Navigation

Main Navigation

Crime Prevention Tips

When leaving town, please call the police department so they can perform extra patrol at your residence and check for any suspicious activity. The following tips can help you and your family stay safer in our community.

Protecting Yourself at Home

Lock your door, even when you intend to return home shortly or even if you are just going down the hall. It take a ten seconds or less to enter an open room and steal your property.
Lock or secure doors and windows when you are alone or asleep.
Keep emergency numbers by your phone.
Do not let strangers enter your premises.
If someone asks to borrow your phone, offer to telephone for them instead of allowing them access.
Know your neighors.
Do not leave keys in hiding places; thieves will find them.
Call 911 to report suspicious persons or activity in or around your neighborhood.
Keep PIN cards in a safe place and keep your PIN number secret. If possible, only use ATMs during the day
If you find yourself in immediate danger, call 911; try to stay calm and get away at the first opportunity.

Protect Yourself While Walking

Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary.
Stay on well lit, commonly traveled routes. Always be aware of your surroundings.
Avoid shortcuts and dark, isolated areas.
Walk purposefully and confidently. Know where you are going adn poject a no-nonsense image.
If you feel threatened, cross the street, locate an emergency phone or enter a store or place of business, even if you have just left it.
Have your door keys ready; carry them in your pockets not buried in a purse.

Protecting Yourself

Look into your car before getting in. Lock doors and roll up windows once inside, for protection.
When you are inside your car, lock your doors for safety.
Never pick up hitchikers.
Drive to a police or fire station or open plen place of business if you feel you are being followed.
Do not stop to help occupants of stopped or disabled vehicles. Continue driving and call for assistance with your cell phone.
If your car breaks down, raise the hood, then lock yourself into your car. If someone stops and offers you help, remain in your car and ask them to phone for help. Do not worry about seeming rude.
If you are in trouble or feel you arein danger, don't be afraid to attract help any way you can. Scream, yell or run away to safety.
If you are traveling, plan your trip carefully and allow for factors such as weather, fatigue, facilities for lodging, food and fuel. Let someone know the route you intend to travel and your itinerary. This will help authorities in locating you if there is a need to do so.

Protect Your Vehicle

Always lock your car.
Do not leave tempting valuables or property inside the car. If you must, hide valuables in a secure location, such as the trunk, under the seat or any place out of view.
Consider installing a security alarm system for your vehicle.
Consider VIN etching the windows inside of your vehicle.
NEVER leave the title to your vehicle inside your vehicle.

Protect Yourself Against Fraud

Get a copy of your credit report every six months and check it to ensure there are o accounts you didn't open.
Never give your credit car number to someone who calls you on the telephone.
Read your monthly statements carefully and report any disrepancies immediately.
Rip up or shred your old checks and bills before putting them in the trash.
When you renew your driver's license, don't use your social security number too easily available.
Guard the PIN numbers you use on your various credit cards. Don't write them down in your personal planner, and don't leave them on a slip of paper in your purse or wallet.
Ask "Why?" when people request your financial information.

Your Vacation Checklist

Have good locks on the doors and windows and USE THEM.
Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you're away. It's a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.
Stop all deliveries or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages.
Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.
Plug in timers to turn lights, a radio or television on and off at appropriate times This helps to disguise the fact that you are away.
Turn the bell or ringer on your telephone down low. If a burglar is around, he won't be alerted to your absence by a ringing phone.

Don't announce your absence on answering machine messages.
Leave your blinds, shades and curtains in a normal position. Don't close them unless that is what you do when you are home.
Close and lock garage doors and windows. Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would. Vehicles parked outside should be moved occasionally to appear that they are being used.
Secure storage sheds, attic entrances and gates.
Tell your local police you plan to be away. Patrol officers may have the opportunity to periodically check your home.
Engrave your valuables as recommended in Operation ID. This simple step will allow your stolen property to be identified and returned to you if recovered by the police.

Main Navigation

Navigation

Main Navigation

Crime Prevention Tips

Protecting Yourself at Home

Lock your door, even when you intend to return home shortly or even if you are just going down the hall. It take a ten seconds or less to enter an open room and steal your property.

Lock or secure doors and windows when you are alone or asleep.

Keep emergency numbers by your phone.

Do not let strangers enter your premises.

If someone asks to borrow your phone, offer to telephone for them instead of allowing them access.

Know your neighors.

Do not leave keys in hiding places; thieves will find them.

Call 911 to report suspicious persons or activity in or around your neighborhood.

Keep PIN cards in a safe place and keep your PIN number secret. If possible, only use ATMs during the day

If you find yourself in immediate danger, call 911; try to stay calm and get away at the first opportunity.

Protect Yourself While Walking

Avoid walking alone at night unless absolutely necessary.

Stay on well lit, commonly traveled routes. Always be aware of your surroundings.

Avoid shortcuts and dark, isolated areas.

Walk purposefully and confidently. Know where you are going adn poject a no-nonsense image.

If you feel threatened, cross the street, locate an emergency phone or enter a store or place of business, even if you have just left it.

Have your door keys ready; carry them in your pockets not buried in a purse.

Protecting Yourself

Look into your car before getting in. Lock doors and roll up windows once inside, for protection.

When you are inside your car, lock your doors for safety.

Never pick up hitchikers.

Drive to a police or fire station or open plen place of business if you feel you are being followed.

Do not stop to help occupants of stopped or disabled vehicles. Continue driving and call for assistance with your cell phone.

If your car breaks down, raise the hood, then lock yourself into your car. If someone stops and offers you help, remain in your car and ask them to phone for help. Do not worry about seeming rude.

If you are in trouble or feel you arein danger, don't be afraid to attract help any way you can. Scream, yell or run away to safety.

If you are traveling, plan your trip carefully and allow for factors such as weather, fatigue, facilities for lodging, food and fuel. Let someone know the route you intend to travel and your itinerary. This will help authorities in locating you if there is a need to do so.

Protect Your Vehicle

Always lock your car.

Do not leave tempting valuables or property inside the car. If you must, hide valuables in a secure location, such as the trunk, under the seat or any place out of view.

Consider installing a security alarm system for your vehicle.

Consider VIN etching the windows inside of your vehicle.

NEVER leave the title to your vehicle inside your vehicle.

Protect Yourself Against Fraud

Get a copy of your credit report every six months and check it to ensure there are o accounts you didn't open.

Never give your credit car number to someone who calls you on the telephone.

Read your monthly statements carefully and report any disrepancies immediately.

Rip up or shred your old checks and bills before putting them in the trash.

When you renew your driver's license, don't use your social security number too easily available.

Guard the PIN numbers you use on your various credit cards. Don't write them down in your personal planner, and don't leave them on a slip of paper in your purse or wallet.

Ask "Why?" when people request your financial information.

Your Vacation Checklist

Have good locks on the doors and windows and USE THEM.

Ask a neighbor to watch the house while you're away. It's a good idea to leave your vacation address and telephone number with a neighbor so you can be reached in case of an emergency.

Stop all deliveries or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers and packages.

Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, rake leaves and maintain the yard to give the home a lived-in look.

Plug in timers to turn lights, a radio or television on and off at appropriate times This helps to disguise the fact that you are away.

Turn the bell or ringer on your telephone down low. If a burglar is around, he won't be alerted to your absence by a ringing phone.

Don't announce your absence on answering machine messages.

Leave your blinds, shades and curtains in a normal position. Don't close them unless that is what you do when you are home.

Close and lock garage doors and windows. Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you leave your car at home, park it as you normally would. Vehicles parked outside should be moved occasionally to appear that they are being used.

Secure storage sheds, attic entrances and gates.

Tell your local police you plan to be away. Patrol officers may have the opportunity to periodically check your home.

Engrave your valuables as recommended in Operation ID. This simple step will allow your stolen property to be identified and returned to you if recovered by the police.