CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

Preventing Vehicle Theft

• Park in open, well-lighted, and populated areas near your destination.
• Park in your garage, if you have one. Don’t leave your vehicle on the street, in an alley, or on your driveway. If you have to park on a street, avoid dark or isolated areas.
• Don’t leave spare keys in your vehicle. An experienced thief knows all the hiding places.
• Lock your car. Also, lock it while it's inside your garage.
• Never leave your car running and unattended, even for only a minute. Many vehicles are stolen on a wintry morning when the owner leaves it to warm up.

Preventing Theft From Your Vehicle

• Never leave any contents or valuables in plain sight. Remove cellular phones, audio systems, computers, packages, sport equipment, cameras, purses, etc. Lock them in the trunk before you park or take them with you. And if you can’t replace an item, don’t leave it anywhere in your vehicle.
• Don’t leave your driver’s license in the vehicle.
• Make sure the doors are locked upon exit.
• If you have valuable audio equipment that cannot be temporarily disassembled, invest in a quality car alarm.
• Record serial numbers of expensive vehicle electronics. Engrave a special or unique set of numbers on property if no serial number exist property. This will also enhance the recovery of stolen items to help return stolen property to its owner.

Personal Safety In your Automobile

• Never pickup hitchhikers.
• Don't park in the dark.
• Never leave your keys in the car.
• Never allow another vehicle to follow you home.
• Have your keys in hand so you can open the car door without delay.
• Always check the back seat of your car before getting in.
• When walking to your vehicle, get in the habit of carrying the keyless entry in your strong hand. Don't hesitate to use the panic button should you need to.
• Always keep your car in gear when stopped at a traffic signal or stop sign, so if threatened in any way, you can quickly drive away.
• Try to leave yourself enough room away from the bumper of the vehicle in front of you so if you need to get away fast, you won't be hindered with the lack of space in order to drive away quickly.
• If you stop to aid others, do not get out of the car. Ask what the problem is, and go to the nearest phone or use your cell phone to call the police. Dailing 911 for emergency services will not use up your minutes.
• Get into the habit of always locking your doors while driving.
• Always prearrange meeting with anyone so you do not have to wait alone.

IF YOU ARE ATTACKED

• Use common sense. Try to talk your way out of it and if you try this, talk loudly, so others might hear.
• Stall for time and try to remain as calm as you can under the circumstances.
• Be verbally assertive, not aggressive.
• Distract or divert the assailant, then flee. Run toward an open business or a group of people. Hide if you get the opportunity.
• Scream loudly, and keep it up to attract attention and help from people near by.
• If the attacker threatens you with a deadly weapon, and you come out of it alive, you took the proper course of action. During an armed attack, you must decide the proper course of action. There is no hard and fast rule as to self defense. You must consider your physical capabilities, your location, and your perceived chances of success. If you cannot escape, bide your time and look for another opportunity, a half-hearted attempt could be worse than no attempt at all.
• Notify the police immediately, when you get the opportunity, and if there are witnesses, ask them to stay until police arrive.
• It is not advisable to carry guns, clubs, knives, or chemical sprays. It is illegal to carry some of these weapons, and they could be used against you. It is advisable not to carry a firearm unless you have a concealed handgun license.

Purse Protection

• If at all possible, don't carry a purse. Carry your wallet, keys, and other valuables on your person, or in an inside pocket, or other suitable place, rather than your purse. The use of a fanny pack can be helpful.
• Credit cards and checks should be carried instead of cash. Maintain a record of the account numbers at home. Practice carrying only the cards you will be using.
• If you are wearing a coat, carry a purse worn over the shoulder, but under the coat.
• Watch your surroundings. Be alert for suspicious persons especially around banks, stores, streets, and your home. Don't hesitate to report suspicious people or activity to police.
• Practice the "buddy system", and shop with a friend when possible. When walking in twos, place your purse between you and your friend.
• If you are attacked, don't struggle. Your purse can easily be replaced; you can't be. If there is a witness, ask that person to stay until police arrive.
• When walking to your vehicle, get in the habit of carrying your keyless entry fob in your strong hand. Press the panic button if you find yourself in an uncomfortable situation.
• Try to remember details if you can. Police need to know clothing and physical description of the criminal(s), in addition to vehicle description and direction of travel. Remembering a license plate number can also be extremely beneficial to investigators.
• Notify police immediately after an attack. Police Dispatchers will also get medical personnel to you if they are needed.

Home Protection

• When leaving your home, leave a radio or television on with the volume turned to a normal setting to create some source of noise so would-be burglars will think someone is there.
• Always close and lock garage doors. Theft of items from your garage can happen even if you are home. By leaving your garage door open and unattended, would-be thieves will also know what goods are in your garage for future thefts.
• Secure automatic garage door transmitter in the glove compartment of your car or take it in your home with you. Some garage door openers are small enough now that they can be attached to your key ring.
• Always have lights on in more than one room when you are away at night. Investing in a simple programmable timer to automatically turn lights on and off could deter a burglar.
• Empty your mailbox or arrange to have someone pick it and your newspaper up if you are away on a trip.
• Ask a trusted neighbor to help watch your home while you are away. By getting to know your neighbors, you can help each other to keep watch over property and this lets both know when something is suspicious or not.
• Re-key locks when moving into an apartment or new or pre-owned homes. Quality deadbolt locks can make the difference in an easy entry versus a difficult entry by a burglar. The more difficult the entry, the less likely a thief will target your door.
• Never hide a key outside.
• Motion detecting lights are a good investment. Today's motion lights use technology that will stay on all night at low voltage and increase power upon motion detection.
• Keep shrubbery trimmed down to eliminate a burglar's concealment.
• A home security alarm is the absolute best investment in your home protection. You don't neccessarily have to pay for monthly monitoring fees. Many local and online electronic stores will help you with a "do-it-yourself" set up for your home perimeter. As long as you have a loud audible siren that will give warning of an intrusion, that might be enough to scare away a thief. It will certainly alert your neighbors to look out the window!