08/19/2022
What would you do? A female citizen called us to report that she believed someone may be following her. She did a great job reporting the information to us. Thankfully we were able to determine that no crime had occurred, and she was able to get home safely. She did have some questions about what she could do to protect herself and if there was any general information that might be good for us to share with our community. These are several simple safety tips that anyone can follow. Following these tips can reduce the chances of you becoming a victim. Being proactive is better than being reactive. Please share.
WHEN YOU ARE ALONE:
• Trust your instincts
• Be aware of your surroundings
• Avoid potentially dangerous situations
• Know where you are going, and have a set route planned out
PROTECTING YOURSELF ON THE STREET:
• Stay in groups
• If you must be alone, walk with confidence
• Avoid isolated areas
• Stick to well-traveled streets
• Carry a purse close to your body and a wallet in an inside or front pocket
• Carry only what currency/credit cards you need
SAFETY IN YOUR CAR:
• Never leave your car running unattended
• Never leave your keys in the car or ignition
• Always roll up your windows and lock the car when parked, even if it is in front of your house
• Never leave valuables in plain view (even if your car is locked)
• Always Park in busy, well-lit areas
• Carry your registration and insurance card with you in a purse or wallet
• Don’t leave personal identification documents or credit cards in your vehicle
• Write your VIN and license plate on a card near your driver’s license.
AT HOME:
• Have proper lighting around your residence
• Never keep spare keys outside the home under door mats, rocks, etc. (these are typically where criminals look first)
• If you have a keypad system, change the code frequently
• Always lock all doors and windows when away
• Sliding doors and windows should have a secondary locking device
• Check all exterior doors to make sure hinges are not located on the outside
If you have any other useful tips that aren't listed, please leave them in the comment section.