate appraiser who it turns out was just taking photos of houses to use in an analysis of comparable sales. The owner learned about the post from a friend, contacted us, and apologized for generating concern. Once we knew the story behind the suspicious activity, we took down the post.

This is a perfect example of how the Neighborhood Watch program should work every day.

• If you see any suspicious in the neighborhood, report it to Officer Ingram or to the Bryan Police Department at 979-361-3888
• If the police agree that the activity is suspicious, they will ask us to post it here. (it helps if you can provide a photo, but a good description is also useful.)
  
• If we later learn there is a harmless explanation for the suspicious activity, we can always take down the post down.

It all begins with vigilant neighbors like the ones on Vine Street who take the time to report anything that is out of place to Bryan police. No one should be concerned with becoming the Boy Who Cried 'Wolf'. Make the report and let the police decide whether a suspicious activity should generate concern.