Last week, Theresa Leider from the Hutchinson Police Department had a conversation with our residents about personal safety. Theresa has been a licensed police officer and has worked for the city of Hutchinson since 1998. She is a general investigator, which means she works any case, property crimes, personal crimes, etc. Her favorite part of her job is that it’s always different and that she gets to help people.
What Can I do to Protect Myself?
There are many things that you can do to protect yourself during these situations. Usually, criminals look for the easiest time and place to commit a crime. Knowing this, ensure that you’re always aware of your surroundings. Make sure that you’re looking for opportunities and remove them before the criminal acts.
Home safety…
What to lock
- Keep your doors locked
- Use deadbolt locks
- Don’t have your ID attached to your keys
- Install new locks whenever you move
- Keep basement and garage doors locked at all times
Windows
- Close your curtains and blinds at night
- Don’t leave your windows open at night
- Use fans for air circulation instead of opening up doors/windows
Doors
- Don’t open the door for strangers
- Don’t let them know that you are home alone
- Don’t use chain locks (they can be forced open)
- If they ask to call someone, make the call for them
- Don’t let strangers use your phone
Pets
- Get a dog for protection
- Even the smallest dogs can provide some protection along with companionship
Valuables
- Keep bank information/valuable paper locked up
- Never carry your social security
- Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number and the state abbreviation
- Keep an inventory of your valuables
- Video tape your valuables so you know what you had and where (proof)
Buddy System
- Have your neighbors always watching out for you
- Report any sort of suspicious activity to your police
- Don’t shop at night
Phone scams
- Don’t ever give personal information over the phone
- If you are a woman that lives alone, don’t tell anyone that
- Hang up if you don’t know who it is
Don’t think because an accident hasn’t happened to you that it can’t happen. – Safety Saying (1900)
Leaving the house
Secure your house
- Make sure everything is locked
- Have a interior light that turns on at night if you don’t come home before dark
- Don’t leave keys outside of your house
- Garage doors should always be closed and locked
Street Safety
- Always be alert and aware of your surroundings
- Avoid walking alone at night
- Make eye contact with people when walking
- Walk close to any curb (avoid alleys, doorways, and bushes)
- Carry your purse close to your body
- Never leave your purse in a shopping cart
- Don’t carry more cash than is necessary
- Walk with a purpose
Vehicle Safety
- Lock your car doors once you get in
- Keep your passenger window rolled up
- Keep your purse on the floor next to you, not the passenger seat
- At night, drive on streets that you are familiar with
- Wear your seatbelt properly
- Use a garage (if you have one) and lock your car while it’s in the garage
- If you park in a driveway, don’t leave your remote control in plain view
- Park under lights and close to the store
- Lock valuables in your trunk
What to do if you’re a victim
Burglarized
- Don’t go in your house if you believe someone is still in there
- Call your local law enforcement
- Don’t touch anything once you get inside
House Break-ins
- Don’t confront the burglar
- Lock yourself in a room if you aren’t able to leave your house safely
- Call 9-1-1 as soon as possible
Get law enforcement involved
- Report any crime that you see or are involved in
- Give details such as weight, height, license plate, appearance and clothing
- Press charges once the criminal is caught (helps protect others)
As your loved ones grow older, they could be at a higher risk for being a target. Common worries are muggings, burglary, fraud, and purse snatchings. As you grow older, you may begin to feel helpless in these situations. There are many different actions that you can take to help reduce your chances of becoming a crime victim or being in any unwanted situation. It’s crucial that you and your loved ones are prepared for any of these situations.
Best,
Danielle Morrow
Marketing Specialist