What is a key action when responding to suspicious activity?

Notifying dispatch of the occurrence is vital when responding to suspicious activity. This step ensures that the appropriate authorities are aware of the situation, allowing for a coordinated response. Dispatch can provide additional support, resources, or backup, which is crucial in potentially dangerous situations.

Prompt notification helps to create a record of the incident, enhances situational awareness, and allows for other units to be alerted to the situation. This action increases overall safety for both the responding personnel and the community.

While observing from a distance can be useful for gathering information, it does not replace the need to communicate with dispatch. Documenting the incident is also important, but it typically occurs after the initial notification has been made. Conducting an immediate arrest may not always be appropriate without proper assessment of the situation.