Burglary Prevention

Burglary is a crime of opportunity.  Making it hard on the criminal increases your chances of stopping them before they get in.
To a burglar visibility means vulnerability so keep the bushes around your house trimmed.
Burglars try doors and windows first.  If they have trouble with your doors they will usually move on to some other property.

• Doors:  Need good strong locks and deadbolts
• Hinges: Make sure the hinges are not accessible to the thief
• Padlocks: Get good sturdy padlocks and the padlock is only good as the hasp
• Door Construction: Replace hollow doors with solid doors
• Key Control: Restrict key access to your trusted friends.  Have locks re-keyed when someone moves
• Lighting: Light is a great crime deterrent.  Light up dark areas especially windows and doors
• Alarms: Let people know that you have an alarm by putting up stickers and signs

Auto Theft Prevention

Over 1 million cars are stolen every year. 

• Lock your car and take the key when you are not in the vehicle. 
• If you are carrying valuables store them in the trunk. 
• Park in well lit and busy areas

Write down and keep your cars vehicle identification number and tag number at home in a safe place.  If your car is stolen, the sooner we get the information, the better the chances we will recover your car.

License plates are frequently stolen from cars.  Get in the habit of checking your license plate.  A few drops of solder on the bolts or blurring the threads can help safe guard your plates.

Child Safety

Children are our most precious resource but because of their innocence they are prime targets.

• Reassure your child that they can be safer if they form good habits
• Encourage your child to confide in you about anything
• Teach your child the difference between good strangers and bad strangers.  Good strangers are police officers, fire fighters, etc
• Discourage your child from keeping bad secrets

Your child should know:

• Their full name
• Their address and phone number including the area code
• Their parents name and work telephone number
• Where to go for safety if you are not around
• Never open doors for people they don't know
• It is okay to run and scream for help if they feel threatened

How to make your child's school safer

This depends on a partnership between the parents, teachers and students.  Here is a short list of what parents should do:

• Work with your child to build their positive strengths
• Know where your kids are and what they are doing
• Help your child learn none violent ways to handle conflict
• Become involved in school activities - PTO, Field trips, helping out in class
• Encourage your child to report crime at or around school
• Make sure your school has consistent disciplinary procedures, good security procedures and a response plan to emergencies
• Make sure the school personal is training in conflict resolution, crisis intervention and counseling

Senior Crime Prevention

3 rules to promote senior crime prevention

• Stay alert - be aware of your surroundings
• Stand tall - have confidence and don't show fear
• Trust your instincts - if something does no feel right, leave

Fraud and Con Artist: If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is...

Here are some tips to alert you to possible scams:

If someone says...

• You must act now
• You have won a free gift
• Pay only postage and handling
• You can't afford to miss this "high profit, no risk" offer

If you are a victim of a crime:

• Do not resist
• Never pursue the attacker
• Call the police by dialing 911
• Report the crime to your local authority

Identity Theft Prevention

Avoid becoming a victim by:

• Promptly removing your mail from your mailbox
• Deposit outgoing mail at the post office
• Never give personal information over the telephone
• Shred pre-approved credit applications, credit card receipts, bills...
• Empty your wallet of extra credit cards and IDs.  Cancel ones you don't need
• Check your credit report once a year
  • Equifax: 1-800-997-2493
  • Experian: 1-888-397-3742
  • TransUnion: 1-800-916-8800
• Memorize your Social Security number and PINs

If you do become an Identity Theft victim:

• Contact your creditors by phone and in writing to notify them of the problem
• Contact your nearest Postal Inspection Service Official (www.ups.gov/postalinspectors) and law enforcement
• Contact the Federal Trade Commission to report the problem ( 1-877-IDTHEFT)
• Contact the 3 credit bureaus (listed above) to report the problem
• Alert your banks to flag your accounts
• Keep a log of what you do
• Contact the Social Security Administrations Fraud Hotline (1-800-269-0271)
• Contact the Department of Motor Vehicles to see if any other license were issued with your information.