"No, I really don't think they'll keep their bargain." 

"These ones might, if we were willing to part with the key. Are you? I suspect a rescue is the more likely solution." 

"Yes, but I'm wondering why it's a bad idea to treat this like any other hostage situation and, well, tell the police."

"In most hostage situations, the kidnappers have fewer resources." 

"Do they? Here they seem to have mostly short-range Objects that don't seem to be significantly more destructive than a gun or maybe gasoline and a match."

"Most kidnappers can't kill their hostages instantly, let's say." 

"Can't they? Guns seem pretty instant."

"Would you like the truthful response, which is that I don't trust anyone at the station, or me for that matter, with one of these things? If they hear there are objects with powers out there...if we can't do it, I'll call it in."

"I'm not sure they should be told about the objects with powers. If we say they have unidentified but confirmed dangerous weapons, they need not know about their nature."

"Alright. Should I make the call?"

"I'm not sure yet. I'd rather we discuss our options more before committing to any course of action. What are the standard operations when someone is taken hostage?"

"Well, typically, I would call in the FBI. Since I'm with the local department, and we don't have the resources for a kidnapping with ransom."

"Do you know if the FBI knows about the Objects?" she asks Alan.

"Not on the institutional level, but I'm sure some individuals do. If we're bringing them in, we may have unwanted attention."

"Of course they do. So maybe..."

They continue strategizing and eventually conclude their priority should be snatching Stiles as early as possible. Involving the FBI would be undesirable but ultimately the correct option in case they cannot solve this today.

First, they need to scout the place, ideally from a distance. Is there any place they can go where they could do that with binoculars or a telescope?

They could probably use the roof of one of the other warehouses nearby, but they would need to take the key to get there. 

Does it have to be nearby?

Fairly close. No good vantage points outside the warehouse district. They don't have to be right across the street, though. 

Mmhm.

And if she tries—very slowly—to open a door into one of these warehouses and slip a webcam through to look for people there?

Then she will have a webcam well-placed to see anyone in the street or outside. Mostly, she sees two men in suits standing by one warehouse, checking their watches and chatting amicably.

Can she see the actual warehouse they're supposed to go to from there?

The warehouse they're looking for seems quite barren by comparison. They're both reasonably close. An easy mistake to make. 

Is there another warehouse close by she can try to access for a different vantage point?

There are certainly other vantage points, some of which let her see the sides of the warehouse- which don't have windows. 

If she wants a webcam for the back, she can have that too.