You’re scrolling through a true crime forum or maybe just glancing at a neighborhood watch post on Facebook, and there it is: BOLO. It sounds like a brand of budget dog food or maybe a tie you’d wear to a square dance in Texas. But context matters. If a cop says it, things are serious. If a vintage clothing picker says it on Instagram, they’re probably just excited about a dusty pair of Levi’s.
Context is everything.
Honestly, it’s one of those acronyms that has migrated from high-stakes government work into the casual vocabulary of everyday hobbyists. Most people assume it just means "look for something," but the origins are actually pretty rigid.
The Badge and the Blue Lights: Where BOLO Started
At its core, what does BOLO mean in the world of law enforcement? It stands for "Be On the Look Out." Simple, right?
It’s an official broadcast sent out to police officers, border patrol agents, and other emergency services. When a suspect flees a crime scene or a missing person is reported, the dispatcher puts out a BOLO. It’s the modern version of the old-school "All-Points Bulletin" or APB. While television shows still love the dramatic flair of shouting "Put out an APB!", most modern precincts in the United States have pivoted to BOLO because it’s quicker to say over a crackling radio.
A standard police BOLO isn't just a vague "keep an eye out." It’s a data dump. It usually includes the ATL (Attempt to Locate) instructions, a description of the vehicle (often using the CYMBAL acronym: Color, Year, Make, Body, And License), and the reason for the stop. For instance, a BOLO might be issued for a silver 2022 Toyota Camry with a cracked taillight involved in a hit-and-run.
Interestingly, these aren't just local. The FBI and even international agencies like Interpol use variations of this system. When a BOLO is issued on a federal level, it’s often because a suspect is a flight risk, meaning they might be heading for a state line or an airport.
The Thrift Store Hustle: Why Resellers Love This Word
Shift gears for a second. Leave the sirens behind and head into your local Goodwill or a crowded garage sale. You’ll see people staring at their phones, scanning barcodes, and whispering into their lapel mics. Okay, maybe not the mics, but they are definitely hunting.
In the world of e-commerce—specifically on platforms like eBay, Poshmark, and Depop—a BOLO is a "high-profit item."
It’s the "holy grail" of the thrift bin.
If a professional reseller tells their community, "Hey, this specific brand of 90s windbreakers is a BOLO," they are essentially sounding the alarm for their peers. They mean: "If you see this, buy it immediately because it will flip for five times the price."
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It’s a weird evolution of the term. In the police world, a BOLO is something you want to catch to stop a crime. In the reselling world, a BOLO is something you want to catch to pay your rent. The stakes are different, but the urgency is the same.
Specific BOLO items change constantly. In 2024 and 2025, we saw a massive surge in "grandpacoat" aesthetics and vintage tech like 2000-era digital cameras. A BOLO for a reseller might be a specific discontinued LEGO set, a certain tag on a Harley Davidson t-shirt, or a particular shade of Pyrex mixing bowl.
The Military and Maritime Connection
Now, if you’re a history buff or you’ve spent time in the Navy, you might have heard "BOLO" used in a way that has absolutely nothing to do with looking for things.
Historically, a bolo is a large cutting tool. It’s a machete-like knife originating from the Philippines. It was used primarily for clearing vegetation or harvesting crops, but it became famous (or infamous) as a weapon during the Philippine Revolution and later the Philippine-American War.
The US military actually has a "Bolo Badge" or "Bolo Marksmanship" joke.
Basically, back in the day, if a soldier failed to qualify on the rifle range, they were sometimes jokingly told they’d have to use a bolo knife instead since they couldn't shoot straight. In some old-school military slang, to "bolo" a test means to fail it completely. It’s a bit of a linguistic fossil now, but you’ll still hear it among older veterans or in specific training environments.
Regional Slang: From the UK to the Caribbean
Language is messy. It doesn't stay in its lane.
In some parts of the UK and among Caribbean communities, "bolo" can be used as slang for a "big, tough guy" or someone who is physically imposing. It’s often derived from "bolo-head," which refers to someone with a shaved or bald head.
Then you have the South American context. In some Spanish-speaking countries, "bolo" can refer to a small amount of money, a "pin" in bowling, or even a specific type of lottery game. If you're in a bakery in certain regions, you might even find a sweet bread called a bolo.
Contextual awareness is the difference between finding a suspect and finding a snack.
Why Do People Keep Using It?
Acronyms are "sticky."
They save time. "Be On the Look Out" is seven syllables. "BOLO" is two. In a high-pressure situation, those seconds matter.
But beyond the efficiency, there’s a psychological element to it. Using "insider" terms makes people feel like they belong to a specific group. When a new reseller starts using the term BOLO, they feel like they’ve officially entered the professional ranks. When a true crime fan uses it in a subreddit, they feel like they’re part of the investigation.
How to Effectively Use a BOLO in Real Life
If you’re actually in a position where you need to issue a "lookout" notice—maybe your dog got out or someone swiped a package from your porch—don't just post the word BOLO and a grainy photo. That’s how information gets ignored.
To make a BOLO actually work, you need the "hooks."
- Distinctive Markers: Forget the generic stuff. Don't just say "Red SUV." Say "Red SUV with a 'My Child is an Honor Student' sticker and a dent on the passenger door."
- Time and Place: People have short memories. Tell them exactly where the sighting happened and which direction the person or vehicle was headed.
- Actionable Advice: Should they call 911? Should they call you? Should they just keep their distance?
Common Misconceptions: What It Isn't
People often confuse BOLO with other acronyms.
It’s not SOL (Shit Out of Luck), though if there’s a BOLO out for you, you probably are.
It’s not ETA (Estimated Time of Arrival), though dispatchers use them together.
And it’s definitely not a Bolo Tie, which is that cord necklace with a decorative clasp. Though, ironically, a vintage silver and turquoise bolo tie could absolutely be a BOLO for a vintage reseller. See how confusing this gets?
The Future of the Lookout
As we move deeper into 2026, the way we "look out" for things is changing. We have automated license plate readers (ALPRs) that scan thousands of plates a minute. We have AI-driven software that can identify specific clothing patterns in a crowd.
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The "BOLO" of the future might not even be a radio broadcast. It’ll be a data packet sent directly to the heads-up display of a patrol car or a notification on the phones of every "Digital Neighbor" within a five-mile radius.
But even with all that tech, the human element remains. We are naturally observant creatures. We like to hunt, and we like to find. Whether it’s a suspect in a high-speed chase or a rare $500 Pokémon card in a bin of plastic toys, the BOLO keeps us looking.
Quick Summary of BOLO Meanings
Just so we’re clear, here’s the breakdown:
- Law Enforcement: Be On the Look Out (for suspects or missing persons).
- Reselling/Thrifting: A high-value item worth buying to flip for profit.
- Military History: A Filipino machete or a slang term for failing a qualification.
- Cultural Slang: A big guy or a bald head, depending on where you are standing.
Next Steps for the Curious
If you're interested in the law enforcement side, check out your local police department’s public social media pages. They often post active BOLOs for missing persons or persons of interest. It’s a good way to see the "official" format in action.
For the entrepreneurs, if you want to find your own BOLOs, start by researching "sold" listings on eBay. Look for weirdly specific items that have high "sell-through" rates. That's the secret to moving from a casual shopper to a pro hunter.
Finally, if you’re ever in the Philippines, try the food first before you worry about the knives. Just a tip.
Actionable Insight: The next time you see a BOLO posted online, look for the "unique identifiers." If the post doesn't have them, it’s likely useless. Effective communication in a crisis—or a business—relies on the details that others miss.