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What to do before you are robbed:
If you operate a business:
1) Make up employee responsibility assignments.
2) If you use a register, you should keep "bait money". This may assist police in solving the crime. 3) Do not keep large amounts of money on hand. A full cash register is an open invitation to armed robbers. 4) Consider installing a hold-up alarm or surveillance camera. 5) Be sure to tell your employees to cooperate with the robber(s) and try to remain calm. Most robbers do not harm the victim. 6) Do only what the robber tells you. Do not volunteer or do anything other than what he asks. 7) Do not look the robber directly in the eyes. This way he doesn't feel you can identify him. 8) Should the opportunity arise, try to get the best description possible of the robber(s) without being obvious.
Employee responsibility assignments:
If you are ever held up, the confusion after the robber leaves is unbelievable. So, decide now which employees will call the police, look for the getaway car, lock the doors, detain and separate witnesses, and protect evidence. Do not assume these jobs will be done automatically! Make your assignments now.
After the robbery:
IMMEDIATELY call
911. Calling police before you call anyone else is very important.
In closing:
** Ask witnesses to remain at the scene. ** Lock all doors. Don't let anyone in or out. ** Do not touch anything the robbers touched.
The person with the best information should be the one who talks with the Police Dispatcher!
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Definition of aggravated assault and simple assault:
Aggravated Assault: The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program defines aggravated assault as "An unlawful attack by one person upon another wherein the offender uses a weapon or displays it in a threatening manner, or the victim suffers obvious severe or aggravated bodily injury involving apparent broken bones, loss of teeth, possible internal injury, severe laceration or loss of consciousness."
Simple Assault: The FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting Program defines simple assault as: "All assaults which do not involve the use of a firearm, knife, cutting instrument, or other dangerous weapon and in which there were no serious or aggravated injuries to the victim.
Weapons used in aggravated assaults:
Firearm 17%
Knife 21%
Personal Weapons 29%
Other Weapons 33%
"Personal Weapons" - Hands, fists, feet, teeth, etc.
Males ages 13 to 14 commit aggravated assaults 5 times more than females. Interestingly enough, teenaged girls have the highest rate among females.
The next age group is males 25 to 39
Road Rage is becoming one of the most dangerous types of assaults, sometimes ending someone's life! Remember! Forget the "Macho" image. Let it go! A person who would want to injure another over a traffic incident is not a person you want to confront. Sooner or later he/she will answer for their rage.
The best action to take in a "Road Rage" situation is copy the tag number, get a description of the driver and report it to local law enforcement. Return to Crime Index page |
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Auto theft occurs every 23 seconds
Top 25 stolen cars
Basic rules to protect your vehicle from being stolen: * Never leave your car running and walk off, even if you lock it (of course with a spare key in your pocket). You're telling the car thief "Go ahead, I dare you", not realizing it would only take an experienced thief about 10 seconds to enter and drive off with a "turn key" vehicle. Yours! * Security devices will help prevent auto theft but if the thief "wants" your type of vehicle he will find a way. Protecting your car from theft. * Windows up! Doors locked! * Never hide car keys in or on the car. * Choose parking spaces close to buildings where it is likely someone would see the car theft in progress. * Keep in mind, a car thief in a shopping mall parking lot may be just waiting for someone to park and go off shopping giving him ample time to steal your car. That's where "The Club" may cause him to take the car next to yours. Top 25 Stolen Cars in the USA (1999)
1. 1989 Toyota Camry For two years in a row the top stolen American made vehicles are the full size pickup trucks. As shown, 20 of 25 top stolen autos are Japanese made vehicles. The Toyota Camry and Honda Accord topped the most stolen car list for the third year in a row. Why not steal more valuable luxury cars like the Lexus, Mercedes or Cadillac? Could it be that there is money to be made by unscrupulous auto body shops and scrap yards by selling stolen car parts to repair the popular Honda and Toyota cars of this vintage? What do you think? The top ten areas with port facilities or near international borders that recorded the greatest number of vehicle thefts were:
1. Los Angeles (65,243) |
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Although the December holiday season is prime-time for burglars, they are more than happy to relieve you of your possessions at any time.
Is your home a target?
Make it tough for the thief to get inside your home. Burglars tend not to work too hard. If a house is hard to enter, they will move on to one that is an easy mark!
Take a look at your home from the standpoint of a burglar.
Burglars usually:
* Wait till no one is at home
* Walk in an unlocked door or open window
* Kick in a door
* Break a window
Suggestions:
** Use dead bolts on all exterior doors
** Secure sliding doors. Use a slide lock or put an object in door channel.
** Install a burglar alarm system, and post "Warning signs".
If you are going to be away:
* Notify the police if you are going away and ask for a check of your residence periodically.
* Ask a neighbor to also look after your house while you are away, alternating the lights and possibly mowing the lawn. This would show an active home site. When your neighbor is away, you can reciprocate.
* Of you have a two story house, leave the upstairs light on. A burglar cannot peek in.
* Cancel newspapers/mail delivery. Don't leave any notes saying when you will be home.
* Leave drapes and shades open. When they are closed, it is a sign of an unoccupied home.
* If possible, park a car in your driveway or tell a neighbor they can use you driveway whenever they wish.
Securing Valuables:
Whenever you leave on vacation/trip, place your most valuable items in a vault or at a relatives home, if the items are too large for a vault.
You may also want someone to actually go to your home a couple of times a week to check and see if all is okay. It also makes it look as if someone is always home.
A security check may be available free of charge from your local Law Enforcement Agency. Go in person and talk one on one!
Above all, never enter your home if you feel someone may be inside. Go to a neighbors and call the Police!
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New Crime of the 21 Century The newest twist in auto theft! Image having someone walk up to you while you're sitting in your car obeying a traffic signal, thrusting a gun in your face, and taking your car from you. Or having your vehicle stolen while you are parked, (even in your own driveway), or getting gas. This is the new crime called CAR JACKING. It can happen anywhere, not just in traditional "high crime" neighborhoods, and it is just as likely to occur during the daylight as it is after dark.
Why is CAR JACKING. on the increase? Although statistics are not yet available, CAR JACKING. has every appearance of becoming the growth crime of the 90's. Parked cars, especially luxury models, equipped with sophisticated, built in alarm systems and theft deterrent devices, are becoming harder to steal. Car thieves find it much easier to steal a car while the owner is there, with the keys in the ignition, than it is to break into a locked car, especially if the car is alarmed. According to FBI statistics, a very small percentage of arrests are made for these thefts. Some of the cars are cut up for parts, others are stolen to be exported and sold. Many are stolen simply because the thief wants to take a joy ride. Anybody can be a target While most car jacking look for sleek, powerful luxury model cars to steal and sell, others will go after any easy target of opportunity, sometimes just stealing on an impulse for a joy ride. How you can avoid being carjacked While there is no guaranteed way of avoiding being carjacked, there are some commonsense precautions you can take to put the odds in your favor. Before you enter your car...
* Be alert to any activity near your car. Pay attention to your surroundings. *When approaching your car to enter it, have your key in your hand, and check the handles, locks and back seat before entering. *If there is someone loitering near your unoccupied car as you approach it, keep walking until they leave. Once you're in your car... * Keep your doors and windows locked. *Stay out of high crime areas, especially after dark. * Be suspicious of people approaching your car asking for directions or change, or giving out flyers. *When stopping in traffic, leave enough distance between your car and the one in front of you, so you can pull away quickly if necessary. * If a suspicious looking person approaches your car, drive away carefully-even if you must go through a traffic light. * If you're driving home, and there's somebody walking down the street that you don't recognize, drive around the block and come back after that person has left. * If another driver bumps your car, or your tire goes flat, keep your doors and windows closed and wait for the Police to arrive-or drive to the nearest Police Station. * Be alert when using drive-up automated teller (ATM) machines. *If you have a cellular phone, call for help. * If you are confronted, don't resist.
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You be the judge!
** Teenagers 12-19, especially girls, are the most victimized segment of the U.S. ** Children ages 12 to 15 are victimized at a rate 84% higher than the general ** Teenage girls are among the most frequent victims of sexual assault. ** According to a study by the Justice Department the "Average" victim of a "Child Why are young females so vulnerable? Partly because of how they see themselves, and
"KNOW THE RULES"
CLOSE:
LEARN ALL YOU CAN AND COMMUNICATE THE DANGERS TO YOUR CHILD! |
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Our family is our most important asset. Most people would do most anything for the safety and welfare for their families, especially protecting them from known dangers and harm. We hope as you "surf" through our site you'll become more aware of the dangers that could effect you and your family members.
ALWAYS BE AWARE OF YOUR SURROUNDINGS!The home is where your family realizes the most protection. Once they walk out the front door they leave that "safety zone" that you have created. The Crime Awareness web site offers many suggestions on crime related subjects. We strongly urge you to "surf" this site, gather the information you feel is pertinent to you and your families safety, then sit down as a family and discuss "what if" situations. We suggest printing out the parts you want to make part of your "what if" get together. You can be sure of one thing...the family that covers a Crime Awareness plan is less likely to become a victim of crime! Be sure to check out Home Invasion. Your families safety at shopping centers: Next time you go to a large shopping center, sit in the car a few minutes and observe how easy it would be for a criminal to approach and attack you or your family. This is where your family is at its greatest risk due to the "nature" of a parking lot. If you think about it, we are all strangers in a parking lot. Violent criminals blend in with the rest of us and can get right next to us fairly easily. Criminals can walk right by us and we will allow it because of the public setting. Watch shoppers as they approach their cars fumbling for keys. They will turn their backs and attention completely away from those nearby to load shopping bags into the car and get children and infants installed inside the vehicle. Most shopping center crimes occur precisely at this point. The most common violent crimes are purse snatching and strong arm robbery. Less common and potentially more serious are the crimes of car jacking and abduction. To protect yourself and your family the best defense is awareness. Crime Awareness! Important tips! ** Park as close to the mall as possible even if it takes a few minutes longer. ** When walking to and from your car and someone calls out, keep walking. Sometimes a predator will act like he wants to ask a question - just to size you up! ** If you see something or someone that makes you uncomfortable ask Mall Security to escort you to your vehicle, especially if you have children with you! ** Lock your car doors immediately upon entering. ** If alone, drive around when you leave to see if someone may be following you. Remember; a woman alone may be "stalked" when she arrives at a mall. |
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Con Artist
A good actor, male or female, who disarms the victim with a "Nice Guy" approach. It is not easy to spot a con artist. They are smart, extremely persuasive, and aggressive. They invade your home by telephone and mail, advertise in well-known newspapers and magazines, and come to your door. Anyone can be a victim, even a person who is considered too intelligent or sophisticated to be conned. Con Artists rob all kinds of people - from investment counselors and doctors to teenagers and the elderly of billions of dollars each year. Just remember, if it sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Watch for key words or expressions, such as: * Secret Plan NOTE: Be wary of any pressure that you must act immediately.
Prevention Tips Fraud Your best protection is to just hang up the phone. If you think that is rude, tell these callers politely that you are not interested, don't want to waste their time, and please don't call back - and then hang up. If you find yourself caught up in a sales pitch, remember the federal government's Telemarketing Sales Rule. * You have to be told the name of the company, the fact that it is a sales call, and what's being sold. If a prize is being offered, you have to be told immediately that there is no purchase necessary to win. |
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| Retail theft occurs every 4 seconds
Theft from stores, including employee and vendor theft, costs retailers billions of dollars per year. Independent retail studies have estimated theft from retail stores costs the
American public between 20 and 30 billion dollars per year. Depending on the type of retail store, inventory "shrinkage" ranges from .5% to 6% of gross sales.
Remember, when a thief steals from a retail store, you the consumer also suffer a loss. These losses are passed on to you! Believe it or not! Let's focus on to two areas where "shrink" (product loss) is greatest. Those being "shoplifting" and "employee theft". There is no question that shoplifters are the greater majority in numbers, but employee theft accounts for higher dollar value of loss, "shrink". Employees have been known to have stolen merchandise in excess of $50,000 before being caught, and most are. To combat these losses, Merchants have had to take extreme measures to reduce shoplifting. A variety of methods are now being used such as plain clothes floor detectives to observe and seek out the "shoplifters". Employee theft is more detailed. Some merchants employ "undercover personnel" through security agencies and place them among employees where they feel they can obtain the best information on who is involved in merchandise theft. This method is proving extremely successful. Of course, stores also use video surveillance cameras and electronic article surveillance devices, which are attached to the product and cause alarms to be set off should someone walk out the door without deactivation by the cashier. In closing: Shoplifting and employee theft is really everyone's problem, when you consider the cost of "shrink" (loss of merchandise) is passed on to us in price increases of product. What can you do to help! It's simple; as long as they're stealing from you, the consumer, then it should be personal. If and when you suspect someone is shoplifting, report it to store security. Tell them who you saw and walk away. You are no longer involved. The rest is up to security. They must witness the theft themselves. You have probably helped prevent another loss. Employee theft: Again, here is a situation where you don't become involved, but by reporting employee theft you are saving your company and yourself large amounts of monies. Reporting this type of theft is simple. Just call or write the company and explain what you may know. You don't have to give your name or any other personal information. Should they ask, simply tell them you wish to remain anonymous. They will be grateful for your assistance and you will feel better about yourself! It is estimated that shoplifting occurs 380 to 440 million times per year at a loss of $9.5 to $11 billion dollars. When you factor in employee theft, and vendor theft, this sum skyrockets to $26 to $30 billion dollars stolen per year!
* 1997 independent study by Jack L. Hayes International, Inc.
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The Twenty First Century brings change and new crime; gangs, drugs, school peer pressure, a lack of courtesy on the road as well as in everyday life and a lack of parental guidance. These ingredients are most of the components that make up the composition of
ROAD RAGE. Listed below are researched sites which will help you better understand the problem. |
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| Sexual assault occurs every 6 minutes
Sexual assault occurs every 6 minutes Although women are significantly less likely than men to become victims of violent crime, they nonetheless experience more than 2.5 million violent events each year. Young women and women of minority groups are more likely than older women and women of majority cultures to be crime victims. Nearly two out of three women know their attackers prior to the assault.
Rape and other sexual assault is more likely to take place between 6:00 p.m. and 6:00 a.m. than during daylight hours. About 12% of rapes take place in the victim's home, but the remainder occur in a variety of locations ranging from parks to parking lots, from commercial buildings to friends' homes. Fact: * RAPE is an act of violence. It is an attempt to control and degrade using sex as a weapon. * RAPE can happen to anyone - children, students, wives, mothers, working women, grandmothers, the rich and poor, and boys and men. * RAPISTS can be anyone - classmates, co-workers, a neighbor or delivery person, ugly or attractive, outgoing or shy, often a friend or family member. * RAPISTS rape again and again, until caught. Use your head: * Be Alert! Walk with confidence and purpose. * Be aware of your surroundings - know who's out there and what's going on. * Don't let alcohol or other drugs cloud your judgment. * Trust your instincts. If a situation or place makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave! Should the unthinkable happen: * How should you handle a rape attempt? It depends on your physical and emotional state, the situation, the rapist's personality. There are no hard and fast, right or wrong answers, surviving is the goal. * Try to escape. Scream. Be rude. Make noise to discourage your attacker from following. * Talk, stall for time, and assess your options. * If the rapist has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive. * If you decide to fight back, you must be quick and effective. Target the eyes or groin. Surviving Rape: * Report rape or any sexual assault to the police or rape crisis center. The sooner you tell, the greater the chances the rapist will be caught. * Preserve all physical evidence. Don't shower, bathe, change clothes. douche, or throw any clothing away until the police or rape counselor say it's okay. * Go to a hospital emergency room or your own doctor for medical care immediately. Don't go alone. Ask a friend or family member to go with you or call a rape crisis center or school counselor. * Get counseling to help deal with feelings of anger, helplessness, fear, and shame caused by rape. It helps to talk to someone about the rape, whether it happened last night, last week, or years ago. * Remember, rape is not your fault. Do not accept blame for being an innocent victim. You're not alone. It wasn't your fault. We're here to help. 24-HOURS/7 DAYS A United Way Agency 909-626-HELP (626-4357) (626) 966-4155 |
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Our family is our most important asset. Most people would do most anything for the safety and welfare for their families, especially protecting them from known dangers and harm. We hope as you "surf" through our site you'll become more aware of the dangers that could effect you and your family members.
The home is where your family realizes the most protection. Once they walk out the front door they leave that "safety zone" that you have created. The Crime Awareness web site offers many suggestions on crime related subjects. We strongly urge you to "surf" this site, gather the information you feel is pertinent to you and your families safety, then sit down as a family and discuss "what if" situations. We suggest printing out the parts you want to make part of your "what if" get together. You can be sure of one thing...the family that covers a Crime Awareness plan is less likely to become a victim of crime! Be sure to check out Home Invasion. Your families safety at shopping centers: Next time you go to a large shopping center, sit in the car a few minutes and observe how easy it would be for a criminal to approach and attack you or your family. This is where your family is at its greatest risk due to the "nature" of a parking lot. If you think about it, we are all strangers in a parking lot. Violent criminals blend in with the rest of us and can get right next to us fairly easily. Criminals can walk right by us and we will allow it because of the public setting. Watch shoppers as they approach their cars fumbling for keys. They will turn their backs and attention completely away from those nearby to load shopping bags into the car and get children and infants installed inside the vehicle. Most shopping center crimes occur precisely at this point. The most common violent crimes are purse snatching and strong arm robbery. Less common and potentially more serious are the crimes of car jacking and abduction. To protect yourself and your family the best defense is awareness. Crime Awareness! Important tips! ** Park as close to the mall as possible even if it takes a few minutes longer. ** When walking to and from your car and someone calls out, keep walking. Sometimes a predator will act like he wants to ask a question - just to size you up! ** If you see something or someone that makes you uncomfortable ask Mall Security to escort you to your vehicle, especially if you have children with you! ** Lock your car doors immediately upon entering. ** If alone, drive around when you leave to see if someone may be following you. Remember; a woman alone may be "stalked" when she arrives at a mall. |
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SOCIAL SCENE TIPS
Before ever leaving anywhere with a stranger, always let someone know whom you are leaving with. This can be accomplished in several ways and still "be cool". Statistics show a high percentage of rape/murder cases have occurred when the victim either drove off with a complete stranger or someone she hardly knew.
Remember; the key to avoid getting into a bad situation is always let another person know that you are going off with "Mr. X" and make sure "Mr. X" knows someone else is aware of his identity. Let's explore the "Cool Ways" this can be accomplished. * If "Mr. X" is who he says he is, then there should be no problem with him showing his picture I.D. * Should you go to his vehicle, walk to the rear and get the tag number (with a smile) and ask him if it's all right to bring it back inside to a friend (bartender of waitress). * You can always take the time to call someone and give them some details about "Mr. X" before you decide to leave with him. "BEING COOL" IS ONE THING...BEING DEAD IS ANOTHER! |
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE As many as 4 million women in this country suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their husbands or boyfriends each year. Very few will tell anyone - a friend, a relative, a neighbor, or the police. Victims of domestic violence come from all walks of life, all cultures, all income groups, all ages, all religions. They share feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear and shame. Are you abused? Does the person you love... * Keep track of all of your time? If you find yourself saying yes to any of these - it's time to get help.
If you are hurt, what can you do? There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself. For more information
Domestic Violence Hotline This new, nationwide toll-free hotline will provide immediate crisis intervention, counseling and referrals to emergency shelters and services.
National Resource Center on Domestic Violence
Family Violence Prevention Fund |
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Tourist Safety Tips
Hotels-Motels
* Women traveling alone should book reservations using only first initial, and last name. * Do not carry large sums of cash. Use traveler's checks. Should you need excess cash, than split it among family members, or carry it in several places on your person. * Always let friends/family members know where you are going and when you are returning. * Do not reveal your room number to strangers, or write it down when signing for dinner/drinks. * Do not advertise how long you will be away from your room. Leave a light, TV or radio on to give the impression that the room is occupied. * When leaving your hotel/motel to go out, don't always walk by the front desk, provided there are other exits. This way people don't know when you are out of your room. Sightseeing * Think about wearing clothing that reflects a law enforcement support group such as the "Sheriff's Association", giving the impression you are part that group. You may be less likely to be taken for an easy mark. * Travel with another person when possible, particularly at night. * When asking for directions, always try to ask a police officer, bus driver or walk into a business. * Should you feel you are in some kind of danger or lost remember, at all or most pay phones, you can "DIAL 911" for help without depositing any coin. * Do not expose expensive jewelry when out sightseeing. * Always be mindful of who is around you, and watch to see that who you are with is always in sight. * Always carry plenty of change (coins) while on vacation. This will accomplish two things; first, it prevents you from exposing large bills when making small purchases and secondly, should you need to call from a pay phone, it will help from chasing all around to make change. In Your Vehicle
* When driving, plan your route carefully. Travel on main roads and try not to use your map! Write down your route on a sheet of paper and refer to your written directions as needed. Using a map for total directions is a dead give-away for being lost or being a tourist!
*Carry all the safety items in your vehicle, flashlight, fire extinguisher and first aid kit. * When stopping overnight, remove all luggage and items of value from your car. * Keep all doors locked and windows rolled up. * Should you get into a minor car accident and feel uncomfortable about your surroundings, open your windows only wide enough to tell the other vehicle's driver that you are going to a location you feel safe in or stay in your vehicle and ask someone to call the police on a cell phone.
* It may be a good idea to rent/buy a cell phone or borrow one while you are on vacation, for emergencies only.
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