ScismGenie@aol.com writes > problem is that he has to have DONE something before the Police can even > 'open" an investigation. Otherwise we would have a true gestapo state. Yes - before they can open an investigation, but police patrol to prevent these kinds of things - if you clue them in on suspicious people and activity - then they can look for those people. They can talk to people on the streets - just to talk to them, if you don't want to talk - you don't have to. You need probable cause to search, not to talk. Police can ask you for consent to search without probable cause. There are lots of things police can do without probable cause. Probable cause is required for things that are invasive, searches etc... Every day before their shifts, police officers meet and are shown photos of suspicious people, they are informed of suspicious activity. Suspicious not just criminal activity. They will talk to these people when they see them, it is a deterrant. If you are known to the police - (even if you are not a known criminal) you are less likely to be asking kids to come to your treehouse!! If the police drive by 5 times a day, etc... This is the reason there are huge Community policing grants... to educate people on what the police can do with information on suspicious activity, not just criminal activity. See if your police department has community policing, they are set up specifically for issues like this.