Crime Prevention

Crime Prevention is everybody’s job! There are many ways that crime around neighborhoods and businesses can be prevented; however, it takes the proper methods of crime prevention to ensure that the likelihood of crime is substantially lowered.

Crime prevention is the anticipation, recognition, and the initiation of action to remove or reduce crime. Prevention may take place at any given time and any given location, due to the fact that crime is not centralized in one area. Public awareness is one of the most important strategies out there for reducing crime. The more aware the people are around you, the more “eyes” you have looking out for your well being. A neighborhood watch program can be developed, or a business watch program can be implemented by neighboring businesses.

The fact of the matter is that crime prevention works. It is cheaper, it is safer, and better for the communities to prevent crime than to have to treat their victims, deal with the perpetrators, and lose productivity.

In an effort to reduce crime, please read the following crime prevention tips.

HOME SAFETY

Inside your home

Keep windows and doors locked at all times.
Keep doors locked, particularly if you are working in the yard…quick thefts of purses or small items can be carried out by burglars who enter an opposite door when you are seen outside.
At night, use exterior lights as well as inside lights – even when you’re not home.
Secure sliding glass doors with a piece of wood in the track or with a nail inserted through a hole drilled in the door frame projecting into the fixed surface.
Lock windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and partway through the outside.
For horizontally sliding windows, use the same technique. Crank handles on casement windows should be removed.
Keep your shades closed at night so people cannot observe you. Do not leave easily-moved valuables close to windows or doors.
Do not keep valuables in obvious places – dresser drawers, under the mattress, etc. Use your imagination to find unique hiding places – 90% of us keep items of value in the bedroom; and burglars know that!
Do not leave extra keys in the mailbox or under a door mat.

Outside your home

Stairwell and sidewalk lighting is essential for security. Report or replace any broken lighting immediately.
Make sure all porches, entrances and yards are well lit.
Trim shrubbery that hides or obstructs doors and windows.
Do not leave notes indicating your whereabouts or plans.
Maintain your house. A well-taken-care-of home sends the message that you care about your belongings and have taken steps to protect your home.
If possible, use security cameras that allow you to review suspicious activity.
Do not have packages delivered to your home when you are not available to receive them. Use a work address, P.O. Box, or pick up packages at the delivery center.

More home safety

If you live alone, do not let strangers know. Invent a roommate or big dog.
Know which of your neighbors you can trust in an emergency.
Check who is at the door before opening it and do not open the door to an unexpected visitor. Make sure they know that you are home so they do not attempt to break in.
Ask for photo identification of all repair persons. If you are still suspicious, call to verify employment.
Never give personal information to telephone solicitors.
Consider creating a “safe room” with a separate telephone line or cellular phone, and strong locks. Make sure if someone breaks in, you can retreat and call for help.
Do not let strangers into your home to use the phone. Offer to make the call for them.
Do not use your full name on your mailbox or in the phone directory, or on your answering machine.
A cohesive neighborhood deters crime.
Be Alert.
Know your neighbors, have their numbers, and work together with your neighbors by looking out for suspicious and/or unusual behavior in the neighborhood.
If something seems questionable or to report suspicious activity, call the police.
Don’t enter your home if doors or windows are open that you don’t recall leaving open. Call the police from a safe distance.
Call your neighbor if you see a service or suspicious vehicle at their house while they are gone.
Call Pettis County Crime Stoppers or report online if you any information the whereabouts of any wanted thieves in your area.

PERSONAL SAFETY

Most victims of contact crime, whether it be a robbery or an assault, will tell you that they had the suspicion that something was not right moments before the crime occurred. Personal safety is not something we should practice in those moments. It is a lifestyle change to make you a harder target to criminals. Pettis County Crime Stoppers would like to offer you the following tips to help ensure your personal safety.

As always, if you see something suspicious do not hesitate to call the police. They are here to help us.

VEHICLE SAFETY

Pettis County Stoppers celebrates the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities. Our goal is to create a safe place to live, work, and play. Below we have including tips to help keep you safe in your vehicle.

Safety in the Car

Check the inside and around your car before entering to insure that no one is hiding there.
Check your surroundings before getting out of your car.
Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
Do not text or do other activities that distract your eyes from the road.
Keep doors locked and windows rolled up so that a hand can’t reach in.
If a group of suspicious people approaches you when you are stopped at a red light at a deserted intersection, run the light if your intuition tells you that the situation could get dangerous.
Don’t let gas indicator fall below ¼ tank.
Plan your route and check a map before you start out.
Park in well-lighted, heavily traveled areas if possible.
Try not to park next to large vehicles in which you cannot be seen from exiting your car.
Don’t leave ANYTHING inside your car.
Give only ignition key to attendant.
If you see an accident or stranded motorist, report it from the nearest telephone instead of stopping.
Carry the following in your car in case of emergencies: Flashlight, flares, fix-a-flat, extra tire and jack, maps, comfortable warm clothing, first aid kit, empty gas can, cell phone, charger.

IDENTITY THEFT

Identity Theft is Booming

This rather broad topic takes in any number of privacy crimes, including theft of a Social Security number, a credit or debit card, or even the pilfering of phone calling cards. The numbers associated with identity theft are beginning to add up fast. A recent General Accounting Office report estimates that as many as 750,000 Americans are victims of identity theft every year. And that number may be low, as many people choose not to report the crime or even know they’ve been victimized.

How It Can Happen

Officials say much of Identity Theft still comes down to hands-on mischief – things like ‘Dumpster diving,’ and ‘shoulder surfing.’ Officials also acknowledge that the Internet has opened avenues for theft. If nothing else, the Internet allows thieves to send stolen data to almost any worldwide location. One popular scam involves fake mortgage brokers and still another uses email in which the sender poses as an Internet service provider asking for information.

A Social Security card can also reap long-term fraudulent benefits. Virgil Gardaya, a corporate vice president with the credit bureau Equifax, notes that a stolen wallet containing a Social Security card lets a criminal quickly set up dummy bank and savings accounts. The very presence of the account may prompt the bank to give the criminal a credit card. From there, the con artist may waste little time maxing out the card, or take a bit more time and build up the card’s buying power. That can mean fraudulent purchases as pricey as cars and boats.

Simple Ways To Protect Yourself

There’s no ironclad protection that guarantees that you’ll never fall victim to some form of identity theft. But there are steps you can take to shield your privacy.

Remember to avoid S.C.A.M.s:

S: Be STINGY with your personal information. Don’t give out your Social Security number, bank account information or other personal or financial information to unknown persons or companies.

C: CHECK your financial information regularly. Most banks now offer online banking where you can monitor your account activity daily. Carefully review your monthly bank and credit card statements for unknown purchases or transactions.

A: ASK annually for a free copy of your credit report. Carefully review your report for inaccuracies.

M: MAIL THEFT is common. Consider purchasing a locking mailbox and placing outgoing mail in the secured boxes at the post office

Some Extra Tips To Help Protect Yourself

Destroy private records and statements.
Empty your mailbox quickly so criminals don’t have a chance to snatch credit card pitches, and lock your mailbox.
Don’t carry your Social Security (or Medicare card with Social Security) card with you, or any card that may have your number. Don’t put your number on your checks. Leave your driver’s license number off your checks as well.
Never leave ATM or gas station receipts behind.
Pay with cash as often as possible. When making an online purchase, look in the lower right hand corner of your browser window. If you see the icon of a lock, that means you’re dealing with a secure site. If you don’t see one, you’ll be safer finding another merchant.
Stick to well-known retailers or sites that others have used to their satisfaction.
Use only one credit card for online purchases. That way, if something amiss happens, it’ll be easier to spot on your bill. Be more defensive with personal information.
Ask salespeople and others if information such as a Social Security number of driver’s license is absolutely necessary. Ask anyone who requires your Social Security number – for instance, your insurance company – what their privacy policy is and whether you can arrange for the organization not to share that information with anyone else.
Check your credit report at least once a year to look for suspicious activity. If you spot something alert your card company or the creditor immediately.
Investigate credit bureau protection services. Such as Credit Watch from Equifax. Again, protecting yourself from security fraud is no sure thing. But there is plenty you can do if you uncover some wrongdoing.
If you get an unwanted e-mail, don’t click the “remove me” option, all that means is that the mail has hit an active address. Set up an e-mail garbage address. Use one e-mail address for transactions and activities that may lead to spams. Use another for all private communication.
Besieged by telephone solicitations? Just tell them not to call again. The Telephone Consumer Protection Act of 1991 stipulates that they have to do so if you ask. Do not engage in long conversations.
Contact your card company and find out how to take part in their “opt out” program. This prevents your name from being passed around to other companies you cardholder deals with.

GUN SAFETY

Pettis County Crime Stoppers celebrates the practice of crime prevention, while promoting awareness of important issues such as victimization, volunteerism, and creating safer, more caring communities.

Local emergency room hospital staff will tell you that they see gun shots wounds almost every day. Ranging from crime related shootings to self-inflicted. The worst type to see is an accidental wound that could have been prevented. The following simple tips will help you with options for safe gun storage.

Trigger Locks – simple and affordable option for preventing a gun from being loaded or fired by an unauthorized user. Most new guns are now sold with trigger lock right in the box.

Gun Cases – available at local sporting goods stores in a wide variety of shapes, sizes, and material options. Prices range from $10-$150 dollars. The primary role of this kind of affordable carry case is to protect one or more firearms from physical damage.

Strong Boxes and Security Cases – represents an effort by manufactures to provide gun owners with the anti-theft and gun-finish protection features of a locking gun. Prices vary greatly, anywhere from less than $50 to more than $300 based on the level of technology incorporated into the system.

Gun Safes – the most secure gun storage option available to the average gun owner. A basic, no frills safe is superior to any other storage options discussed so far in preventing unauthorized access to firearms. Prices vary from $500 to more than $2,500.

If a child should encounter a firearm in an unsupervised setting they should remember – “If you see a gun: STOP! Don’t Touch. Leave the Area. Tell an Adult.” This message is simple, easy to remember and fun for kids to learn.