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.

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.

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 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.
• Always check the back seat of your car before getting in.
• If you stop to aid others, do not get out of the car. Ask what the problem is, and go to the nearest phone and call the police.
• Always lock 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.  
• Stall for time.
• Be verbally assertive.
• 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 weapons.

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.  
• 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.
• 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.
• Notify police immediately after an attack.

Home Protection

• Leave a radio on with the volume turned low to create some source of noise when leaving the home.
• Always close and lock garage doors.
• Secure automatic garage door transmitter in the glove compartment of your car.
• Always have lights on in more than one room when you are away at night.
• Empty your mailbox or arrange to have someone pick it and your newspaper up if you are away on a trip.
• Re-key locks when moving into an apartment or new or pre-owned homes.
• Never hide a key outside.