Crime Prevention as defined is the anticipation, recognition, and appraisal of a crime risk, and the initiation of some action to remove or reduce it.

You can have a significant effect upon the security of your residence by taking a few moments to assess its weaknesses and a few more moments to take simple actions to eliminate or strengthen those weaknesses.

Whether you own your residence or are a tenant does not materially affect your ability to take action to prevent crime; if you rent, however, you must seek permission from the owner or agent for the property where you reside to make any permanent changes to those premises.

GENERAL GOOD PRACTICE

Experience has demonstrated three basic concepts repeatedly:

(1) The appearance that an occupant is present and is attentive to the condition of the property is, in itself, a potent deterrent to would-be criminals, and (2) physical security equipment is absolutely worthless unless used, and (3) the component in any security system most likely to fail is the human one.

Keeping your residence neat and clean, in good repair, and giving the appearance of being home is the first fundamental step toward preventing crime there.

The second fundamental step toward home crime prevention is to be a good neighbor. Get to know your neighbors and their habits to the extent that you can recognize deviations from normal behavior.

Call the police when you observe a stranger behaving in a suspicious manner. A cooperative neighborhood can increase everyone's collective home security with very little individual effort or time.

A third fundamentals step is to take prompt action to address maintenance problems affecting your security; report burnt-out lights, uncollected trash, graffiti, broken windows, defective security systems and other conditions which detract from the secure appearance of your residence promptly to the appropriate authorities for correction.

Finally, make an effort to cooperate with and support your law enforcement provider. Introduce yourself to the officers who patrol your neighborhood; participate in organized security meetings and programs such as Neighborhood Watch, or National Night Out; and ensure that your address is prominently marked on your curb, home, or apartment.

SECURITY AND CONVENIENCE

Security and convenience are mutually exclusive; you can't change one without affecting the other. Security is never convenient, and convenience usually degrades security. Only you can decide what is the appropriate mix of security and convenience for you.

Some of these decisions are "no-brainers", whether to have a lock on your entrance door, for instance. Others are less obvious, and many are counter-intuitive.

You have to THINK about security, and security needs to be one of your personal priorities. In some rental properties, some of these choices have been made for you, and there are consequences should you avoid or defeat the security procedures and devices which have been installed for your and other occupants protection.

In a private residence, you and your family can choose to have as much or as little security as you are comfortable with. In any setting, choosing inappropriately can be very costly in terms not only of assets, but in personal injury. We urge you to give security careful consideration and ensure you make an informed decision.

ASSESSING YOUR HOME'S VULNERABILITY

In order to "harden your home", you might have to learn to "think like a thief". Consider how a criminal might attack you, your home, or your belongings, and eliminate as many of the opportunities or vulnerable points as you can.

When you've done your best, ask a trusted friend to try the same thing. When you've addressed any new deficiencies your friend points out, then consider asking your local law enforcement provider whether they conduct home security surveys, if they do schedule one.

OUTSIDE THE HOME

Your efforts to harden your home should actually start with consideration of how your home is identified. If you reside in rental property, is the street address prominently posted? If the apartments are individually numbered or lettered, is that designation also prominently displayed on or adjacent to your door? You want to ensure that emergency service providers can find you if necessary!

Consider how your name appears on public listings like mailboxes and telephone directories; it is generally considered prudent for females not to list their first name, but instead to list a first initial and last name.

While un-listing your telephone number costs extra with some providers, the privacy may be worth the cost. Bear in mind, however, that un-listing your number will not prevent random malicious calls or telephone solicitation. Don't forget about internet address books if you want your information unlisted.

MARKING YOUR PROPERTY

The single best protection against theft loss is to mark every piece of property you own as yours. Deterrent value is inherent in marking, and can be increased by posting warnings that property on your premises is marked. Recording the serial numbers and other identifiers during the marking process helps ensure that you can positively identify your property if it is taken and subsequently recovered, or that you can prove ownership if there is some question.

almost any article can be marked in some manner. While engraving is best and the most common means of marking personal property, scratching with a diamond stylus, marking with indelible pen, etching with a chemical solution, and painting on ownership marks are also frequently used methods. Your ability to mark is limited only by your imagination. Many police departments have electric engravers they will loan, but these tools cost less than $10. at many hardware vendors; having one on hand ensures you can mark new property as it is acquired.

You should keep an inventory of your personal property in a safe place so that in the event of theft or other loss, you have the information needed to make a police report and/or an insurance claim.

FOR SENIOR CITIZENS

One of the best ways to take an active part in crime prevention is to become alert and aware of what's going on around you. Each person should strive to develop an observant and active attitude each day. As a result, you become aware of strange cars, persons or circumstances which might be dangerous and require calling the police. Not every stranger you encounter is a criminal by any means but criminals will look for easy opportunities to get something of value.

DON'T BE A VICTIM OF FRAUD

If someone offers a deal that sounds too good to be true, it probably is. Every day people get taken in by different schemes.

Con artists defraud and cheat unsuspecting citizens out of several billion dollars each year. The swindler's prime target is the senior citizen. Swindlers seek out the elderly as easy marks for many reasons. Many senior citizens live on social security and pensions supplemented by savings. They may be looking for ways to supplement their incomes through investments, home business opportunities or retirement properties.

Most con artists promise "incredible bargains" or "quick money". Unfortunately senior citizens are just as vulnerable as everybody else when it comes to get rich quick schemes.

Swindlers are usually well-dressed, talkative and intelligent. After all, they are trying to win your confidence.

CON ARTIST SCHEMES

Con artist schemes come in a variety of situations, Just to name a few, but not all:

Remember, anything that sounds too good to be true might be just that. Call your bank officer before withdrawing a large sum of money from your personal account to make a purchase or close a deal. Remember, most criminals want the easiest way to get something of value.

PURSE SNATCH

"Purse Snatching" is a common crime, but not widely publicized. Any woman can be a target for this offense, even though elderly women seem to be more vulnerable.

You can minimize your chances of becoming a victim of purse snatching by following these simple rules:

The most frequent areas for purse snatching are bus stops, grocery stores, and shopping center parking lots.

The harder you make it, the less likely you are to become a victim of a crime.

CELLULAR TELEPHONES

Cellular telephone crimes are on the rise all over the country. With smaller and cheaper phones available just about everyone has at least one.

Theft of Cellular Telephones. Generally this occurs when a person leaves the phone unattended or in plain view inside their car. When the phone is stolen it usually is sold and eventually re-programmed so it can be activated with a new account.

Theft of Cellular Telephone Service. With this type of crime you won't even know it happened until you receive your phone bill. The Electronic Serial Number (ESN) and Account Identification Number can be taken from you anytime your phone is powered on. The stolen information is then re-programmed into a stolen cellular phone and is sold. All the phone calls made on that phone are billed to the account of the person whose numbers were stolen. This is called a cloned phone. This is why it is important to check your phone bill every month.

What can you do to prevent yourself from becoming a cellular phone fraud victim?

Keep your cellular phone out of sight. If you keep your phone in your car keep the phone in your glove box or trunk where it can be locked, even in your own driveway.

If you find calls billed to your account that you did not make contact and work with your cellular carrier, not only to correct the bill but to put the criminal behind bars!

CHARITABLE CONTRIBUTIONS

Confine your charitable giving to reputable established organizations, preferably those with a local branch. If solicited by an individual for personal charity, don't give cash; offer to buy the individual food or drink or refer them to local assistance resources. If solicited for an unfamiliar organized charity, ask for literature so you can make an informed decision about giving; any reputable organization will be glad to provide material.

If solicited by telephone, do not give out credit card numbers or personal information not listed in the telephone directory, and don't allow the organization to come to your home until you are certain of their reliability. Instead, ask them to send you information so you can make an informed decision and mail in your donation.

With the exception of local organizations, door-to-door sales are often fraudulent, and should be viewed with skepticism. If it sounds too good to be true, it usually is.

Under consumer protection laws, you have a right to written information about any offer, and the right to cancel any order within three days should you reconsider your decision. Make sure you obtain enough information to enable you to re-contact the vendor or his/her office in the event you have questions or change your mind. If you don't want to be bothered by door-to-door solicitors, must locations have a law that solicitors must avoid homes which display a "NO SOLICITORS" sign; bear in mind this usually doesn't apply to religious proselytizing or charitable organizations.

For further information about consumer protection laws, contact the State Attorney General's Office.

Last Updated: November 10, 2006