COMMUNITY SAFETY

1. LOCKS: Secure doors with a good quality single or double-cylinder lock. Features of a good deadbolt are:
2. DOOR VIEWER: Install a wide-angle door viewer of not less than 190 degrees.
3. HINGES: To protect the door from being lifted from its hinges by pulling the hinge pin, follow these simple steps:
4. KICK PANEL: If the door has a kick panel, it may be kicked in, enabling the burglar  to reach in and unlatch the lock. To alleviate this problem, replace  with a solid core door or cover the panel with a grillwork or plywood or  heavy-gauge, impact-resistant plastic, such as Plexiglas. Fasten the  plywood, grillwork, or Plexiglas to the door with the carriage bolts or  other types of bolts or screws that cannot be removed from the exterior  of the door. If the door has a window, protect with grillwork or  Plexiglas.
5. HOLLOW CORE DOORS: Replace hollow core doors with solid core doors or face the hollow door with plywood. Fasten the carriage bolts.
6. SLIDING DOOR: The sliding door can be lifted from its track. To prevent this, with  the door in the full open position, insert a 2ft. length of wood framing  in the upper channel of the door frame. The wood must be the width of  the channel. Screw the wood firmly into the frame channel, making sure  the door will still slide freely. An alternative method is to drill four  staggered holes in the upper channel of the door frame. Install sheet  metal screws, letting them protrude just enough so the door can slide  freely. Note: Use the first method if door has a hollow channel on top.  Also consider a keyed sliding door lock that locks on the inside of the  frame.
7. SLIDING WINDOWS: The sliding window can also be lifted out of its track. Drill holes,  putting sheet metal screws in the upper channel across the top. Screw  heads must be large enough so they do not drop down into the channel. An  alternative method is to slide a wooden dowel in the upper channel of  the window to prevent the window from being lifted out, but still  allowing it to slide. Also add an anti-slide device, screw-on, slide  bolt or key lock.
8. DOUBLE-HUNG WINDOWS: To properly secure double-hung windows, drill a downward sloping hole  into the top of the bottom window (each corner) through, and into, the  bottom of the top window and insert a pin or carriage bolt which can be  easily removed by hand. Another consideration would be to replace  existing thumb latch with a keyed locking device. *See Warning
9. LOUVERED WINDOWS: are  poor security risks. Remove and replace with solid glass, or another  type of ventilating window, or put epoxy glue on the ends of the glass  to permanently attach the panes to the frame to prevent easy removal. If  these methods are not feasible, protect the window with a grate or  grill.
10. SLIDE BOLTS AND PADLOCKS: are  recommended for both exterior sides of the garage door. Because of the  amount of flex in the door, one slide bolt and padlock is not  sufficient. Be sure that the slide bolts are of case-hardened metal.  When installed, carriage bolts should be inserted from the outside to  prevent removal. If it is convenient to lock the garage door from the  inside, another method of securing the door is to drill a hole through  the bottom frame at both ends of the door and into the concrete at least  three inches. Then insert a cane bolt or heavy bolt through the frame  and into the floor. Roll-up garage doors can be secured by drilling a  hole in the middle of the track behind the last roller and inserting a  padlock on each side. If the door is secured with an automatic door  opener, also use inside cane or slide bolts for added security when away  for extended periods.
11. LIGHTING: One key to burglary prevention is adequate interior and exterior  lighting. For the interior of the home, timers on the lights are  recommended. For the exterior, each outside doorway should be lighted  with a minimum of a 60 watt light over the entrances. For homes with  wide or deep yards or parking areas, a high-pressure sodium security  light with a light sensor (photo-electric cell) may be considered.
12. EXTERIOR ELECTRICAL BOXES: Place  a padlock on exterior electrical boxes to prevent someone from turning  off the power to the residence. Note: Keep the key readily available in  case of emergency.
13. GATES: should be equipped with a hasp, latch, or slide bolt made of hardened  metal. The hasp, latch, or slide bolt must be installed with carriage  bolts through the door or gate. Use large washers on the inside. After  the nuts are secured, deface the threads of the bolt ends to keep the  nuts from being removed. Use a good padlock to secure the door or gate.
14. ALL PADLOCKS: should be of case-hardened metal construction and have both heel and  toe locking features with a minimum 9/32″ shackle. (Naturally, heavier  shackles offer additional security.)
15. SHRUBBERY:  provides concealment for burglars. Always keep it trimmed, away from doors, windows, and yard lighting.
16. PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION: It is recommended that you engrave your Driver’s License number in an  obvious place on your valuable property. This enables the Police to  identify your property. In addition, it acts as a deterrent to a  burglar, as most burglars do not like to take engraved items. If you own  property that cannot be engraved you should photograph each item  individually. On the back of each photograph write a description, the  date of purchase and the serial number. It is strongly recommended that  you keep an inventory list of all your property, listing serial numbers,  when applicable.
17. SMOKE DETECTORS: should be used in all homes and apartments for early warning of fire to allow for escape.

*WARNING:  One window in every bedroom on the ground and second floor should be  left available as a fire exit, particularly to children and guests in  your home. At night, the bedroom windows may often be the quickest and  safest means of getting out. Always leave the key in the double cylinder  lock when asleep or at home for quick exit in case of emergency.

Secure  all windows and install a deadbolt lock on your apartment door as well a  wide-angle viewer (peephole) for proper security. NEVER depend on a  chain lock. Use your peephole to “interview” strangers at your door. Ask  all salesmen, solicitors, information seekers, etc., to produce valid  credentials such as a driver’s license and/or employee I.D. Any stranger  who does not cooperate should be reported to the police as a potential  threat. Use the intercom system wisely if available. If you do not know  the person or persons who rang your bell, do not “buzz” the door for  them to enter your building.Cooperate with all other tenants in  keeping the outer main doors locked. Do not permit strangers to enter  the building as you are leaving or entering. The main entrance front  door is a critical area for security. There must be a building policy in  force that requires all nonresidents to be screened outside the main  entrance door by the tenant who is being visited to prevent unauthorized  access.Avoid using the laundromat in your apartment complex by  yourself, especially at nighttime. Team up with a neighbor. If you are a  woman living alone, do not place your full name on the identification  slot or in the telephone directory. Use first and middle initials.  Example: “M.C. Smith” rather than “Mary Smith”. Be especially careful in  carport areas. Lock your car. When entering or leaving, look around and  be sure no one is lurking in the area. If you do see someone loitering  (that doesn’t belong) leave immediately and notify the manager or call  the police.If there is a storage compartment in the carport,  don’t place valuable items in them and expect that they will be secure. A  good quality padlock should be used with a well secured hasp. Don’t  leave notes for the paper-boy or building manager advertising your  absence. Have deliveries picked up by a friend or neighbor while on  vacation. Use a timer for lamp or radio to give your apartment an  occupied sound or look.Develop a buddy system or apartment alert  system with your neighbors in the apartment house to help protect each  other’s property. A well organized and active tenant association would  be most helpful. Notify the building manager if you leave for an  extended vacation and whether you will have a house sitter or someone  caring for your apartment. Observe elevator interior before entering.  Wait until the next elevator if you are uncertain of any occupant.  Females riding alone should always stand near the control panel. If  accosted, press all buttons including the alarm. If a suspicious person  enters the elevator, exit before the door closes. Also, before exiting  from the elevator, observe the corridor for suspicious activity.A  key cylinder should be changed within the lock if keys are lost and  they clearly identify the location of your building or apartment. This  should also be done if the apartment was formerly occupied and you are  the new tenant. If you do see someone in your apartment complex that you  do not recognize or who may be acting unusual, call the manager or  police IMMEDIATELY. So many burglaries could be  prevented if more people would report suspicious happenings. When you  see a stranger carrying items out of a neighbor’s apartment, PLEASE CALL. Don’t feel like you are being a nuisance, the police will welcome your alertness.

Many  times, burglars will use the guise of looking for a “friend” or posing  as a salesman. The posting and enforcement of “No Soliciting” signs can  greatly reduce the number of unauthorized individuals that wander  through a complex. Unauthorized foot traffic in common areas can also be  discouraged by use of gates with spring closures. Security lighting is  an important aspect in the prevention of theft and assault on both  interior and exterior portions of the building carport, stairwell,  laundry room, alley, recreation room, and patio lighting should be on a  timer system and the bulbs should be of adequate wattage to provide the  desired effect. Burnt-out bulbs should be replaced promptly. How long  has it been since the locks have been re-keyed? This is a rather  inexpensive process and one that should be done after an apartment has  been vacated twice. Ask your tenants to refrain from having extra keys  made without notifying you and NEVER lend out the master key.

PERSONAL PROTECTION: Most  of us have been the victim of either a burglary or theft and have felt  the emotional and financial effects of such property crime. Violent  crimes such as murder, rape, assault and robbery have a much greater  impact on our lifestyle. Our inherent fear of a violent confrontation  causes most of us to make everyday decisions based on our personal  safety. “Is this a safe Neighborhood?” or “Is it safe to take a walk at  night” are frequent questions that reflect a concern that controls our  behavior. How can we minimize our fear of violent crime? What steps can  be taken to actually reduce our vulnerability to crime such as street  robbery? The following will shed some light on these questions.

PEDESTRIANS:  Plan so that you are most visible to other people. This means that if  you must walk alone, choose open, well lighted and well-traveled areas.  Crooks don’t like to strike where eyewitnesses can provide the police  with a detailed account. Leave your purse at home if possible. If you  must carry one, hold it firmly, close to your body. Purse snatchers  prefer to grab from behind. If you walk or jog, especially at night,  consider getting a dog that can accompany you on a leash. Criminal  offenders relate that a dog is one of the most effective crime  deterrents.If you work late hours, arrange to leave at the same  time as a co-worker. Try to avoid parking far away from your worksite.  Be aware of your surroundings at all times by making eye contact with  passersby and glancing occasionally behind you. This type of “body  language” will make you less attractive to a prospective mugger. If you  sense that you are being followed, change direction or cross the street.  If the person persists, run to the nearest place where you’ll find  people.DON’T allow a stranger to follow you to your doorstep. Go  to a public place where you can call the police whenever you feel  threatened. When fleeing from danger alert others as well as the person  posing a threat. Yell “Fire…Fire…Fire!” or activate an alarm device such  as an aerosol shriek alarm. This device is a hand held noisemaker that,  when carried, may dissuade a crook from choosing you in the first  place.

DRIVERS: Avoid fumbling for your keys; have them in your hand as you approach  your car. Always check the back seat for uninvited guests before getting  inside. Keep enough gas in the tank so you won’t get stranded. Keep all  doors locked and windows rolled up most of the way. Stay on  well-traveled, well-lighted roads. If you are being followed by another  car, drive into an open gas station, stay in your car, and ask the  attendant to call the police. Better yet, drive straight to the nearest  police station for assistance. Park only in well-lighted areas at night.  Check for strangers who might be “casing” the area before you exit your  car. Honk your horn and drive away if such a person advances toward  you.If you are “rear-ended” by another vehicle, motion for the  driver to follow you to a public place. “Bump and rob” artists stage  such accidents to lure unsuspecting drivers out of their cars to rob  them of their wallet or purse. If a driver won’t follow you, obtain as  thorough a description as you can and report the incident to the police.If  your car breaks down, seek a phone or call box only if safe to do so.  Place a “Call Police” banner in your rear window and raise the hood. If a  “good Samaritan” approaches, crack a window and ask them to call the  police or your tow company.

AT HOME:  Check for signs of forced entry such as broken glass, a torn screen or  pry marks before venturing inside. Make it a habit to leave a few  dollars out in the open near your entry way. Back out quietly if you see  the money is gone. NEVER feel reluctant to call the police if you sense  a possibility of an intruder inside. Screen all strangers knocking at  your door. Interview them through a one-way peephole while your door is  locked. Anyone who refuses to present his or her employee I.D. upon  request should be reported to the police.Properly secure all  openings at nighttime. “Cat burglars” are deterred when the only means  of gaining entry would require breaking glass or smashing a door. Don’t  assume that upper floor windows are too high for a burglar’s reach.

IF YOU ARE A VICTIM…  Some confrontations are unavoidable. When you consider that 4 out of 10  violent crime victimizations by strangers involve an armed offender,  it’s vital that you be prepared to minimize your risk of injury. Be  willing to give up your valuables. A purse, wallet or jewelry is not  worth fighting for when facing someone wielding a weapon. Carry only as  much cash as you need. If confronted, try to stay calm. An assailant  will be less likely to attack you if you appear controlled and  self-confident. Try to mentally note your assailant’s appearance without  staring.Use physical self- defense techniques only as a last  resort to protect yourself when attacked. Go to the phone and dial 9-1-1  as soon as possible. Let the police operator take charge and instruct  you. Remember, your quick actions in notifying the police will increase  their chance of apprehending the suspect and preventing future victims.Victim/Witness  Assistance: Being the victim of a violent crime can have lasting  emotional effects. If you are a victim, don’t suppress your feelings of  anger or frustration. If you are the friend or relative of a victim,  lend your emotional support by being available to listen.

Steps to Escaping the Violence
GET TO A SAFE PLACE!
It’s  a crime to threaten or hit another person. If you are the victim of  domestic violence, you have the right to protect yourself and to expect  help from others.
Don’t stay in your home. Doing nothing solves nothing. Go to a friend, neighbor, or relative.
Temporary  shelter is available for battered persons and their children. The  important thing is to get to a safe place as quickly as possible!
CALL THE POLICE!
If  you are in a battering relationship, you cannot control the situation,  therefore it is important to report any assault or battery to the police  department by calling 9-1-1 immediately.
The sooner you report a  battering the better. By allowing others to become involved you are  helping yourself, and helping the batterer.
FOLLOW THROUGH!
If  there is enough evidence against your assailant, an arrest will be  made. There will be an arraignment before a judge and bail will be set.
If  bond is posted, the batterer will be released until a pre-trial hearing  is held. It is common for victims to fear for their safety during this  time. You are a witness in the case, and tampering with a witness is a  crime. If you are harassed or threatened by anyone regarding the case,  report it to the police and ask that action be taken.
DON’T BELIEVE… “I’ll NEVER HIT AGAIN”
Criminal prosecution and/or civil action (divorce or separation) are options for any battered person. Often  the batterer is unable to admit there is a problem. Counseling is only  helpful if both partners want help and are motivated to work together.  If the abuse is habitual or extremely violent, the batterer may need  long term therapy.
CONSIDER YOUR FUTURE SAFETY
If the  batterer refuses to seek help, it is unlikely the beatings will stop.  Statistics show the beatings will become more and more severe. Protect  yourself.
LOOK FOR HELP!
You’re not alone.
If you are  planning to set up a separate residence, do some planning in advance and  locate resources to support you in the first few weeks. Check with  private social service agencies, churches or the battered women’s  shelters.
Don’t be ashamed to ask for help!

Every  year unsuspecting citizens are swindled out of their savings by con  artists; smooth talking, often convincing criminals who seek by various  schemes to separate honest people from their money.While these  criminals prey primarily on the elderly, every one of us is susceptible;  men and women, the successful and the unemployed, working people and  the retired. You could be approached by a con artist almost anywhere,  out-side a bank or savings and loan, at a bus stop, at a Senior Citizens  meeting, while you’re shopping, or at your home.While approaches  may vary, and the con artist may appear perfectly normal and friendly,  there inevitably comes a time when you will be asked to withdraw money  from your savings. The reason for this may seem logical; to show your  “good faith”…to help in the investigation of a “dishonest employee.” BE  ON YOUR GUARD. If you do turn over money to one of these people, even  for a moment, you will never see it again.The following are three common “bunco” schemes:THE  EXAMINER SCHEME – If a stranger tells you that he or she is an examiner  or investigator and asks you to help catch a dishonest employee,  BEWARE. If you seem interested, the con artist will say he or she will  re-deposit your money in such a way that the “dishonest” teller will be  caught red-handed. The phony examiner will pick up your money and give  you a fake receipt, never to be seen or heard from again A simple  preventative measure would be to call and check with your financial  institution before doing anything. Banks never involve their account  holders in investigations.THE PIGEON DROP SCHEME – If a stranger  or strangers tell you they have found some money, and try to convince  you that it was ill gotten by the loser (maybe a gambler) and can be  kept, BEWARE. You will be told you may share the find if you withdraw  money from your savings to show “good faith” and responsibility. You may  think you have your money in view, but the envelope or bag will be  quickly switched. Only on going back to re-deposit your money do you  discover you have only pieces of blank paper.THE AUTOMOBILE AND  HOME REPAIR SCHEME – Vagabond thieves frequently do auto body repair  work to earn extra money. They will drive around town looking for dented  vehicles and, after locating one and its owner, they inform the owner  that they can make the repairs cheaply. After the work is done the  thieves may then say the job was complicated and charge an exorbitant  fee. Vagabond thieves also use various introductory statements to induce  home owners to allow them to repair or tar roofs, or resurface  driveways.HOW TO AVOID BECOMING A VICTIM

• DON’T discuss your personal finances with strangers.
• DON’T withdraw cash at the suggestion of someone you don’t know.
• DON’T accept that a person is official or legitimate without checking first.
• DON’T believe stories that sound too good to be true, invariably they’re not.
• DON’T be embarrassed to report that you have been victimized.
• DO call the police if approached with any story similar to those described in this article.
• DO testify in court, if asked, to help stop this kind of crime.
• DO tell your friends and neighbors about bunco schemes.

First, some Carjacking facts:

• Carjacking take place very quickly. Most take only 15 to 20 seconds to complete.
• Carjacking can be violent. Drivers have been beaten and even murdered while being pulled out of their car.
• Carjackers are usually armed. Either with a gun or knife.
• Carjacking  may first involve a minor traffic accident. The victim’s car is  “bumped” at a stop sign, red light, or freeway off ramp. When the victim  gets out of the car to check the damage the suspect pulls a weapon and  takes the car.
• Other carjacking occur at stop signs or lights –  the suspect may approach you and pull a weapon on you ordering you out  of the car; or as you are pulling into or out of a parking space – a  second vehicle may block your path with a passenger from the suspect’s  vehicle getting out and pulling you out of your car; or as you are  entering or exiting your car – the suspect may be standing close by, in a  parked car, or hiding by other parked cars, buildings, etc.

Safety Tips: BE  AWARE. This is very important! Giving the appearance of not paying  attention and not being alert is what suspects look for in a victim.Look around and get a BIG PICTURE of your surroundings.At  times you may want to be a little suspicious of a person or persons,  ask yourself why is this person where they are? Some victims have seen  the suspect but the victim thought the person looked “innocent,” “he was  just standing around,” etc.Keep your house keys and car keys on separate key chains.When going to your car have your keys out and ready; look around for anyone “hanging” around your car or your path to your car.Don’t hesitate to run back to where you came from to get help.LOOK  AROUND one last time just before exiting your car. When you pull into a  parking area look around for anyone “hanging” around, or someone who  seems to “pace” their walk to arrive at your parking place as you are  exiting your car. If you see someone like this move to another parking  area or leave the area.If you do not see anyone around then park your car, and try to avoid parking next to large vehicles such as vans.BUT,  by the time you are ready to exit your car several seconds have passed –  there could now be someone in the area – SO, TAKE ONE LAST LOOK AROUND  before exiting your car, keeping your car keys handy in case you need to  get back in quickly.By keeping your keys in your hand you can  quickly get back into your car if someone suddenly appears and  approaches you….GET BACK IN THE CAR – HONK THE HORN – START THE CAR –  AND START THE CAR MOVING OUT OF THERE!In a minor “fender bender”  type accident, if the location is secluded, instead of getting out  immediately, you may want to drive to an open business, Police Station,  Fire Station, etc. for your safety. Motion the other driver to follow  you; you do not want to give the other driver the idea you are running  away from an accident, even though the other driver caused the accident.Keep your car doors locked and windows rolled up.Keep packages, purse, etc. on the floor rather than on the seat where they are easier to see.Keep your car in good working order and with plenty of gas.If  you have car trouble keep your doors locked and windows up. If someone  stops to help stay in the car and ask them to call the police or a  service station which you have the phone number to and are aware the  station stays open 24 hours.

Thousands of children are reported missing every year in America. Some children will be found and returned home. Some will not.Child abduction is a tragedy that devastates parents and touches all of us. These tips tell you how to keep your children safer.

WHAT TO DO:

• Know where your children are at all times.
• Never leave children alone in cars.
• Establish  strict procedures for picking up children at school, after movies, at  friend’s homes, etc. Don’t let your children accept rides from people  with whom you haven’t made prior arrangement, even if they say they are  police officers, teachers, or friends of the family.
• Teach your  children their full names, your full name, address, and telephone  number. Teach them how to reach either you or a trusted adult and how to  call for police assistance. Make sure they know how to make local and  long distance telephone calls. Even small children can learn to dial  9-1-1 to get help.
• Tell your children about the abduction  problem in a calm and simple way, as if you were teaching any other  important coping skill.
• Listen attentively when your children discuss anyone they’ve encountered in your absence.
• Establish a family code word. Tell your children never to go with anyone who does not know the code word.
• Have  photographs taken of you children four times a year (especially for  preschoolers). Make note of birthmarks or other distinguishing features.  This won’t protect your child, but will help to make it easier to  identify them whether they are found safe, injured, or deceased.

TEACH YOUR CHILDREN:

• Never leave the yard without your permission. Very small children should play only in the backyard or in a supervised play area.
• Not to wander off, to avoid lonely places, and not to take shortcuts through alleys or deserted areas.
• They are safer walking or playing with friends.
• Always to come straight home from school unless you’ve made other arrangements.
• Never to enter anyone’s home without your prior approval.
• To scream, run away and tell you or a trusted adult if anyone attempts to touch or grab them.
• Not to give any information over the telephone, particularly their name and address, or that they are alone.
• Never to go anywhere with anyone who does not know the family code word.
• To keep all doors locked and admit only authorized people into the house.

EMERGENCY NUMBERS Fill  out the following form and post it where it is easily accessible for your children.Explain to them what each number is for.