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