Crime Prevention Tips

Crime and the fear of crime create special problems for the elderly. Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility, not just a job for law enforcement. Seniors can learn how to protect themselves from crime by following these simple, commonsense suggestions. Share these tips with your neighbors and friends, to make it tough for criminals to work in your neighborhood.

AT HOME . . .

• Never open your door automatically. Install and use a peephole.
• Lock your doors and windows. (Three quarters of the burglaries involving older persons involved unlocked doors and windows; and, less than one half of these robberies are reported.) Keep your garage doors locked.
• Vary your daily routine.
• Use "Neighbor Watch" to keep an eye on your neighborhood. A concerned neighbor is often the best protection against crime because suspicious persons and activities are noticed and reported to police promptly.
• Don't leave notes on the door when going out.
• Leave lights on when going out at night; use a timer to turn lights on and off when you are away for an extended period.
• Notify neighbors and the police when going away on a trip. Cancel deliveries such as newspapers and arrange for someone - a neighbor's child, perhaps - to mow the lawn if need be. Arrange for your mail to be held by the Post Office, or ask a neighbor to collect it for you.
• Be wary of unsolicited offers to make repairs to your home. Deal only with reputable businesses.
• Keep an inventory with serial numbers and photographs of resaleable appliances, antiques and furniture. Leave copies in a safe place.
• Don't hesitate to report crime or suspicious activities.
• Install deadbolt locks on all your doors.
• Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out; keep curtains closed.
• Ask for proper identification from delivery persons or strangers. Don't be afraid of asking . . . if they are legitimate they won't mind.
• If a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him or her yourself.
• Never let a stranger into your home. Do not leave notes on your door when you are gone, and do not hide your keys under the mat or in other conspicuous places.
• Never give out information over the phone indicating you are alone or that you won't be home at a certain time.
• When you are gone for more than a day, make sure your home looks and sounds occupied . . . use an automatic timer to turn on lights, radio or TV.
• If you arrive at home and suspect a stranger may be inside, DON'T GO IN. Leave quietly and call 911 to report the crime.

WALKING . . .

• If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle. Do not pursue your attacker. Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible.
• Avoid walking alone at night. Try to have a friend accompany you in high risk areas . . . even during the daytime.
• Avoid carrying weapons . . . they may be used against you.
• Always plan your route and stay alert to your surroundings. Walk confidently.
• Have a companion accompany you.
• Stay away from buildings and doorways; walk in well-lighted areas.
• Have your key ready when approaching your front door.
• Don't dangle your purse away from your body. (Twelve percent of all crimes against the elderly are purse snatchings and street robberies.)
• Don't carry large, bulky shoulder bags; carry only what you need. Better yet, sew a small pocket inside your jacket or coat. If you don't have a purse, no one will try to snatch it.

WHILE SHOPPING . . .

• Carry your purse very close to you . . . don't dangle it from your arm. Never leave your purse in a shopping cart. Never leave your purse unattended.
• Don't carry any more cash than is necessary. Many grocery stores now accept checks and automatic teller cards instead of cash.
• Don't display large sums of cash.
• Use checks where possible.

IN YOUR CAR . . .

• Always keep your car doors locked, whether you are in or out of your car. Keep your gas tank full and your engine properly maintained to avoid breakdowns.
• If your car breaks down, pull over to the right as far as possible, raise the hood, and wait INSIDE the car for help. Avoid getting out of the car and making yourself a target before police arrive.
• At stop signs and traffic lights, keep the car in gear.
• Travel well-lit and busy streets. Plan your route.
• Don't leave your purse on the seat beside you; put it on the floor, where it is more difficult for someone to grab it.
• Lock bundles or bags in the trunk. If interesting packages are out of sight, a thief will be less tempted to break in to steal them.
• When returning to your car, check the front and back seat before entering.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.

BANKING . . .

• Many criminals know exactly when government checks arrive each month, and may pick that day to attack. Avoid this by using Direct Deposit, which sends your money directly from the government to the bank of your choice. And, at many banks, free checking accounts are available to senior citizens. Your bank has all the information.
• Never withdraw money from your bank accounts for anyone except YOURSELF. Be wary of con artists and get-rich schemes that probably are too-good-to-be- true.
• You should store valuables in a Safe Deposit Box.
• Never give your money to someone who calls on you, identifying himself as a bank official. A bank will never ask you to remove your money. Banks need the use of your money, and they don't want one of their customers to invite crime by having large amounts of cash around.
• When someone approaches you with a get-rich-quick-scheme involving some or all of YOUR savings, it is HIS get-rich-quick-scheme. If it is a legitimate investment, the opportunity to contribute your funds will still be there tomorrow-after you have had time to consider it.
• If you have been swindled or conned, report the crime to your local police or Prosecuting Attorney's office. Con-artists count on their victim's reluctance to admit they've been duped, but if you delay you help them get away. Remember, if you never report the crime, they are free to cheat others again and again and you have no chance of ever getting your money back.