Calgary police have launched an online game that is designed to improve people's powers of observation.

The Be a Good Witness game is on the Calgary Police Service website and includes video of mock crimes.

The player is asked to watch the video and then is asked questions about what they saw.

The awareness campaign is a joint operation by police and the Alberta Motor Association.

The goal is to educate Calgarians about what information police are looking for, how to report a crime or information that may be related to a crime, and to encourage citizens to report suspicious behaviour.

Police say they want to get Calgarians more involved in observing what's happening around them and say that they often rely on witness accounts to help them solve crimes.

"The feature component of our campaign is an online game where Calgarians can observe things that have occurred. They're scenarios that we have developed, and people can observe these scenarios and then test their observation skills to find out how good a witness they really are, how good their observation skills are," said CPS Acting Sgt. Stu Simpson.

Statistics Canada says that 69 percent of crime goes unreported and the most common excuse is that the witness didn't think what they saw was important enough.

Police believe that witnesses can assist in preventing future crimes and protecting others from experiencing the same thing when they file a report.

Tips for being a good witness:

Always be on the lookout for:

  • Suspicious people or activities
  • Vehicles passing numerous times or suspiciously parked
  • Strangers in your neighbourhood
  • Listen for yelling or screaming – it could indicate fights or domestic/child abuse

If you're watching an unusual vehicle, take note of:

  • Year, make and model
  • Colour
  • License plate #
  • Number of occupants
  • Body damage, bumper stickers or decals.
  • Direction of travel (which street was it parked/driving along when you last saw it)

If you see a person acting suspiciously, take note of:

  • Age and gender
  • Ethnicity and build
  • Height and weight
  • Hair colour and length
  • Face shape and/or facial hair
  • Eye colour and shape
  • Clothing type and colour

To take the online test, visit the Community services section of the Calgary Police Service website.