Here is a post from Michael Kearns' website, mickeykearns.com. Michael is the South District councilmember. There are a lot of very helpful safety tips listed here from the A-District Chief Brian Strobele, written on Monday, December 22, 2008.
Personal Safety
A CRIMINAL'S MAIN ADVANTAGE IS THE ELEMENT OF SURPRISE.YOU CAN REDUCE THE ADVANTAGE IF YOU CONSIDER YOURSELF A VICTIM OF A CRIME THAT IS ABOUT TO HAPPEN.......
At Home....
Have a peephole installed in outer doors.Do not open your door to strangers...
Do NOT use a chain lock ..this a privacy device...it is not designed to prevent a forced entry...
Keep doors and windows locked at all times.Even when taking out the trash,in the yard gardening,etc...
Blinds or curtains should be closed at night to prevent criminals from window shopping...
DO NOT leave notes on the door when going out....
If after returning home you notice a broken window or an open door,go to your neighbors house and call the police immediately...DO NOT enter the premises...
Have your keys in your hand when returning home.This reduces the amount of time you are susceptible to attack.
DO NOT leave keys in potted plants,under the doormat,in the mailbox etc
Have locks changed upon moving into a new house or apartment or if your keys are lost or stolen.....
Leave lights on when you go out at night,use a timer when you are away for long periods of time.
Exterior
Lighting should be used to maintain visibility around your house or building.Light fixtures should be high enough so bulbs may not be unscrewed.
Entry and exit from buildings should be thru doors that are highly visible by neighbors.
Leave a light on if you plan on returning after dark,light timer devices are invaluable.
Mailbox should only list the first initial and your last name.
TELEPHONE
Never give personal information over the phone when some calls you.Be wary of telephone surveys,they may not be legitimate.
Unlisted numbers are advisable especially for single women.
Never admit that you are alone to anyone on the phone.
GUESTS
Do NOT permit strangers to enter your home to use the phone,get a drink of water, or sell you something,call the POLICE...no mater how friendly they seem.Both Male and Female criminals use many methods to get you to invite them into your home.If someone wishes to use the phone ...offer to make the call for them...
Repairmen or Utility meter readers should not be allowed to enter until after furnishing ID or verifying their presence by calling the utility company they represent.
Be cautious of aquaintances visiting with strangers...especially if they show up unannounced.
DO NOT allow strangers to walk around your house unaccompanied.
DAILY ROUTINE
Vary your time table when leaving to or coming home from work.
Vary your routes when going out.
DO NOT loiter around a laundry facility if you live in an apartment building.Time each cycle of the washer or dryer so you spend as little time as possible in this vulnerable area.
IF ATTACKED
If an intruder enters ,if possible,leave the house or apartment immediately and seek assistance from a neighbor.Have someone call the POLICE immediately.If the intruder thinks you are aslepp play possum.Avoid a confrontation with the Burglar....also have a cell phone on the night stand or dresser so you have a phone to call 911.
WALKING
Plan the route ahead of time.Avoid traveling unlit,overgrown,or unpopulated areas,parks at night,alleys etc.
Travel with a friend to minimize risk.There is strength in numbers.
Unrestrictive clothing should be worn in case fleeing or fighting is necessitated.No clogs platform shoes,too tight pants,scarves or necklaces...
DO NOT carry packages unnecessarily as they may be the object of criminals desire or restrict the ability to react.
Tell someone your destination,route and time of arrival in case you do encounter a problem.
A whistle or personnal alarm should be carried.
Walk with confidence.Be alert to your surroundings.The criminal may think you know something he or she does not.
DO NOT daydream,pay attention to what may be going on around you.
Check behind you periodically in case you are being followed.
Walk in the center of the sidewalk to avoid dark doorways,shrubbery or parked cars.
Adjust your pace so you are walking in close proximity to thers on the street.Their presence can be a form of security.
Walk facing traffic in case a car stops.This would force an assailant to drive backwards to chase you.
Public transportation timing will limit the amount of time you must wait at the stop.
Stand with your back to a wall or pole when witing for public transportation.
Sit near the driver or other people when using Public Transportation.
DO NOT NAP when using public transportation.Stay Alert
Have keys ready when returning home or to your car.
Cary a flashlight at nite to illuminate dark areas,or to temporarily blind an attacker or in use for self defense.
DO NOT CARRY A PURSE....keep valuables in your pocket.If you must use a purse keep your keys seperate(in your pocket),do not use an address tag on your keys,DO NOT carry irreplaceable items,keep a list at home of all credit card numbers.Carry your purse in front of you at all times.
IF FOLLOWED ON FOOT
Cross the street---criss cross if necessary.
Act Suspicious by looking over your shoulder.An attackers main advantage is surprise.
Vary your pace...DO NOT be afraid to run.
Change direction
Enter a store or buisness either call the police or ask that someone else call.
Go To a Private home that looks lived in and occupied and ring bell repeatedly.Ask that someone call the POLICE.
DO NOT go home,if near your home go to a neighbor that is home.
IF FOLLOWED BY CAR
Turn around and walk in the opposite direction the car is traveling.
GO the wrong way on a one way street....
Act Suspicious
Get the license plate number and call the POLICE
Enter a store or buisness.
Go to a private home that looks lived in and occupied and ring the doorbell.
DO NOT GO HOME
IF ATTACKED
Yell "FIRE"...you get better results than yelling for help.
DO NOT resist,you may get hurt.
Faint...by playing possum,the assailant will have a hard tiem moving you to a better location for them without attracting attention.
Sit Down...feign illness if necessary.
Observe the assailant so you can identify the individual later.
Report the incident to POLICE as soon as posible...you may get your belongings back and keep someone else from becoming the victim of your assault.You may give the Police the one piece of information that will solve a string of similar crimes.
DRIVING
Plan your Route
Travel with friends
Maintain your vehicle properly.
Tell someone your destination,route and estimated tiem of arrival.
Carry a flashlight.
Have someone escort you or watch you enter your car.
Have your keys ready.
Be Observant when approaching or entering your car.Look for someone hiding near your or other cars.
Check inside your vehicle before entering.Some one maybe hiding inside.
Lock your doors immediately after entering your car.
Keep windows closed enough to prevent entry when driving in stop and go traffic or asking directions.
Do Not open door or window for strangers that may ask for directions or approach your vehicle.
NEVER pick up a hitchhicker.
If your car breaks down...raise the hood and lock yourself inside the car until someone stops.Stay in your car,with the window up far enough to prevent someone from reaching in and unlocking the door and ask them to call for assistance.
DO NOT stop to aid a stranger in a stalled vehicle...report the location to Police.
Be observant before parking ...check the area for suspicious people before leaving your car at your destination.
Have lights turned on in driveways or garages before arriving.
Avoid dark parking lots.
Be Cautious of parking ramps.
Be Cautious of vans when parking in a lot.Someone may be waiting inside.
Always lock your doors when leaving your vehicle.
Take your flashlight if returning after dark
Be sure any valuables are locked in the trunk before reaching your destination.
DO NOT overburden yourself with packages.
Hold down the horn and drive away if someone tries to enter your car.
Try not to park where you are required to leave your keys.
Make sure the path from the garage to the house is well lit.
IF FOLLOWED BY CAR
Act suspicious.
Get the license number.
Drive to the Police station,firhouse or hospital.
Get the attention of a POLICE CAR.
DO NOT GO HOME,the person following you will then know where you live.
DO NOT pull into a driveway ...you met get blocked in.
Pull over to the side of the road,wait for the person to exit their car and then drive away.
BUILDINGS
BE Observant when entering a building.Be aware of locations where someone may hide,under stairways,basements,dark corridors and avoid them if possible.
Avoid secluded or seldom used stairways.
ELEVATORS---Whenever possible stand by the control panel.If alone on an elevator and someone who makes you uneasy gets in,listen to your instincts,get off the elevator.If you are about to get on an elevator and someone makes you feel uneasy DO NOT GET IN.If you encounter a problem while riding in an elevator run your hands down the control panel,the door should open on the next available floor.Also,NEVER pull the emergency ..this will stop the elevator.
Never work late alone.
If you do...have an escort to your car.
IF ATTACKED IN A BUILDING
Yell "FIRE"
Activate a fire alarm.
Pound on doors of offices or aprtments that look occupied.
Avoid being forced into an office or room,if in a main area or walkway your chances of getting help are greater.
If in an elevator try hitting as many buttons as possible to get help.
Have a great Holiday everyone,
Chief Brian Strobele
Monday 22 December 2008
