What is "reasonable suspicion" in a law enforcement context?

Reasonable suspicion refers to the legal standard that permits law enforcement officers to stop and briefly detain a person when they have specific, articulable facts that suggest a crime may be afoot or that the person is involved in criminal activity. This standard is less rigorous than what is required for an arrest (which would necessitate probable cause) but is based on more than just a vague feeling or intuition. Officers must be able to point to certain behaviors or circumstances that lead them to suspect that illegal activity is occurring or is about to occur. This standard balances the need for effective law enforcement with the rights of individuals, allowing police to take necessary action while ensuring that stops are grounded in legitimate suspicions rather than arbitrary or purely subjective feelings.