Crime prevention and victim services help address the special vulnerability to crime and violence of some elderly people.

Crime Problem Addressed

Elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the crimes of burglars, purse snatchers, petty thieves, and con artists. They fear crime, especially violent crime, and that fear causes many to remain in their homes. This strategy addresses their fear of crime and provides crime prevention services to minimize both fear and crime.

Key Components

The components of this strategy include the following:

• a communication network to keep the elderly alert to potential crime
• information and training on how to report crime
• services to support elderly victims in dealing with the physical, emotional, and financial impacts of crime
• access to products, training, and other services to help prevent victimization.

After this try to find the signs of success.

Signs of Success

Working with the police and social service programs, grass-roots community groups such as Neighborhood Watch can greatly reduce the fear of crime among the elderly and help keep them safe. Some religious and other community groups help the elderly by providing escorts and shopping or transportation services. Such services add greatly to the individual’s safety and sense of well-being.

The Atlanta, Georgia, police department has a special Neighborhood Watch program that is tailored to older residents. It establishes a “buddy system” in which neighbors check up on one another, accompany one another to the bank, store, or doctor’s appointment, and watch over homes when neighbors are away. All crime reports listing elderly persons as victims are forwarded to the crime prevention unit. Its officers contact the victim, call a neighbor or relative if the person is still fearful, make follow-up visits, and link the victim to any needed social services. The program serves hundreds of Atlanta’s senior citizens each year.

 

 

Remote Wipe or Lock

Do you want all that data to go in to wrong hands? No, right? Use products that allow you to remotely erase the data in the laptop, if you can lock it remotely, even better! Wiping the data is the best option if you have a good, reliable product. Also, before you leave back up all your data. Sometimes your stolen laptop won’t hurt as much as your lost data. Don’t wait for the last minute, if you’re free back up now.

Keep it with you

Maybe you put the laptop in your bag or its in a padded case, don’t let it be far from you. In fact, keep it with you. If you’re standing in some queue or waiting in the lounge don’t put your bag away from you. Keep it near.

Protection

Keep your laptop password protected. Although, hackers have innovated some smart ways to get through the encryption, you can still give them a hard time. However, the chances are minute that a thief turns out to be a hacker and takes all your financial information. When you are traveling try to lock the folders which have all the data with a different password.

Some more tips…

If you want to transfer some files to a friend and have to discuss them over at his house, use online cloud services or a portable storage device. And last of all I don’t think you would need a laptop with you. Only take it out with you when you know you can take care of it.

Keep Safe!

Find My iPhone

This is the best app to keep your phone safe. It was made by Apple; its simple, easy and super useful. The app pin points the position of your phone on a web portal on a map. You can also remote lock the phone so the thief doesn’t get your number or financial information.

Check

Whenever someone bumps you or whenever you leave a restaurant always tap your pockets to check if your phone is there. This is a very effective way and I always do with whenever I’m out. Also, always take a glance at the table or the couch if someone else forgot his or her phone.

Gotcha Pro Alarm System

If you don’t want Find My iPhone then this is for you. This will keep track of your phone and also supports E-mail and Twitter notifications.

Siri is vulnerable

You can access Siri from the lock screen by holding down the home button. This is a vulnerability which a thief can make use of. “But you can turn this off and enable Siri only when a phone is unlocked. To do this, go to the Passcode screen and move the Siri slider to Off.”

Some more tips…

Awareness is the key to keeping anything secure. Whenever you go out always remind yourself you have a phone or a tablet. If you have friends with you tell them to keep an eye out when you are leaving a place.

If you or someone in your family get caught up in between a shooting incident its better to know some useful tips rather than knowing nothing. Something is better than nothing. Jane Boursaw posted some extremely useful tips if you find yourself in a shooting incident in a cenima or a public places.

1. Increase your distance

Try your best to increase the distance between you and the shooter. The more the distance the harder for them to aim. This doesn’t mean you just dash! No. Look, think and then make your move. Try your best that they don’t see you. “He’s looking for targets, and he can do a lot of damage in a few seconds,” says Ned Timmons, a security expert and former FBI agent. Once you get the distance, hide!

2. Common Sense. Please.

The best and easiest way to keep yourself safe is to use your head. I guess there’s no need to wear extra jewellery at a mall or even a cinema. Don’t attract a shooter towards you! “Use a purse with a cross-body strap. Avoid ATM machines at night. And skip the headphones while out and about.”

3. Cellphones!

It’s not wise to use a cellphone in a dark theater but keeping it handy may safe you from an avoidable disaster. Put your cellphone on a vibrator so no one gets disturbed. Don’t turn if off. Cellphones are super handy and extremely useful in such situations.

4. Buddy System

It’s better that you go outwith a friend so that you both can keep an eye out for each other. “More eyes means more awareness of the room and people. It’s also more fun to see a movie with a friend.”

5. Attention!

Stay alert. Whenever you are out always have your eyes and ears wide open. Awareness is the key skill that can increase your personal security by a huge amount. Beware of what’s happening in your surroundings. If someones is following you, you need to call the police. Sidestep if someone walks close by you.

These tips are very useful in situations where suddenly a psycho guy abruptly starts shooting without even aiming at first. But let’s not hope that anyone of us find ourselves in these disastrous incidents.

Here is what you can do to keep your car safe.

Park in well-lit area

When it comes to thieves, trust me they are afraid of light. Try to park your underneath a lamp post or a light sign. It is much to spot a thief in such conditions. The best things you can do is to park in front of a 24-hour store.

Use Wheel Locks

Locks are crucial nowadays. Personal safety awareness programs stress a lot on the use of locks. On cars, doors, bikes etc. The advantage of a wheel lock is that even if a thief breaks  into your cars, he still won’t get his prize.

Take your valuable with you

Some thieves aren’t looking to take the big fish instead their on the hunt for the things people leave in their car. Keeping your stuff with you is the best way to ensure that they are not stolen. If you have to leave some stuff in your car, put them in the trunk or somewhere hidden in the car.

Alarms, Doors and Windows

We talked about wheel locks but here are a couple of more tips. Use alarms system which are really very effective. When a thief tries to break in your car, the alarm will go off. And an alarm going off late at night is the last thing the neighborhood hood wants.

Keep all the doors of the car locked. Check twice, if you have to. An open car lock is the last thing you want.Take a close look if all the windows are completely closed. A thief can open a car door even if the window is an inch down. Always check before you leave your car.

Keep Safe!

The use of the right of self-defense as a legal justification for the use of force in times of danger is available in many jurisdictions, but the interpretation varies widely.

This does not mean that you try to defend yourself even when you have a way out. Always try to look for an escape route. You never know what the thief might do; pull out a gun or a knife.

Here are a few tips to keep you safe from robbers. From Well + Good NYC.

1. Stay alert. Be aware of people near you and of your surroundings—in your home, on the street, at work, at school, and other places you frequent.
2. If you think you are being followed, try changing your pace or crossing the street. Do not lead a potential attacker to your home. Instead go to a store or another populated place.
3. You can choose to ignore or respond to a verbal harasser, depending on your comfort level. In either case, remain aware of the person or group. Take into account your potential allies in the vicinity, the environment (any safer places?), and your ability to physically defend yourself.

If you are attacked:
1. Stay active and keep thinking, “What can I do?”
2. Yell and make a scene—attackers often expect us to be silent. Use a loud voice to draw attention and to let the attacker know you will not be an easy target.
3. Strike for the eyes, nose, throat, knees, groin—all attackers have vulnerable places on their bodies.
4. Use things you have with you (keys, pens, bags) or things you can pick up (garbage, rocks) as weapons or shields.
5. As soon as the opportunity arises, get away.

6. Be sure to contact the authorities so they can catch the thief.

7. Immediatly let your family know that your are safe and sound.

Do lots of research on the society and the culture of the country and specially on how the locals interact with each other and tourists. For example, if you don’t get a guide in Egypt they’re going to annoy you! Tourists have also reported numerous scams. Try to read as much experiences written by people who have been there. One good website for this is VirtualTourist.

Be smart when you’re filling up your pocket with money. Thieves usually think that people carry money inside their wallets so if you have everything there, you’re going to lose it. Fill your wallet with two or three useless cards and keep the money and credit cards in a separate pocket without a wallet.

Memorize the important stuff which you think you might need in emergency situations. For example, the name, street and district of the hotel you are living in. Always memorize the phone number of your country’s embassy, the local authorities and relatives back at home.

These are the basic things which you should do before you are on the plane because the place you are going to be in a couple of hours will be totally new to you.

Keep safe and have fun!

An average loss in a burglary is $1991 and in 2007 the total loss of property was estimated to be $4.3 billion. However, the good news is that these statistics were down by 0.2% in a research conducted by The Uniform Crime Reporting Program which tracked 100 years of crime statistics. Memphis Police Department have ways to prevent such crimes.

The burglary basics:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
• Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
• Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
• Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.
• Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Don’t tempt a thief: 

• Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.
• Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
• Use curtains on garage and basement windows.
• Never leave notes on your door such as “Gone shopping.”

Locks…get the best:

• No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.
• Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.
• When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Targeting the Outside:

• Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
• Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
• Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows:

• Most windows can be pinned for security.
• Drill a 3/16″ hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame – place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms:

• An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
• Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

• Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside.
• Use a neighbor’s phone to call police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.
• Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

Other precautions you should take:

• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places — burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
• Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9­1­1 immediately.

• Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver you can borrow from your precinct. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
• Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
• Consider installing a burglar alarm system.

Use Recommendations (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

concern overshadows our own safety. In fact, we first need to be concerned about ourselves and then about others. Here are some tips from the UCSD Police Department to keep you safe!

Driving

Try to implement the following tips in to your daily routine.

• Have your keys in your hand as you approach your car.
• Lock your doors when driving and after parking.
• Check the backseat and floor before entering your car.
• Keep your valuables out of sight, under the seat, or in the glove compartment or trunk.
• Park in well-lighted areas.
• If you have car trouble, signal for help by raising the hood or tying a handkerchief to the door handle. Remain in your car with doors locked until identifiable help arrives. Should another motorist offer to help, roll down the window slightly and ask them to call the police or an auto club.
• Keep an emergency kit containing a flashlight, flares, telephone change, distress signs, and other essentials in your car.
• To protect your car, use a lock bar that prohibits the use of the steering wheel.
• Consider also the installation of an alarm system, ignition by-pass, or fuel shut-off switch in your car.

In the elevator

• Check the inside of an elevator before entering. Wait for the next elevator if you are unsure of the people inside.
• When riding an elevator, stand by the control board. If you feel in danger, press all the buttons and get off the elevator as soon as possible.
• Most elevators on the UCSD campus are equipped with emergency telephones.

Apartment or Home

• Install and use locks on your doors and windows.
• Keep doors locked day or night whether you are home or not.
• Know who is at the door before opening it. Insist on seeing an ID from anyone you do not know.
• If someone comes to your door and asks to use your telephone to call for help, offer instead to make the call.
• Door-to-door solicitation is prohibited on campus. Please report the presence of solicitors to the Police Department.
• Give your home a “someone is home” look. Put radio and lights on a timer.
• Maintain good lighting around entrances.
• Leave spare keys with a friend, not in accessible places.
• Keep emergency numbers near the telephone.

You can also use personal safety applications like SecQ.me on iPhone or Android. These apps are me

nt to reduce crimes by increasing awareness in today’s society. The application keeps track of you using a GPS and notifies the authorities if anything goes wrong.

Keep safe and use SecQ.me!

1. Educate Your Child

This education does not simply mean sending your child to a school but to inform them about the dangers that lie on the street and how to tackle them. For example, a stranger offering a candy does not mean they are nice. ‘Don’t take candy from strangers or don’t talk to strangers’ are good and effective advices. Also try to tell them some of the common physical appearances of most of the non-family abductors. A few facts about these kidnappers reported by NCMEC are that they mostly tend to be male and are younger than 35 years. They are not strangers to children since they first try to gain their confidence and trust.

In case of Halloween, tell your children to go in groups and use a well-lit route and if they are younger than 12 years it’s better that a parent accompanies them.

2. No, Go, Tell Plan

Times reports that the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children’s have a No,Go, Tell plan, which is something like;

• Kids have the right to say no. If a grown-up comes to a child asking for help looking for a puppy or for directions, the child should get a trusted adult to help instead.

• Kids don’t have to be polite. We put a huge premium on making sure our kids are polite to a fault, especially to adults, and that translates into: “do what the man says.”

• Communicate. If a child feels frightened, they should be encouraged to talk with a trusted person: mom, dad, counselor or teacher. The message for parents? Listen to your kids.

A couple of more advices from Ernie Allen (From Times)

• Know where your kids are, especially young children.
• Don’t let them go out alone; there is safety in numbers.
• Know who they’re with.
• Speak openly with them about their safety.
• Practice what you talk about; go over scenarios and ask your kids what they would do.

3. Teens

Although, teens are far more experienced than 10-year olds they still go missing. Many organizations and individuals use technology for the safety of their kid. Nowadays, everyone carries a cellphones and they are the primary source for calling the authorities in case of an emergency. SecQ.me is an application on Android and iPhone, which keeps track of the person where ever he or she goes. Users can also input their destination and route and if they do not reach the place on time the authorities will be alerted. The application uses Google Maps for accurate location and has a web portal where user’s can login and track their loved ones.

If we want to ensure the declining percentage of abductions we will have to care more for our children. In crimes like kidnapping, every hour counts. NCMEC reported that most of the children who went missing were found dead within 3 hours of the kidnapping. Let’s make this world a safer and peaceful place to live in.