Personal Safety Tip
Be crime conscious – be aware of crime opportunities at all times!
The following are tips that can help you avoid becoming a victim of a crime when you are out and about, or working at your job. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself, and also discourage those who commit crimes. Burglars, robbers, and thieves seek primarily to remove cash or property. Many such intruders are capable of harming people with little provocation, so whether at work, at home, or out on the street, these precautions should be taken.
Personal Safety Tip
• Never walk around alone and don’t talk to strangers. Be on the lookout for strange cars or people.
• Walk in well-lit busy streets and in a group, if possible.
• Make sure your home is secure, and become a member of an armed response service. Be sure that you know all the emergency numbers or have them displayed in an accessible area.
• Always let someone know where you are going and how long you will be gone.
• But think twice before advertising your impending absence on social media. Criminals also have access to Facebook and Twitter.
• Know all emergency numbers.
• Trust your instinct.
• Avoid going onto a congested street where you cannot even walk properly, that is where you will find criminals pick pocketing.
• Avoid displaying valuables where criminals can see them.
• Always leave your headlights on when arriving home after dark until you have unlocked the garage door, or unlocked the front door.
• When arriving home by private vehicle or taxi, ask the driver to wait unto you are safely inside.
• Have the door key in your hand so you can open the door immediately when you return home.
• If you are a woman alone, list only your first initial and last name on the mailbox, or in the telephone directory.
• When moving into a new apartment or residence, ALWAYS have the locks re-keyed, or changed.
• Know who is at your door before opening it. Wide angle door viewers (180 degrees or 190 degrees) enable you to identify the visitor. You can see the person, that person can’t see you.
• Never rely on chain locks. They are a privacy lock, but not a security lock.
• Never dress in front of windows, always close your drapes.
• Never let anyone into your home without proper identification. Don’t be afraid to ask for identification.
• Never let strangers into your home to use the telephone. Make the call for them while they wait outside.
• Always leave outside lights on after dark, or use motion lights.
• If you receive a wrong number phone call, don’t give out your name or phone number.
• If you receive an obscene phone call, hang up and call police.
• In an apartment building, NEVER be alone in the laundry room.
• If you suspect anyone is in your house, do not go in. Go to a neighbor and call the police.
• If you see or hear anything suspicious, call the police 10111.
