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Neighborhood
Watch
The
Advantages of a Neighborhood Watch
Starting a Neighborhood Watch
Suspicious Activities To Look For
Enhance your community Well-being
Neighbors
working together in cooperation with Law Enforcement makes
the best crime fighting team around!
The
advantages of a Neighborhood watch...
It is
one of the most effective and least costly ways to prevent
crime.
It forges bonds among area residents.
It helps reduce neighborhood crimes and creates a partnership
between law enforcement and the community.
It fights the isolation that crime both creates and feeds
upon.
Any community
resident can join a Neighborhood Watch; young or old; single
or married; renter of homeowner. Members can learn how to
make their homes more secure, watch out for each other and
the neighborhood, and report suspicious activities to the
local Sheriff's Department or Police Agency. You can form
a Neighborhood watch group for any area: a street, mobile
home park, apartment complex, marina, community recreation
center, or park. Neighborhood Watch groups are not vigilantes.
They are extra eyes and ears for reporting crime and helping
neighbors. Neighborhood Watch builds pride and serves as a
springboard for efforts that address community needs.
Starting
a Neighborhood Watch....
Contact
your local Sheriff's Station for assistance in training residents
in home security and reporting crime
Select
a block captain who will be responsible for organizing meetings
and relaying information to group members.
Encourage
participation and commitment among residents and neighbors.
Make a special effort to involve the elderly.
Suspicious
Activities To Look For....
Someone
screaming or shouting for help, or being forced into a vehicle.
Someone looking into windows or parked vehicles.
Property being taken out of closed business or houses where
no one is at home.
Vehicles cruising aimlessly.
Someone spraying graffiti on building.
Strangers sitting in a car, stopping to talk to kids.
Abandoned vehicles, suspicious people, unusual noises.
A sudden change in a neighbor's routine: Newspaper pilling
up, drapes drawn, mailbox overflowing with mail, etc.
Enhance
Your Community Well-Being...
Organize
regular meetings to discuss current issues such as:
Childcare for school age kids
Drug abuse
Gang activity
Hate crimes
Recreational activities for young people
Encourage
the use of deadbolt locks, smoke alarms and other safety devices
in home and commercial buildings.
Adopt
a school or playground; start a block parent program.
Form a
disaster preparedness program for your neighborhood.
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Business
Watch
Building
security
Theft Prevention
Forgery Prevention
Robbery
Personal security
What
You The Business Person Can DO...
The purpose
of Business Watch is to form and support groups with other
business to share information such as:
Business
and emergency phone numbers in the event of emergencies.
Alert each other regarding suspicious persons, potential shoplifters,
etc.
Work with local law enforcement agencies to provide employees
with training on theft prevention and personal safety.
Building
security...
The Address
and name of your business should be visible from the street.
Use large, reflective numbers.
Mark the address on rooftops for helicopter patrols.
Install floodlights for alleyways, rear and front entrances,
parking lots, etc.
Trim shrubbery and plants to prevent access.
Secure fire escape ladders to rooftops.
Don't hang advertisements, flyers or other items around windows
or doors which might obstruct view by cruising patrol cars.
Leave blinds partially open during closing hours.
Exterior doors should be solid core; rear doors facing alleyways
should be steel.
Glass doors should have mesh grill work.
Mylar window coverings are inexpensive deterrents.
Theft
Prevention...
Maintain
an inventory of all office equipment; include the make, model
and serial number of each item.
Engrave your business name and a traceable number on each
item, i.e., driver's license.
Secure removable equipment with cables.
Keep a log of keys issued to employees; use interchangeable
cylinders on locks; change keys and combinations periodically.
Install convex and wall mirrors.
Place high cost merchandise near cash register.
Small, expensive items should be kept in locked cases.
Forgery
Prevention...
Stolen
credit card losses can be reduced by alertness and proper
security measures by you and your employees.
Check all credit card numbers against current "hot sheets"
listing.
Request valid ID and verify signatures when credit cards are
presented.
Contact store security and card issuer if you suspect fraud.
Robbery...
Install
a robbery alarm.
Place surveillance camera behind the cash register facing
the front counter.
Replace video tapes regularly.
Vary times and routs of travel for bank deposits.
Don't use money bags which make it obvious to would be robbers.
Keep a low balance in the cash register.
Place excess cash in a safe or deposit it.
Comply with a robber's demands. Don't be a hero!
Remain calm and concentrate on being a good witness.
Personal
security...
Keep purses
and personal valuables locked in desks or lockers.
Do not release personal information to strangers.
Have a least two employees, if possible open and close the
business.
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Personal
Safety
In
Your Home
On The Street
In Your Car
Perhaps
the single most important aspect to personal safety is TRUST
YOUR GUT FEELINGS. If things don't seem right, they probably
aren't SO GET OUT OF THERE!. Always be prepared. Be alert
and aware.
In
Your Home...
Never
open the door without knowing the person's identity.
Do not be afraid to ask for some identification.
Never let strangers into your home to use the phone. Make
the call for them.
Commit a mental description to mind.
Before entering your home, have your keys ready before you
reach the door.
If you suspect someone is in your home, DO NOT GO IN. Get
to a phone and dial 911.
Install good locks on all doors and windows; use them. never
hide keys outside.
Make sure your garage door is secure.
Close your blinds at night. Always lock the doors.
Do not let callers now you are home alone. Use "we"
instead of "I".
Never give out personal information over the phone.
If you live alone, use your first initial with your last name
on the mailbox of the phone directory listing.
If you get an obscene call, hang up immediately and notify
the Sheriff's Station .
On
The Street...
When leaving
home, make sure all the doors and windows are locked.
Bring a companion whenever possible.
Always try to travel in areas that are well lit and provide
high visibility.
Walk quickly and confidently to your destination while constantly
paying attention to what is going on around you.
Do not be afraid to make eye contact with those around you.
Use mirrors or reflectors see behind you.
Should you find yourself unavoidably alone, be extra alert
before entering an unsecured area.
Walk facing oncoming traffic.
Do not accept rides from strangers.
Do not take short cuts or go through poorly lit areas, deserted
streets, etc.
If you suspect you are being followed, go to the nearest populated
area such as a supermarket; or drive to the nearest Sheriff's,
Police or fire station.
In
Your Car...
Always
lock car doors after entering and before leaving your car.
Keep them locked while driving. Have your keys ready as you
approach your car.
Always park in well lit areas.
Do not leave any packages, mail or personal items exposed
in plain view.
If you suspect that you are being followed, drive directly
to the nearest Sheriff's, Police or Fire station, or a well
lit and populated location.
Do not stop to aid stranded motorists. Place a call for assistance
at the next populated stop.
Keep your car in good working condition.
Always travel with a full tank of gas in your car.
If your car breaks down, open the hood and turn on the emergency
lights.
If someone stops to help, ask them to call for assistance.
Keep your car doors locked and windows up until law enforcement
arrives.
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Tips
For The Disabled
General
Crime Prevention Tips
Home Security Tips
Consumer Protection Tips
Travel Safety
If You Become a Victim of a Crime
Disabled
persons face many physical challenges. This could make them
vulnerable to would-be assailants who assume the disabled
are incapable of protecting themselves. If you are a disables
person, or know someone who is, the following information
may be helpful. Take the time to read and remember these tips.
You may be able to prevent yourself or a friend from becoming
a victim.
General
Crime Prevention Tips...
Know and
avoid situations and locations that could invite crime, i.e.,
dark alleys, unlit parking lots, etc.
Decide what you plan to do in the event you are confronted,
i.e., show confidence; scream, etc.
Consider your options in these situations and practice your
responses often so that you can recall them in a real situation.
Home
Security Tips...
Consider
having a peephole installed in your doors.
Make sure you have the proper locks on doors and windows and
use them while you are at home as well as when you are out.
Never open the door for a stranger.
Always demand verification of the stranger's identify and
the purpose of the visit.
Never tell a stranger calling by phone that you are alone
or that you are disabled.
Plan an avenue of escape from each room in your residence
to use in case of an emergency, such as a break-in or a disaster.
Consumer
Protection Tips...
Always
ask for identification from all solicitors and call their
agency for verification.
Don't commit yourself to purchase any charitable donations
over the phone.
Ask the caller to mail the information to you so you can make
an informed decision.
If you are not familiar with the company or organization,
consult the State Department of Consumer Affairs of the Better
Business Bureau.
Be sure to read and understand all contracts before you sign
them.
If your sight is impaired, have someone you trust read the
entire document to you.
Beware of anyone who is offering products or services at a
"once in a lifetime" offer.
Consider having your checks mailed directly to your bank to
avoid mail theft or robbery.
Travel
Safety...
Whenever
possible, travel with someone you know. There is safety in
numbers.
Leave word of tour plans with family of friends - including
your ultimate destination and estimated time of return.
When waiting for a bus, train, etc., wait in a centralized
location near other passengers.
Keep your handbags and packages on your lap instead of on
the floor or on the seat next to you.
Consider using travelers checks instead of carrying cash.
Be aware of those around you, particularly when exiting a
bus of train.
If you have a speech or hearing impairment, always carry a
card of communication symbols.
If
You Become a Victim of a Crime...
Get help
immediately by calling: the sheriff's department, the police
department, a doctor, a friend, a relative. Try to remember
as many details about the assailant as possible, such as clothing,
hair color, identifiable marks, etc. Be certain not to destroy
any possible evidence.
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