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| Crime Prevention and Personal Safety Tips |
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The following information is brought to you by the Crime Prevention Division of the Manchester Police Department. Practical and sensible tips to help ensure greater personal and home safety, and information regarding child safety and drug issues are provided. While there is no doubt that crime can be random, you can do a lot to limit your chances of becoming a victim just by being alert and aware. So if you are interested in learning how to keep you and your family safer in the car, home, and on the street, keep reading!
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Prepare for Safety - The Three Basic Rules
Personal Safety
Personal Appearance
Walking
In a car
If you have car trouble
Public Transportation
Elevators
If you are followed
Beware of Suspicious Activity
Self Defense
Protecting Your Car
Business Travel
Child Safety
Tips for Kids
Tips For Parents
Talking About Drugs
Home Safety
Perform a Home Security Check
How to Prevent a Burglary
How to Safeguard Your Home While on Vacation
Crime Prevention For Businesses
Prepare for Safety:
Three Basic Rules-
- Trust your instincts
- If something looks wrong or dangerous, change your course of action.
- Use common sense
- Let someone know where you are going and when you will return
- Never carry a lot of cash, keep your wallet or purse close to you
- Don't resist if someone wants your belongings, especially if that person has a weapon
- Avoid dark streets or lightly traveled areas
- Work with the Police
- Get to know the police
- Ask police about unfamiliar neighborhoods before traveling there
- Report suspicious activity
- Ask for assistance if you expect trouble or suspect danger
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Personal Safety
Personal Appearance:
- Wear clothes that will allow you to move quickly
- Carry only what you need: less is better
- Keep your wallet or money separate from your purse
- Hold your handbag in front of you and not around your neck
- Avoid flashy, expensive jewelry, or other belongings that attract attention
Walking:
- Remember there is safety in numbers
- Walk with confidence, be direct and alert
- Use areas that are well traveled and well lighted at night
- Avoid short cuts, vary your route
In a car:
- Don't ride with strangers or pick them up
- In traffic, keep doors locked and windows up
- Park and lock your car and remove the keys
- Park in areas that are well lighted
- When you return to your car, check in and around it, and have your keys in your hand and ready to use
- If you are followed, don't go home, go to a public place or police station
- Keep valuables in trunk or hidden in the car and do not keep registration papers or valuables in the glove box
- BE COURTEOUS!
Confrontations often occur when drivers become frustrated about how others drive
If you have car trouble:
- Raise the hood, use emergency flashers, tie something white around your antenna or mirror.
- Carry a 'HELP' sign and keep a can of tire inflator in trunk.
- Stay inside the car, lock the doors and if help is offered, ask for the police
- Remember to regularly check your car's oil, gas, water and tires. Service your car regularly.
- To contact the police by cellular phone, dial *77 for State Police, #MPD for Manchester Police or 911 in an emergency. It is important that you state your exact location when calling any of these numbers for assistance
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Public Transportation:
- Wait in a well lighted area, near other people
- If someone bothers you, make noise to attract attention
- Sit in the aisle seat, near the driver
- If taking a taxi, ask the driver to wait until you enter your residence
Elevators:
- Enter with groups and stand away from the door while waiting
- Avoid entering an elevator with a stranger
- If you feel uncomfortable, get off as soon as possible
- Stand near the control panel
If you are followed:
- Act suspicious; turn and look at the person
- Let the follower know you won't be surprised
- Change direction; cross the street
- Go into a public place, such as a store or gas station
- Carry a whistle or personal alarm and know how to use it
- If attacked, act quickly - you can yell at the attacker, scream for help, run or fight back by giving a quick blow to vital areas such as the throat, nose, eyes, knees or groin.
- You could also vomit or urinate and yell that you have a disease to scare off the attacker.
- The most important goal is to simply SURVIVE any attack!
Beware of Suspicious Activity:
- Person who behaves strangely or whose movements are unusual
- Vehicle that makes frequent passes around the block, drives at night with no lights on, or driving recklessly
- Person carrying, concealing or attempting to conceal weapons
- Person stopping others on the street or approaching kids
- Gangs or groups gathering to cause trouble
People who sell things out of their cars
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Self Defense:
- Martial Arts are good for mental and physical fitness, but it takes time to become skilled. Some techniques take years of practice to master.
- Defensive Tools: may be taken from you and used against you. Be sure the tool you use is in good working order.
- Noise- whistles, alarms etc. Have them ready and working
- Sprays- tear gas, mace and pepper spray. Be sure the spray is in your hand. Sprays may be illegal in some states
- Fire Extinguisher can be sprayed into the attacker's face or used as a club
- Stun Guns can be used if opponent is close, since it must be applied to skin
- Lethal Weapons- knives, guns, razors etc. You must be properly trained and in some cases licensed.
- Household Items -- kitchen utensils, ashtray, flashlight, aerosol can spray.
Personal Items -- brush, comb, pen, pencil, nail file, keys.
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Protecting Your Car
- Always lock all doors and roll up the windows
Install tapered interior door lock buttons
Park in heavily traveled areas
- Engrave an identifying number on a hidden place on the car and on any valuable components to help the police identify recovered property
- Don't leave any valuables in sight or hide spare keys
- Have alarms or fuel shut-off switches installed
Business Travel
- While at the airport stay alert and watch your bags
- Watch out for staged mishaps, like someone bumping into you or spilling a drink. Often such an 'accident' is a ploy to divert your attention
- Keep a record of the contents of your luggage and anything valuable in your carry-on
- Avoid displaying expensive cameras, jewelry, etc. that might draw attention
- If driving, become familiar with your travel route before you start and make sure your rental car is in good operating condition
- At a hotel, never leave your luggage unattended, keep all hotel doors and windows locked
- Learn the locations of fire exits, elevators and public phones in case of emergency
- Ask hotel staff about the safety of the neighborhood and what areas to avoid
- Always verify who is at your door. If an unexpected visitor claims to be hotel staff, call the front desk to make sure
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CHILD SAFETY
Tips for Kids:
- If you are in a public place and get separated from your parents, don't walk around looking for them. Quickly go to the checkout counter, security office or the lost and found to tell them you need help finding your parents
- You should not get into a car or go anywhere with any person unless your parents have told you it is okay
- If someone follows you on foot or in a car, stay away -- don't go near to talk to them
- Grownups and other older people who need help should not be asking a child for help; they should be asking older people
- No one should be asking you for directions, or to look for a 'lost puppy', or telling you that your mother or father is in trouble and that he or she will take you to them
- If someone tries to take you somewhere, quickly get away from him or her and yell or scream, 'This person is trying to take me away' or 'This person is not my father or mother'
- You should try to use the 'buddy system' and never go places alone
- Always ask your parents' permission to leave the yard or play area or to go into someone's home
- Never hitchhike or try to get a ride home with anyone unless your parents have told you it is okay to ride with them
- No one should ask you to keep a special secret. If someone does, tell your parents
- You should say NO to anyone who tries to take you somewhere, touches you, or makes you feel uncomfortable in any way. You should tell your parents.
Tips For Parents:
- Know where your children are at all times and be familiar with their friends
- Be sensitive to changes in your children's behavior. Changes can be a signal that you should sit down and talk to your children about what caused the changes
- Be alert to a teenager or adult who is paying an unusual amount of attention to your children or giving them expensive gifts
- Teach your children to trust their own feelings, and assure them that they have the right to say NO to what they sense is wrong
- Listen carefully to your children's fears, and be supportive in all your discussions
- Teach your children that no one should approach them or touch them in a way that makes them feel uncomfortable, and if someone does, you want them to tell you
- Be careful about baby-sitters and others who take care of your children
- Teach your children their full name, address, area code and phone number and also the name and phone number of a relative
- Teach your children how to use the telephone, let them make long distance phone calls and show them how to dial 911 or '0'' to ask for help
- Teach your children not to play in isolated areas, to use the 'buddy system', and to yell 'HELP' instead of simply screaming
TALKING ABOUT DRUGS
Tell your children that you love them and you want them to be happy and healthy. Say that you do not find alcohol and other illegal drug use acceptable. Many parents fail to state this simple fact. Explain that drug use hurts people. It can cause AIDS, impaired coordination, slowed growth, and emotional harm such as feelings of isolation or paranoia. It is also important to discuss the legal issues associated with drug and alcohol use because a conviction for a drug offense can lead to prison, loss of a job or college loan. Talk about positive, drug-free alternatives and explore them together. Some possibilities may include sports, reading, movies, bike rides, hikes, camping and games.
Approach your children calmly and openly and do not exaggerate. Talk face to face. Try to understand each other's point of view. Be an active listener and let your child talk about fears and concerns while not interrupting or preaching. Establish an ongoing conversation rather than giving a one-time speech. It is also important that you set an example and avoid contradictions between your words and actions. To help your child deal with peer pressure, act out various situations in which one tries to convince the other to take drugs and come up with at least two ways to handle each situation.
As parents, be alert to changes in your child's mood. Drug use may cause your child to become more irritable, secretive, withdrawn, overly sensitive, or inappropriately angry. In addition, your child may become less responsible by not going to school or coming home late. Watch for changes in friends or lifestyles. Physically, drugs may cause your child to concentrate less, lose coordination, weight and create an unhealthy appearance.
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HOME SAFETY
General Tips
- Update Locks, use cylinder locks with a deadbolt feature
- Install a peephole and burglar alarm system
- Don't leave an extra key anywhere, make sure every family member has one
- Check before opening your door to anyone. Be wary of salespeople, solicitors
- Outside lighting is a good deterrent. Do not leave tools or furniture out in yard or driveway
- When leaving for the evening, leave a light on, don't pull the shades down or leave a note indicating when you will return
- Close garage doors and secure patio doors
- Keep a list of serial numbers of appliances, radios and televisions
- Keep color photos and descriptions of jewelry, and art and other items
- Secure basement windows and make sure shrubs are cut low
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PERFORM A HOME SECURITY CHECK
The following questions are provided to help you make a security check of your home. The check allows you to discover which parts of your home or daily habits make your residence a target for burglary.
Doors
- Are all outside doors in the house of metal or solid wood construction?
- Are all door frames strong enough and tight enough to prevent forcing or spreading?
- Are door hinges protected from removal from outside?
- Are there windows in any door or within 40 inches of the locks?
- Are all door locks adequate and in good repair?
- Can the locking mechanism be reached through a mail slot, or pet entrance?
- Is there a screen or storm door with an adequate lock?
- Are all entrances lighted with at least a 40 watt bulb?
- Can front entrance be observed from street or public areas?
- Does porch or landscaping offer concealment from view from street or public area?
- If there is a sliding glass door, is the sliding panel secured from being lifted out?
Entrances from Garage and Basement
- Are all entrances to living quarters from garage and basement made of metal or solid wood?
- Does door from garage to living quarters have locks adequate for exterior entrance?
- Does door from basement to living quarters have an adequate lock?
Windows
- Do all windows have adequate locks in operating conditions?
- Do windows have screens or storm windows that lock from inside?
- Do any windows open onto areas that may be hazardous or offer special risk to burglary?
- Do windows that open to hazardous areas have security screens or grills?
- Are exterior areas to windows free from concealing structures or landscaping?
- Is exterior adequately lighted at all window areas?
- Are trees and shrubbery kept trimmed back from windows?
- Are ladders kept outside the house where they are accessible?
Basement Doors and Windows
- Is there a door from outside to the basement?
- If so is that door adequately secured for an exterior door?
- Is outside basement entrance lighted by exterior light?
- Is outside basement door concealed from street or neighbors?
- Are all basement windows adequately secured against entry?
Garage Doors and Windows
- Is garage door equipped with an adequate lock and exterior light?
- Is garage door kept closed and locked at all times?
- Are garage windows secured and all tools and ladders kept inside?
Going on Vacation:
- Stop all deliveries - mail, newspapers
- Don't discuss your absence in public
- Use clock timers on lights and radios
- Have your lawns mowed and move valuables away from windows
- Arrange for your neighbor to inspect your property periodically
- Leave a key with your neighbor and not in a hiding place
- Call police to tell them when you are leaving and returning, be sure to leave names and numbers of people to call in case of a problem
- Check and double check all windows and doors and also basement windows and garage doors before leaving
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How to Prevent a Home Burglary
- Invest in solid doors and good quality locks on doors and windows.
This includes on all sliding glass doors as well. Make it not only difficult
and time consuming for a burglar to gain entry.
- Whenever you go outside, lock the door and take the key with you, even
if you are just stepping next door or out mowing the back yard.
- Don't put valuables where they can be seen from the window, especially
items that can be easily carried.
- Be sure your garage door can be secured. Do not leave it open when
you are away; an empty garage broadcasts your absence.
- When you aren't home, use a timer set to turn interior lights on and
off at varyingintervals as though your home was still occupied.
- Don't keep large amounts of cash or really valuable jewelry around
the house.
- If someone comes to your door asking to use the telephone, make the
call yourself. Don't invite them in.
- Don't hide a spare key under the door mat or under a flower pot. Thieves
know all the good hiding places.
- Plant thorny bushes under all windows. Trim back any trees or shrubs
near doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for would-be thieves.
- Invest in a good security system along with motion sensor lights installed
out of reach
- Don't leave ladders outside. Keep any tools that could be used to break
in your home safely locked away in a garage or shed.
- Always double check doors at night and lock all windows.
- Engrave all valuables such as stereos, microwaves, video cameras, etc. with
your driver's license number. (Engraving tools are available through the M.P.D. and most local law enforcement agencies.) Videotape the contents of your home. Keep the video and the list of all valuables in a safe place, such as a
safety deposit box.
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How to Safeguard Your Home While on Vacation
- Strive to make your home look as lived-in as possible while you're away.
- Don't broadcast your plans but do let your neighbors and local law enforcement know.
- Give a spare key to your neighbors and give them an emergency telephone number to reach you.
- Arrange to have your mail and newspapers either stopped or picked up daily.
- Have someone mow your yard or rake the leaves so your house looks lived-in.
- Use automatic timers to turn on a radio and lights at different intervals to hide the fact you aren't home.
- Turn down the ringer on the telephone. An unanswered telephone is a dead give-away.
- Be sure you don't announce your absence on your answering machine message.
- Leave your blinds like you normally would if you were home. Only close them all the way if that is what you would normally do.
- Be sure to close and lock the garage as well as any storage sheds, gates, etc.
- Engrave all your valuables with your driver's license number. If possible, videotape the contents of your home. Be sure to keep the video and the list of valuables in a safety deposit box.
- Ask your neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway. If you are leaving a vehicle parked outside, have the neighbor move it periodically so it looks as though you are home.
- Be sure someone knows your itinerary and your estimated time of arrival and return.
- If you get lost while traveling, ask directions of local law enforcement, not complete strangers.
- Be sure your vehicle is in good working condition and that you have taken enough money. Do not carry large amounts of cash, use credit cards and travelers' checks.
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CRIME PREVENTION FOR BUSINESSES
Robbery:
- Be alert to your customers and surroundings, greet as many of them as possible
- A robber will be less likely to strike if the person thinks you would be able to provide a good physical description of him or her
- Beware of those who appear to be 'casing' the store out, they will pay more attention to the location of the register, alarms, doors, and exits and may use 'shifty and darty eye movements'
- Be totally unpredictable about moving money from the business to the bank, constantly change your time and routes
- Never let large amounts of money accumulate in the register
- Keep doors that lead to unauthorized areas locked
- Frequently check your alarm system
- Use 'Bait Money' or have the serial numbers of some bills recorded for evidence
- Never reopen your business for anyone after you closed
- Avoid wearing expensive jewelry and other items of great value
During a robbery:
- Remain calm
- Obey commands
- Try to secretly set the alarm off
- Tell the robber something that might surprise him such as someone in the backroom or arriving soon
- Try to get a good idea of his physcial appearance
- Note his/her 'method of operation' (techniques, procedures the robber used to carry out the crime) for the police
Shoplifting:
- Carefully watch the hand and arm movements of your customers
- Many potential shoplifters use abnormal eye and neck movements so beware of 'daring, shifting, and jittery' eyes
- Beware of customers who try to distract you, those who loiter, congregate in large groups and who carry open purses or large packages
- Potential shoplifters are unusually nervous, and may be startled when they are greeted
- Post warning signs that state your business vigorously watches for and prosecutes all shoplifters
- Follow suspected shoplifters to make them nervous but never attempt to physically or verbally confront them
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