Suspicious Activity

The West Valley City Police Department works in conjunction with state and federal partners to identify suspicious activity that in and of itself may not be criminal in nature, but could be indicative of terrorism, organized crime, and other serious public safety concerns. 

Terrorism:

Violent, criminal acts committed by individuals and/or groups to further ideological goals, whether inspired by foreign terrorist organizations or domestic influences.

Current Threats from Extremism:

International and domestic violent extremists have developed an extensive presence on the Internet through messaging platforms and online images, videos, and publications. These facilitate the groups’ ability to radicalize and recruit individuals who are receptive to extremist messaging. 

How West Valley City Police Department Handles Terroristic Threats:

People who are being influenced toward violence are challenging to identify, investigate, and disrupt. Law enforcement relies on partnerships and tips from the public to identify and thwart these attacks. WVCPD works to prevent the attack and disrupt the radicalization through various means, including providing mental health or other social resources, directing a path away from violence and radicalization, and occasionally arresting the individual to protect the public and insert the violator into the criminal justice system.

We have a multidisciplinary team which includes LCSWs, Crisis Intervention Team officers and detectives, and state and federal partners such as the Statewide Information and Analysis Center, the FBI, and Homeland Security.

How can you help?

  • Remain aware of your surroundings.
  • Report suspicious activity to the West Valley City Police Department through online or in-person reporting.
  • Say something if you see something. Most times, a person’s family, friends, teacher, or minister are the first to notice a concerning change in behavior that may indicate a person is radicalizing to violence.

If you see something, say something:

If there is a life-threatening emergency, call 9-1-1.

If the situation is not life-threatening, call Dispatch at 801-840-4000 or the Tip-A-Cop hotline at 801-963- 3459. 

When reporting suspicious activity, it is helpful to give the most accurate description possible, including:

  • Brief description of the activity
  • Date, time and location of the activity
  • Physical identifiers of anyone you observed
  • Descriptions of vehicles
  • Information about where people involved in suspicious activities may have gone
  • Your name and contact information (optional)