| Crime prevention is everybody's business. | | | | construction sites. |
| It's not just a job for the police. | | | | |
| Common-sense measures-like locking a door, | | | | -Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or |
| joining Neighborhood Watch, going to the bank | | | | other tempting targets, such as expensive |
| with a friend can all help prevent crimes. | | | | jewelry. |
| Many older men and women greatly fear crime | | | | |
| even though, statistically, their risk of | | | | -If somebody takes your purse or a package, |
| being victimized is low. | | | | stay balanced, move away and yell for help. |
| | | | |
| The following tips help you reduce your risk | | | | -Keep a can of pepper spray for protection. |
| of being a crime victim. These common-sense | | | | |
| actions also empower you by building | | | | When waiting for the bus, only choose |
| confidence in your ability to protect | | | | well-lighted stops. |
| yourself and be independent: | | | | |
| | | | -Don't fall asleep. Stay alert! |
| Your Neighbors - Your First Line of Defense | | | | |
| | | | -Watch who gets on or off the bus with you. |
| -Work out a buddy system with a neighbor. | | | | If you get scared or feel unsafe, go to a |
| Check on each other every day. | | | | place where there are others or sit beside |
| | | | the driver. |
| -Let neighbors know when you go on a trip so | | | | |
| they can watch out for your house or | | | | When Driving Your Car: |
| apartment. Return the favor when they go | | | | |
| away. | | | | -Always lock your car doors. Never leave keys |
| | | | in the ignition when you leave the car, even |
| -Join a neighborhood watch program. | | | | for a few minutes. |
| | | | |
| When You Are Home: | | | | -When you drive, keep the doors locked and |
| | | | windows up. Park in well-lighted, busy areas. |
| -Lock your doors and windows! Get good locks | | | | |
| and use them. Exterior doors-deadbolt lock. | | | | -Always know how to get where you are going |
| Sliding doors-special lock or broom handle in | | | | before you leave. |
| door track. Windows- good lock or pins for | | | | |
| all accessible windows. | | | | -Don't leave valuables visible to view in |
| | | | your locked vehicle. Lock them in the trunk. |
| -Light up your property! Insure all your | | | | |
| porches, entryways and yard have adequate | | | | -Never, never pick up hitchhikers. |
| lighting. Put timers on your lights for when | | | | |
| you come home after dark. | | | | -If you have car problems, be especially wary |
| | | | of strangers who offer help. Stay in the car |
| -Use a wide-angle peephole (installed at your | | | | and ask them to call a service truck and the |
| height) to identify people who come to the | | | | police. |
| front door. | | | | |
| | | | -Keep your gas tank at least half full at all |
| -Get an alarm that you can put across your | | | | times. |
| driveway to alert you when someone drives in. | | | | |
| | | | Don't Be Fooled by Con Men: |
| -Require salesmen and service people to | | | | |
| provide you with identification before you | | | | Con artists prey on older people who worry |
| let them in your house. You can always call | | | | about insurance, investments, and maintaining |
| someone's employer for verification. | | | | their homes. Regardless of how nice and |
| | | | polite someone may seem, be suspicious of any |
| -Be sensible about keys. Don't put an address | | | | proposal that sounds too good to be true, has |
| tag on your key ring, and don't hide an extra | | | | to be kept secret, or requires immediate |
| key under a doormat or flower pot. | | | | cash. Call the Better Business Bureau or the |
| | | | police. Be especially wary of: |
| -Hang up immediately on harassing or obscene | | | | |
| phone calls. If the caller won't leave you | | | | -"Get rich quick" opportunities or schemes |
| alone, call police and the phone company. | | | | for which you have to put up good-faith |
| | | | money. |
| -For an extra measure of protection: Don't | | | | |
| keep large amounts of cash at home. | | | | -Bargains on home repairs or improvements; |
| | | | |
| -Use Direct Deposit for Social Security or | | | | -Investments that promise unusually high |
| pension checks. | | | | returns; |
| | | | |
| -Call 911 if you need the police, fire, or | | | | -Someone claiming you owe money for an item |
| paramedics. | | | | ordered by a deceased relative; |
| | | | |
| -Mark valuable property like televisions, | | | | -Door to door salesmen, work from home scams, |
| VCRs, cameras with an Operation | | | | phone solicitors, health insurance offers, |
| Identification number. | | | | health cures, too-cheap glasses and hearing |
| | | | aids from unknown callers, charities you've |
| If you suspect a burglar has broken into your | | | | never heard of. |
| home, don't go in. Go to your next-door | | | | |
| neighbor and call 911. | | | | Here are some facts about security and |
| | | | seniors: |
| When You Are Out: | | | | |
| | | | People over 65 actually have a lower crime |
| -Keep alert and aware of what is going on | | | | rate for most types of crimes compared to |
| around you. Don't daydream. | | | | other age groups, except for purse snatching. |
| | | | |
| -Go out with a friend whenever possible. | | | | Everyone fears violent crime, but those types |
| | | | of crimes are the least likely to happen. |
| -When you walk- look relaxed and confident. | | | | |
| | | | Most murders and assaults are committed by |
| -Trust your instincts. If something makes you | | | | relatives or friends, not by strangers. |
| feel unsafe - leave. | | | | |
| | | | Statistics aside, when older people are |
| -Try carrying a small change purse with only | | | | victimized-even by a minor crime- effects can |
| the money or credit cards that you need, | | | | be physically, emotionally, and financially |
| instead of a large handbag with straps. Keep | | | | devastating. |
| your wallet in an inside jacket or front | | | | |
| pants pocket. | | | | If you are the victim of a crime, help is |
| | | | just a phone call away. Call 911 to report |
| -Don't burden yourself with packages, and | | | | all crime, no matter how minor or |
| don't wear shoes or clothing that restrict | | | | embarrassing. They can link you up with |
| your movements. | | | | victim service agencies, the district |
| | | | attorney's office, and other agencies whose |
| -Walk on well-lighted, busy streets. Stay | | | | staff are there to help you. |
| away from vacant lots, alleys, or | | | | |