SAFETY IN GENERAL...FOR CHILDREN
back to top

In the interest of keeping our children safe from those that would prey on them for sexual and criminal purposes, consider the following tips…

1.Children should be encouraged to always ask permission from their caregiver before they go anywhere.  They should tell the caregiver where they will be at all times, how they will get there, who they are going with, who will be supervising them when they are there, and when they will be back.

2.Children should never walk or ride their bikes alone. They should travel in groups whenever possible, even while at their bus stop.  Use the “buddy system.” At least one parent should always be watching each bus stop during the time the children are waiting for the bus and when the children come home and get off the bus.

3.Children should be taught to never go near strangers. Often sex offenders will lure children close enough to grab by asking them for directions, offering to show them a puppy, giving them candy, or telling them that their parents told them to give them a ride somewhere.  Grown-ups who need help should not be asking children, they should ask other adults. Children should be taught to say “no” and run, or scream, or fight if necessary.

4.Children should be encouraged to go to an adult they trust if something happens that frightens them.  They should be told it is not their fault if someone touches them in a way that is not O.K., and that they shouldn’t keep those “touches” a secret. Children that are not listened to or whose needs are not met in the home are more vulnerable to abduction or exploitation.

5.Children should be told that no problem is too big or too small to ask grown-ups about.  It is never too late to ask for help, and to keep asking until they get the help they need.

6. Many child molesting cases involve a family-member or family friend (i.e. stepfather, sister’s boyfriend, uncles, babysitters, neighbor, etc.)  Although rare, even women can be molesters.  Keep in mind that the molester is often the last person the parents would have suspected.
 

SAFETY IN GENERAL...FOR ADULTS   
back to top     

Even as adults we can be targeted by sex offenders and other criminals.  In the interest of protecting yourself, consider the following safety tips…

1. Always keep your doors locked at home.  Don’t open your door if you are not absolutely sure who is there.  If you don’t have a peep-hole…get one.  Once an attacker is in your home, he has you in a relatively isolated and sound-proof environment.

2. Don’t automatically trust an honest-looking clean-cut stranger.  In many cases the perpetrator may look fairly trustworthy or like a “nice-guy.” Be suspicious of everyone, no matter what they look like.  Often an attacker will be the last person you would have expected.

3. Don’t comply with an attacker’s demands that you get into a car.  Most attackers don’t want to shoot you, they want you to get into the car so they can drive you to a deserted location and torture you.  Run screaming, it is very likely that he will simply move on to an easier target.

4. Lock your doors while driving.  You are extremely vulnerable at traffic lights, stop signs, and in parking lots if your door is not locked.  The attacker simply walks up, opens the door, and jumps in before you can react.  A locked door will buy you time to drive away quickly.

5. If you are involved in a minor traffic accident or another driver is pointing at your car as if something is wrong with it…signal clearly to the other driver to follow you and then drive to a well-lit and populated area.  As long as you are still able to drive your car, there is no reason not to go to a place where you will be safe.

6. While walking through parking lots, keep your eyes open and stay alert.  Look between and under cars for hidden attackers.  When you return to your car have your keys ready in your hand and examine the backseat of your vehicle to make sure no one is hiding there.

7. At night, don’t be hesitant to ask an employee at stores, shopping centers, and hospitals for an escort to your car.  In almost all cases the business or hospital will have a security guard or an employee safely escort you to your car.  All you have to do is ask.

BURGLARY PREVENTION
back to top

Your home is filed with items that you love and cherish and it should be a place where you feel safe and secure.  It is a symbol of status and achievement, and in many ways it affects how individuals and families perceive themselves, and are perceived by others.

But do you know where your home security may be weak? Would you like to do more about potential burglaries than just writing down the serial numbers of you possessions. (You do have those written down and hidden somewhere, don't you?)

Below you will find a checklist and some tips to help you inspect your house for weaknesses that could leave you vulnerable to crime. Security is a matter of knowing the weaknesses, and getting a start on fixing them.  Check around you house, and if any of the statements listed below are NOT true...then think about correcting the problem. 

DOORS CHECKLIST

All outside doors are of metal or solid wood construction (this includes garage doors).

Your door frames are strong and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading.

Door hinges are protected from being removed from the outside.

All windows (including those set into doors) are more than 40 inches from the door locks.

Door locks are adequate (i.e. dead bolts) and in good repair. The strikes and strike-plates are in good condition, and properly installed.

Your locks are out of reach of any mail slots, delivery ports, or pet doors.

Storm doors are installed with adequate locks.

Your sliding glass door has an additional bar (ie a cut off board or broomstick) in place to prevent it from being lifted off its tracks or forced open.

GARAGE AND BASEMENT CHECKLIST

All entrances to the living quarters from the garage and basement areas are of metal or solid wood construction.

All entrances to the living quarters from the garage and basement areas have adequate locks that are in good condition, and strike plates that are properly installed.

WINDOWS CHECKLIST

All windows have adequate locks in operating condition (this includes your basement windows)

Your windows have screens or storm windows that lock from the inside

Your ladders are stored in a location where they could not be used to access second floor windows or your roof.

LIGHTING AND VISABILITY CHECKLIST

All entrances are lighted during hours of darkness with at least a 40 Watt light and the exterior of your home is adequately lighted so as not to provide good hiding place for buglars.

Your front door can be observed from the street or a public area.  Landscaping has been trimmed so that the areas around your doors and windows are not concealed.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLES
back to top

This is a crime that happens everywhere. Thefts from motor vehicles generally occur when criminals drive or walk through areas looking for vehicles that are unlocked or objects left in view.  It only takes a few seconds for a thief to break into your vehicle.

¨  Always lock your vehicle with the windows rolled up.

The harder it is for a thief to get into your car, the more likely he will move on to the next car.  Almost half our thefts from inside motor vehicles involve a vehicle being left unlocked.

¨  Don’t leave anything of value inside the vehicle in plain sight.

This includes cell phones, radios, briefcases, purses, packages, compact disks, and other valuables.  They should not be left in your car period, but obviously shouldn’t be in view.

¨  Items that you can’t take with you should be locked in the trunk.

If you can’t take your valuables with you when you leave the car, at least lock them in the trunk where they are the most difficult for a thief to locate and steal.

¨  Don’t leave your vehicle unoccupied with the keys in it.

Don’t do this even for a moment.  Why make it that easy for a criminal to drive off with your car?  This is especially true at convenience stores or with children in the car.

¨  If you have an anti-theft device for your vehicle…use it!

If you have a car alarm, set it.  If you have steering wheel “club,” lock it in place correctly.

¨  Make sure the license plates on your car are properly secured.

Make it difficult to remove your plate by securing it tightly.  When your year sticker is in place, run a razor across it several times to make it more difficult to remove in one piece.

¨  At night, park in well lighted areas.

Not only will this deter thieves from stealing from your car, but you will also be safer when you return to your vehicle.

¨  Report all incidents as quickly as possible to the police.

If you don’t report a crime, the Police Department won’t know there is a problem. 

Remember we have to watch out for each other.  If you see someone in trouble or you observe something you find suspicious…it is your responsibility to help. One of the most important things you can do is call 911.  If you were the one in trouble, you would want someone to help you and call 911….