| A lot of theft happens after an emergency or | | | | prevention. The more people watching your |
| disaster, and those who have their homes | | | | home, the better. Members of the neighborhood |
| damaged are especially susceptible. One reason is | | | | watch can document suspicious activity to use as |
| that the family will probably not be home. Also | | | | evidence later and more crimes can be prevented |
| police may not be available, because of other | | | | during a disaster. |
| priorities such as saving lives or evacuating the | | | | Rural Areas. "No trespassing" signs are often |
| infirm. Phone lines and cell phone towers may be | | | | posted, but are not too affective. For extra |
| down as well. | | | | protection consider buying n to protect your |
| Read the following tips to help keep looters from | | | | home and for self defense; small rifles or pistols |
| your destroyed home: | | | | are advised. These can be used by adults with a |
| Lock valuables in a Safe. Buy the most durable | | | | gun license to defend their property from |
| and most secure safe you can afford. Inside can | | | | intruders. Violent crime sometimes is used to |
| be stored family keepsakes, rare coins and other | | | | force victims to comply during theft or looting |
| valuable collectables, wedding rings, gold, jewelry | | | | after a disaster. When using a gun for |
| and spare cash. Emergency supplies like spare | | | | self-protection, please use it cautiously and wisely. |
| clothes, food, and medicine can be stored there, | | | | If you do need to shoot someone, be ready to |
| too. If you want to go the extra mile, pour a | | | | prove in court that it definitely was self-defense. |
| cement floor in your closet or basement and set | | | | For further disaster crime prevention information |
| your safe into it before it dries. Nobody will walk | | | | and tips, consult with your local law enforcement |
| away with that safe, not even yourself. | | | | offices, and emergency centers. May you and |
| Neighborhood watch team. Join your neighborhood | | | | your family be spared the ordeal of a natural |
| watch program, or start one if there is none; it's | | | | disaster or other emergency . |
| one of the more effective modes of crime | | | | |