Always
leave your headlights on when arriving home after dark
until you have unlocked the garage door.
When
arriving home by private auto or taxi, ask the driver
to wait unto you are safely inside.
Have
the door key in your hand so you can open the door
immediately when you return home.
If
you are a woman alone, list only your first initial
and last name on the mailbox, or in the telephone
directory.
When
moving into a new apartment or residence, ALWAYS have
the locks re-keyed, or changed.
Know
who is at your door before opening it. Wide angle door
viewers (180 degrees or 190 degrees) enable you to
identify the visitor. You can see the person, that
person can't see you.
Never
rely on chain locks. They are a privacy lock, but not
a security lock.
Never
dress in front of windows, always close your drapes.
Never
let anyone into your home without proper
identification. Don't be afraid to ask for
identification.
Never
let strangers into your home to use the telephone.
Make the call for them while they wait outside.
Always
leave outside lights on after dark, or use motion
lights.
If
you receive a wrong number phone call, don't give out
your name or phone number.
If
you receive an obscene phone call, hang up and call
police.
In
an apartment building, NEVER be alone in the laundry
room.
If
you suspect that someone is in your house, do not go
in. Go to a neighbor and call the police.
If
you see or hear anything suspicious, call the police.
At
Places of Business
Opening
the business:
Have two employees together meet and unlock the
business. One should stay outside, while the other
checks the interior. After clearing, both may enter.
Closing
the Business:
Employees should accompany each other to their
vehicles-- especially at night. If this is not possible,
perhaps a security guard for the shopping center can
escort the last employee to his/her car.
Bank
Deposits:
Making bank deposits alone can be dangerous. Employees
making deposits should always go in pairs. If you are
alone, vary deposit times and carry the deposit inside a
purse or a plain bag. Do not use a bank bag or a bag
with a name on it.
NEVER
make deposits after closing, as this is an obvious for
hold-ups.
Taking
out the trash:
Doing this in pairs is much safer, both for the
employees and the business.
Panic
buttons:
Install panic buttons at the front counter. Make sure
there are phones near both front and rear entrances.
Controlling
Access:
This enhances personal security. Keep secondary exits
locked. Limit access to secondary exits by non-employees
by having doors alarmed and labeled
"EMERGENCY
EXIT ONLY"
or limit access to the area around the door.
Keep
Restrooms Locked:
Be in control of access to restrooms, storage areas,
etc. This prevents assailants from hiding in waiting and
"breakouts."
ID
Badges for Access Control:
They are only as good as the enforcement of the policy.
Visibility:
This increases safety. Keep parking and walking areas
well lit, and keep the area around the building clear of
debris. Stacks of boxes and pallets can be hiding places
for assailants. Install mirrors or Closed Circuit TV in
rooms with blind corners and in enclosed parking
facilities.
While
You Are Out
Try
NOT to go out alone at night. Avoid unfamiliar areas, if
possible.
Don't
take shortcuts: don't walk in or near alleys, and don't
walk on deserted streets.
Use
caution in parking lots, and don't walk in poorly
lighted areas, or dark doorways, or near shrubbery.
Don't
accept rides from strangers, and don't respond to
comments from strangers on the street.
Don't
get into an empty elevator with a stranger. If you do
ride with another person, stand near the control panel
and if attacked, press an many of the control buttons as
possible.
Don't
hitchhike, and if someone suspicious is following you,
cross the street and walk into an open business.
Watch
your surroundings and be alert for suspicious persons,
especially around banks, stores, street, and your car or
home.
If
you are alone at work after business hours, keep the
door locked.
If
you work late, ask the security guard or a co-worker to
walk you to your car.
When
meeting a new friend, exchange phone numbers only, not
addresses. On a first date, let family and friends know
where you are going. Consider a daytime meeting rather
than a night meeting, for a first date, and meet in a
public place.
It
is never a good idea to go to a nightclub alone, and if
you do, provide your own transportation.
Keep
your space - Intimate space - 0 to 1.5 feet Personal
space - 1.5 to 4 feet Social space - 4 to 12 feet Public
space - 12 feet or more.
Don't
allow alcohol or drugs to impair your judgment. If you
haven't already set a few social standards, do so and
stick to them. Don't allow an overly aggressive pursuer
to change your mind.
In
Your Automobile
Never
pickup hitchhikers.
Don't
park in the dark.
Never
leave your keys in the car.
Never
allow another vehicle to follow you home.
Have
your keys in hand so you can open the car door without
delay.
Always
keep your car in gear when stopped at a traffic signal
or stop sign, so if threatened in any way, you can
quickly drive away.
Always
check the back seat of your car before getting in.
If
you stop to aid others, do not get out of the car. Ask
what the problem is, and go to the nearest phone and
call the police.
Always
lock your doors while driving.
Always
prearrange meeting with anyone so you do not have to
wait alone.
What
To Do If You Are Attacked
Use
common sense. Try to talk your way out of it.
Stall
for time.
Be
verbally assertive.
Distract
or divert the assailant, then flee. Run toward an open
business or a group of people. Hide if you get the
opportunity.
Scream
loudly, and keep it up to attract attention and help
from people near by.
If
the attacker threatens you with a deadly weapon, and
you come out of it alive, you took the proper course
of action. During an armed attack, you must decide the
proper course of action. There is no hard and fast
rule as to self defense. You must consider your
physical capabilities, your location, and your
perceived chances of success. If you cannot escape,
bide your time and look for another opportunity, a
half-hearted attempt could be worse than no attempt at
all.
Notify
the police immediately, when you get the opportunity,
and if there are witnesses, ask them to stay until
police arrive.
And
finally, if a crime occurs, report it. When you report
a crime and all the facts about it, it helps the
police to assign officers in the places where crimes
are occurring or where they are most likely to occur.
If you don't report a crime, this allows the criminal
to operate without interference. Tell the police what
you know. No fact is too trivial.
Robbery
Prevention Tips
Avoid
poorly lit areas. If you must walk through such areas,
walk purposefully and with an air of confidence.
When
walking to your vehicle, have your car keys in hand,
before walking across the parking lot. When your enter
your vehicle, immediately lock you doors.
When
driving, keep your doors locked at all times and your
car windows rolled up to the point that an arm can't be
stuck into you vehicle.
When
possible, don't walk alone or on dark streets, or take
short cuts through deserted area.
Avoid
displaying large amounts of cash, and keep tempting
targets, such as jewelry, as hidden as much as possible.
Before
you use a bank's automated teller machine, be observant.
Look around the area for people loitering. If you see a
suspicious person or persons, do not use that machine at
that time.
Whenever
possible, park your car in a well-lit area and as close
to an open business as possible.