Aggravated assault occurs every 31 seconds      Property crime occurs every 3 seconds      Rape occurs every 6 minutes      Auto theft occurs every 23 seconds      Theft occurs every 4 seconds      Burglary occurs every 13 seconds      Robbery occurs every 59 seconds      Murder occurs every 27 minutes      Violent crime occurs every 19 seconds     

What To Do When You're a Crime Victim

The 911 telephone system is standard nationwide to enable callers to reach emergency services by phone with a minimum of difficulty. If you have an emergency involving the safety of life or property, you are encouraged to make use of the system. In most areas, you may dial 911 from a pay phone without the need for coins. If your area has enhanced 911 with automatic number identification and automatic location identification, your name, address and telephone number will be displayed on a screen at the 911 operator's position when the connection is made. Help can be dispatched to your location even if you don't get a chance to say a word!

Burglary

If you arrive at your home or business and feel that it has been burglarized, DO NOT ENTER, but go to another location and call the police. Let the police search the property to make sure that no suspect is still present. Upon entering your home or business, do not touch things unnecessarily as you may disturb or destroy fingerprint and other evidence. Inform the police of anything that has been moved from its original position so that it can be checked for prints. Notify the police if you find anything that is not yours that may have been left behind by the burglar such as tools, clothing, etc. (Driver's licenses and other identification have been left behind by burglars before!) Be prepared to provide the police with serial numbers and a complete description of all missing property. Tell the police if you have engraved any of the items with your driver's license or other personalized number.

Robbery

You've heard it before and now here it is again: Never resist if you are the victim of a robbery. Do exactly as you are told to do in order to minimize your chances of being injured and to speed the departure of your assailant before he gets other ideas. The assailant, in most cases, doesn't want to hang around much longer than you want him to.

Your money and other valuables can hopefully be replaced. If they can't be replaced don't let that thought cause you to hesitate. You certainly cannot be replaced. Try to obtain a good description of the suspect(s) and the direction and mode (on foot, vehicle) of escape.

It's always a good idea to have a second billfold with a few dollars and a few important looking cards in it to give to an attacker should the need arise. Keep your real cash and cards in an interior pocket not easily accessible by the robber. Do not resist any attempt the attacker may make to search your pockets, however.

Con Games

The object of any con game is to cause you to part with your money or other thing of value. Most con games are initiated by people who approach you on the street or call on you at your home. Be suspicious of ANY plan, idea, scheme, business deal or whatever that requires you to part with your money on short notice. If you feel you have been the victim of a con game or an illegal business practice, notify the police. Do not be embarrassed or hesitant to tell the authorities for fear of ridicule. The sooner you notify the police the greater your chances of recovering your property. You may not be the only victim of whatever group is operating, and your statements and those of other victims may help in apprehending the suspects.

Hit and Run Accident

If you are involved in a traffic accident and the other driver leaves the scene, immediately try to see and remember or record the license plate number and description of the vehicle and the driver. You may only have a few seconds to do this. Also, try to notice where the damage is located on the vehicle. If you can SAFELY do so, and your vehicle is not disabled, and no one can do it for you, follow the suspect for a short distance to get the license plate number if you were not able to get it at the scene. The suspect will probaby be exceeding the speed limit so do not get involved in anything resembling a pursuit. Don't compound the problem by committing traffic violations and causing another accident for which you may be held responsible. If you cannot get the information in a short distance, return to the scene and notify the police. If other motorists are nearby, try to find a volunteer to follow the suspect to get the license number.

Ask witnesses to remain or at least leave their name and address and a written description of the suspect vehicle and driver. Be suspicious of drivers who do stop following the accident but ask you or offer you money not to call the police. This should alert you to immediately start recording license plate and other information. These drivers may decide to leave quickly.

Home Safety

Safety at your front door

1. Never automatically open your front door. Make sure you know your caller's identity before admitting him.
2. If the person at your door is a stranger, ask for identification to be passed under the door. If he is unable to do this, do not admit him.
3. It is advisable to have a wide angle viewer (peep-hole) in the door so that you can check a person's identity without unlocking your door.

Home Safety

1. All doors in your home leading to the outside should have dead-bolt locks.
2. When away at night, leave a light burning.
3. Do not leave a key over a door or under a mat.
4. The single lock on a garage door is inadequate to keep intruders from prying up the opposite side and crawling in. Use a padlock. But never leave it unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to it's position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and enters at his leisure, using "his" key.
5. Mark your valuables and keep an accurate record of all your most valuable possessions.
6. When leaving on a trip:
   • Stop all deliveries.
   • Connect a light to a timer.
   • Notify the police and have a neighbor check your home periodically.
   • Have someone maintain your lawn.
7. Be a concerned neighbor. If you see a suspicious person, car or situation, contact the police.

Safety for the Apartment Dweller

1. If you live in an apartment building with an intercom system to the front door, make sure the landlord keeps it in operating order.
2. Never admit anyone unless you are expecting him or know him.
3. Never admit anyone to the building who is there to see another tenant or to deliver something to another apartment.
4. Anyone asking admission so that he can do some work for another tenant should not be admitted, but should be referred to the building's manager.
5. If you see someone in your building who looks out of place or is acting suspiciously, contact the police.

Elevator Safety

1. Observe elevator interior before entering. Wait until the next elevator if you are uncertain of any occupant.
2. Females riding the elevator alone should always stand near the control panel. If accosted, press ALL buttons.
3. If a suspicious person enters the elevator, exit before the door closes.
4. Before exiting from the elevator, observe the corridor for suspicious activity.

When planning vacations or prolonged absences

• Discontinue milk, newspaper, and other deliveries by phone or in person ahead of time. Do not leave notes.
• Arrange for lawn care and have someone remove advertising circulars and other debris regularly. On the other hand, several toys scattered about will create an impression of occupancy.
• Notify the post office to forward your mail or have a trustworthy person pick it up daily.
• Apartment house tenants should also heed this hint since stuffed mail receptacles are a give-away when no one is home.
• Inform neighbors of your absence so they can be extra alert for suspicious persons.
• Leave a key with them so your place may be periodically inspected. Ask them to vary the positions of your shades and blinds.
• When you leave, do not publicize your plans. Some burglars specialize in reading newspaper accounts of other people's vacation activities.
• If you find a door or window has been forced or broken while you were away, DO NOT ENTER. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbor's phone immediately to summon police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up if a crime has occurred. Preserve the scene until police inspect for evidence.
• Always remember to:
  1. Lock before you leave.
  2. Trust a neighbor with a key.
  3. Be a concerned neighbor - yourself.

How to burglar-proof your doors

The majority of devices mentioned in this report cost very little. All of them will help reduce burglary and make your house or apartment more secure.

Begin with a home "security" check. Start with the front door and work clockwise around the entire inside of your home, finishing with the back yard, fence and shrubs, gates and garage.

Shrubbery should never block the view of your front door. This allows an intruder the opportunity of privacy to gain entrance. A wide angle viewer in the door lets you know your visitor in advance. This item is recommended over a chain lock.

Locks, bolts and hinges

Dead-latch

A dead-latch is an inexpensive lock set which keeps the burglar from simply slipping your door open with a plastic credit card. This method of entry is common in many areas, but very easy to prevent

Auxiliary deadbolt

1" Deadbolt, single cylinder with hardened cylinder guard, and thumb turn.

For extra security, a single cylinder dead bolt lock, with one inch throw and case-hardened insert, is recommended for all exterior doors. If you have easily breakable glass within 40 inches of a deadbolt lock, it should be augmented with a stronger type of glass or plastic to provide adequate security.

Most police departments do not recommend deadbolt locks for residential use. You may be adding additional security at the expense of personal safety with a double cylinder dead bolt. For example, you could lock yourself in and not be able to escape in case of fire or other emergency.

The Rim lock

1" dead bolt lock which is installed on the inside surface of the door. It is less expensive than other types of locks, but equally effective for security.

The "Jimmy Proof" Rim lock

Is another lock which is installed on the inside surface of the door. But this lock has vertical dead bolts, which is an approved locking device.

Cane bolts

1/2" diameter by 12" high installed at the top and bottom of the inactive door offers minimum security. Many homes with pairs of doors, use half-barrel slide bolts on the inactive door. These are weak and totally inadequate.

Flush bolts

Installed at the top and bottom of the inactive door or a pair of doors, flush bolts offer additional security, since the intruder cannot get at these devices to tamper with them if the doors are locked.

Hinge protection

Some exterior doors are improperly installed so that the hinges are installed from outside. To protect such a door from being lifte from it's hinges by pulling the hinge pin, follow these simple steps:

1. Remove two screws, opposite each other, from both leaves of the hinge.
2. Insert screw or concrete nail into jamb leaf, protruding 1/2"
3. Drill out the opposing screw hole in the door. Do this in the top and bottom hinge of the door. When closed, the hinge pins may be removed, but the door will remain firmly in place.

How to burglar-proof your windows

Many burglars enter homes by simply breaking glass windows. A good deterrent is to have better quality glass installed at vulnerable points around the perimeter of your residence. Most burglars avoid attempting to break the following types of glass for fear of attracting attention.

Laminated glass

is made by a vinyl or plastic interlayer sandwiched between two layers of glass. This type of glass adds additional strength to your windows. To gain entry, a burglar would have to strike the glass repeatedly in the same spot to make a small opening. Most burglars are reluctant to create this type of noise for fear of being detected.

Tempered glass

is made by placing a piece of regular glass in an oven, bringing it almost to the melting point, and then chilling it rapidly. This causes a skin to form around the glass. Fully tempered glass is four to five times stronger than regular glass.

Wired glass

adds the benefit of a visible deterrent. Extra effort will be needed to break the glass and then cut through the wire located within the glass, in order to gain entry.

Plastics

Plastic material is divided into two types: acrylic or polycarbonate. The acrylics are more than ten times stronger than glass of the same thickness and are commonly called plexiglass. Polycarbonate sheets are superior to acrylics and are advertised as 250 times more impact resistant than safety glass, and 20 more times than other transparent plastic.

Sliding windows

With these, the primary objective is to keep the window from sliding or being lifted up and out of the track. There are many manufactured products available for securing windows. Here are some of the suggestions:

Pinned window anti-slide block slide bolt

It is not recommended that you lock a windows in a ventilated position. This is an invitation to a prying action which can result in entry. Key locking devices offer no real security, and they can be a fire exit hazard.

Casement windows

are the simplest to secure. Make sure the latch works properly and that the "operator" has no excess play. If so, replace the worn hardware.

Double hung window

These latches may be jimmied open. If a window is not used, screw it shut (except bedrooms). For windows in use, drill a sloping hole into the top of the bottom window, through and into the bottom of the top window, and insert an easily removable pin or nail.

Louvre windows

are bad security risks. Remove and replace with solid glass or other type of ventilating window. Or protect with a grate or grille (except bedrooms).

Warning: One window in every bedroom on the ground and second floor must be left available as a fire exit, particularly for children and guests in your home. At night, the bedroom window may often be the quickest and safest means of getting out. Because of the danger of fire, decorative grilles are not recommended on bedroom windows.

How to select a burglar alarm

Burglars dislike noise - it attracts attention. A barking dog is the best deterrent in preventing burglaries. However, a watch dog cannot always be depended upon. Some professsional burglars have been known to carry delectable "dog snacks" in their pockets - and with a full stomach, some watch dogs make friends easily and forget their purpose of guarding the premesis. The most reilable safe-guard to protect your home and possessions is a reliable alarm. Many types of burglar alarms can be obtained for residential use. It is advisable, however, that basic hardware security measures be followed first. If additional security is desired, the following recommendations could be helpful.

1. Obtain estimates from three alarm companies, notifying each of this procedure.
2. An audible alarm is recommended over silent alarms for residential use in order to first protect persons, and secondly, property.

Don't depend entirely upon an alarm system to protect you - be sure to use proper locking devices. Any alarm system should include:

A. A battery-powered fail-safe back-up.
B. Fire-sensing capability.
C. Read-out ability to check if the system is working.
D. Horn sounding device installed in attic through vent.

When shopping for an alarm system, take this list with you.

Secondary Barrier

If the value of small personal items warrants protection, a secondary barrier is an additional safeguard. On a hinging door closet, install a 1" dead bolt lock. Store your jewels, furs, cameras, guns, silverware, and other valuables behind this barrier. Be sure to "pin" the hinges (as outlined in "How to burglar proof your doors").

How to reduce crime in your neighborhood

While we don't like to talk about it - or even think about it - crime is on the increase in America, and throughout the world. The number of burglars, muggers, auto thieves, robbers, purse snatchers, etc., is growing at an alarming rate. Now you, as a resident, working with neighbors can help reduce the crime rate. How? By organizing and/or joining a neighborhood program in which you and your neighbors get together to learn how to protect yourselves, your family, your home, and your property. Working together, you can get the criminals off your block and out of your area.

There's safety in numbers and prower through working with a group. You'll get to know your neighbors better, and working with them you can reduce crime, develop a more united community, provide an avenue of communications between police and citizens, establish on-going crime prevention techniques in your neighborhood, and renew citizen interest in community activity.

"Citizens Safety Projects" are set up to help you do this. It is a joint effort between private citizens and local police. Such programs have been started all over the country. Maybe one already exists in your community.

These organizations don't require frequent meetings (once a month or so). They don't ask anyone to take personal risks to prevent crime. They leave the responsibility for catching criminals where it belongs - with the police. This is NOT a "vigilante" group. These groups gather citizens together to learn crimve prevention from local authorities. You cooperate with your neighbors to report suspicious activities in the neighborhood, to keep an eye on homes when the resident is away, and to keep everyone in the area mindful of the standard precautions for property and self that should always be taken. Criminals avoid neighborhoods where such groups exist.

Through cooperation with local law enforcement agencies, some of the things you will learn - and all free - are:

1. What to do in an emergency.
2. How to best identify a suspicious person.
3. How to identify a vehicle being used in a suspected criminal activity.
4. Signs to watch out for before entering a house or apartment that may be in the process of being burglarized.
5. What to do in case of injury.
6. What to do about suspicious people loitering on your street.
7. How to identify stolen merchandise.
8. How to recognize auto theft in progress.
9. How to protect your house or apartment.
10. How to recognize a burglary in progress.
11. How to protect yourself and family - and much more.

It's easy to get your group started. All you have to do is contact your neighbors and arrange a date, place and time for the first meeting. Hold the meetings at your home or that of a neighbor. Try to plan a time that is convenient for most of your neighbors - preferably in the evening.

Then call your local police department. They will be happy to give your group informal lectures, free literature - and in many instances, window stickers and I.D. cards. Remember, police officers can't be everywhere. Your cooperation with them is for the benefit of you, your family, your neighbors, and your neighborhood.

Contact a crime prevention specialist at your local law enforcement agency. They will provide you with the latest information on crime prevention. Ask about an on-site crime prevention survey of your home or business. Also ask if your agency has a program to loan out engraving tools. If so, borrow one and mark your valuables with your driver's license number or whatever number your agency recommends.