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Holiday Shopping & Safety Tips Revisited

It’s that time of year again. The days are shorter, the weather is turning colder and the music heard at the mall consists of songs like “Santa Baby” and “White Christmas.” Before you head out with credit cards in hand, here are a few safety tips that may keep the Grinch or anyone else from stealing your Christmas joy. First, let’s be clear: Bad guys are out and about year-round, but it’s during this time that they know people have their minds on other things and not on what is important, safeguarding themselves. Here are a few tips that may help keep you from becoming a victim:

1. When keeping packages in your car, place them in the trunk or in an enclosed area and out of sight. Nothing says “steal me” more than a bag from a high-end electronics store on the front passenger seat.

2. This time of year sees us participating in that ever-so-enjoyable parking lot ballet for a space close to the door. That much coveted space may not only more convenient but safer for you and your valuables. There aren’t many people close enough to pay attention to a couple of suspicious lads trying the doors of a car parked way at the bottom of the lot. Consider giving yourself those few extra minutes to find a spot close to the door or at least under bright light.

3. Ladies, consider carrying your purse or handbag under your winter coat. A thief or purse snatcher can’t steal what he can’t see. If you carry your handbag outside of your coat, consider a purse with a sturdy strap and a good zipper closure and KEEP IT CLOSED. A running bad guy needs only a second to get your cash, credit cards, ID, etc.

4. Recently, there was a rash of thefts at a local grocery store chain of wallets and personal items that were left unattended in the seats of shopping carts. The thieves were eventually caught but only after victimizing a dozen shoppers. Ladies, never leave your purse unattended. Walk through any supermarket and you will inevitably see a woman not only leave her purse open and in the seat of the cart but turn her back on it or walk away to retrieve an item. In my career as a police officer, I’ve taken countless theft reports from victims who told me “I was only gone for a second.” That’s all it takes.

5. Guys, consider carrying your wallet in your front pants pocket or inside coat pocket. Pick-pockets don’t like to get personal or face-to-face.

6. When using your card at the ATM or the checkout, block the keypad with your body or free hand to keep someone behind or beside you from getting your PIN number. A favorite scam of thieves is using a cell phone camera to take a picture of the numbers on the front of a credit card while memorizing the PIN as it is entered. They now have all they need to go shopping courtesy of the victim.

7. When walking in the mall or in the store parking lots, Avoid being too encumbered. Someone weighed down with lots of packages makes a good victim. When walking to your car, always have year keys ready. Statistics show that 85% of crimes that occur at a shopping area happen in the parking lot. Having your keys in hand limits your time in the lot. Follow your instincts. If you are uncomfortable about walking to your car, ask security for an escort. That’s what they are there for.

8. Try to avoid using mall and store restrooms. Many are victims of theft who set their packages down on the floor of the stall. Snatching bags from the adjacent stall is quick and easy. It’s not so easy to chase your stolen bags from that sitting position. Same rule applies to dressing rooms as well.

9. After making your purchase, never keep the receipt in the bag. If your purchase is lost or stolen, so is your proof of buying that item along with your credit card information in some cases.

10. Most credit card data capture devices are now set up so that they do not print your card number on the receipt. Some merchants, however, still use older machines that print out the entire card number. Notorious for this are many restaurants, especially Chinese eateries. If the “Merchant Copy” has your credit card number printed on it, never leave it unattended at the table when you leave.

11. Last but not least, you should always investigate the store’s return and gift card policies. Some places charge a hefty restocking fee on items returned. Also, that $50 gift card may only be worth $35 six months from now. Although these things may not be crimes, if you get stung, they sure will feel like it!

Have a happy and crime-free holiday!

The Pros and Cons of Carrying Firearms, Stun Guns and Defense Sprays

I am often asked what people should carry to defend themselves. The options run the gambit from pepper spray to firearms, so here is how I break it down.

1. Firearms: Unless you have extensive weapons training, I never advise carrying a gun. Let me be clear: I am not anti-gun, I just think they do not belong in the hands of those who don’t understand the responsibility that comes with them. If you carry a gun, be prepared to use it. Any hesitation due to a second thought, lack of proper training, etc. can and usually will result in an unintended victim getting hurt. Not to mention the liability that the firearm itself brings to an environment where there are children.

2. Stun Guns: Stun guns are fairly small, hand held devices that produce a current of electricity in the range of 20,000 to 150,000 volts. Considering that the normal household appliance voltage is about 120, these can be a powerful and dangerous thing to carry with you. These units will, for the most part, knock down most approaching attackers if all conditions are right. For example: If the assailant is wearing heavy clothing, the affect may be greatly diminished. Another thing to consider is the fact that these units are “contact” weapons. You must be close enough to physically touch the intended target. Consider someone coming at you with intent to do you harm, how close do you want to get?

3. Sprays: There are three basic types of chemical self-defense sprays:

CN – Now somewhat outdated, it was used by the military and police departments in the 1960’s and 1970’s. More a vapor than a gas, these “tear gasses” or MACE have proven to be ineffective at times especially on those under the influence of narcotics and alcohol. Mainly because of their broad availability at one time, these products are on the market.

CS – An irritant that affects the mucus membranes in the nose and throat, it is slightly more effective that CN gas, but like CN, can cause severe problems to anyone in the area due to its toxicity. Both are also ineffective against dogs and many wild animals due to their lack of lacrimal or tear producing glands.

OC – Commonly known as pepper spray, OC, or oleoresin capsicum, is the choice chemical agent of law enforcement and defense experts alike. A strong irritant, OC is effective against both humans and animals because it affects the skin, eyes and breathing passages. It is fast acting and doesn’t require a “direct hit” on its target for a result. The cost is fairly low compared to many other gasses, about $10 for a small keychain sized unit and has virtually no lasting consequences.

As for my recommendation, I suggest the OC or pepper spray. It is easy to use, cost effective and a great deterrent to both human as well as dog attackers. It fits easily in a purse, briefcase or glove compartment and it requires no permit. Perhaps the best sell of all is the fact that if a child gets a hold of it, it will produce no more than an irritating burn. Not a chemical or electric burn as CN gas or a stun gun, but one that’s been compared to rubbing your eyes after cutting a hot pepper or tamale.

No matter what you choose for self defense, remember its purpose: SELF PROTECTION. A citizen has the right to use any force necessary to protect or defend themselves BUT they also have an obligation to flee to safety if possible and not confront danger. That is a job for the police.

Halloween Can Be Spooky Without Safety Being Scary

Halloween is a time of costumed witches and ghouls collecting candy and treats. Whether your trick-or-treaters are stalking the neighborhood or attending a community party, there are a few things to remember to help your kids stay safe and secure. We’ve heard many of these before as these tips are timeless but once again, child safety never gets old.

What Parents Should Know:

1.) When picking a costume for your child or making one at home, ensure that it fits properly. Pants, dresses and capes that are too big present a tripping hazard.
2.) If the costumes are dark in color, consider placing a reflective tape and a flashing light on the sides or back so your child can be seen in the dark and reflect in a vehicle’s headlights. Those bend-to-activate, disposable light sticks work great.
3.) If a costume comes with a mask, make sure that your child can see clearly through the eye holes and that they have good peripheral vision as well.
4.) If your child is carrying a prop such as a knife, scythe, etc., make sure that those items are soft or flexible enough that if fallen on, will not cause any injury. Metal or home-made wooden props are usually a bad idea.
5.) Plan the trick-or-treat route with your child and make sure that they stick to it.
6.) Provide your child with a flashlight containing a new set of batteries.
7.) Small children should never be permitted to go out alone.
8.) When accompanying children, have a cell phone to use in the event of an emergency or problem.
9.) Consider giving your kids a filling pre-trick-or-treat meal. This may keep them filled enough with the good stuff so they’re not tempted to snack on the goodies along the way.

What Kids Should Know:

1.) Never eat any of the candy until an adult is able to inspect the treats.
2.) Whenever possible, stay in a group and avoid going trick-or-treating alone.
3.) If alone, never go into any houses, buildings or cars for a treat.
4.) Avoid short cuts through dimly lit areas such as the woods and alleys. Stay in well-lit areas only.
5.) Always remember the rules about strangers and getting into cars without parental permission. DON'T DO IT!
6.) Only trick-or-treat at the houses that have a porch light on.

What the Homeowner Should Know:

1.) When handing out treats, have them at the front door or on the porch. Don’t expect kids to enter your home.
2.) Have the porch and sidewalk area well lit and clear of obstacles, defective stairs or bunched up carpeting. Little ghosts trip easily.
3.) Avoid having porch candles or candle lit sidewalk luminaries. Costumes and clothing can be flammable.
4.) If you have pets, especially dogs, make sure that they are contained in an area away from the trick-or-treaters. You may think that your dog doesn’t bite but the Spiderman and the witch at the door may be frightened.

Lastly, keep your own pets in mind. Whether you’re going door-to-door for treats or you’re handing out the goodies at your house, remember that chocolate is poison to cats and dogs and may even be deadly to them in any quantity. Happy Halloween!

End of Summer Doesn’t Mean the End of Watching Over Our Children

With the back-to-school season in full swing, our attention is easily diverted away from summer fun activities and turned more toward class schedules and soccer practices. Whatever our priorities, be it work, play or school, personal safety should always be at the top of the list.

We would all agree that protecting the children of our community is paramount. So, as our kids go back to school, here are a few suggestions that may help accomplish this seemingly never-ending task:

1.) When sending the kids off in the morning, take a moment out of the A.M. chaos to really notice what your children are wearing. Over 50% of missing child or runaway reports taken by police do not have an accurate clothing description because parents just didn’t pay attention.

2.) Keep an up-to-date identification kit of your children. The kit should include a recent photograph (digital is best), a full description including height, weight, hair and eye color, blood type, identifying marks, eye glasses and allergies.

3.) Know all of your children’s friends, including names and contact numbers of their parents and their addresses.

4.) Since your children should be aware of “Stranger Danger” and should know to never go with someone other than family or designated friends, consider having a code word or phrase set up between you and your child. This would be used in the event that you need to send someone unknown to your child to meet or pick them up. Continually reinforcing “Stranger Danger” every school year, like safety, never gets old.

5.) Let’s be clear about “Stranger Danger.” It refers to getting too close to or getting into a car and going with someone they don’t know. Children, like adults, need to communicate and talk to people they don’t know in order to develop that sense of easiness of suspicion. When we keep them shielded away from everyone, they are unable to develop that intuition that we all have. As parents, we usually break that “don’t talk to strangers” rule anyway, i.e. When the teller at the bank, a total stranger, gives your child a lollipop, our response is usually something like, “Well, what do you say to the nice lady?”

6.) Special order backpacks and book bags with your child’s name prominently displayed are cute, but they are a really bad idea. It tells the world, including bad guys, who your kids are. When a creepy guy approaches an eight year old girl and calls her by name, he’s suddenly not that creepy anymore.

7.) Don’t assume that your child has learned everything about personal safety from their school. These days, all schools review the basics of safety when travelling to or from school, but it is never a bad idea to reinforce these lessons. It is also never too early to start teaching your children about protecting themselves.

8.) Lastly, we teach our children to not get into a car with stranger, never answer the door to someone they don’t know, and never use drugs or alcohol. These are valuable lessons we teach our kids, but we all too often overlook another important statistic: According the Department of Justice, over 1,000 children are injured or killed every year by accidental shootings in the home. Many kids know where their parents keep their guns and are often very eager to show them off to visiting friends. Teach your children that if they visit a friend who wants to show them their dad’s gun, leave that house immediately. No conversation, no negotiation -- just get out and tell an adult. Their life may depend on it.

A great parental resource for keeping your children safe is The National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (www.missingkids.com). There you can find information about child ID kits and Stranger Danger. Another resource is a book that I highly recommend to all parents, “Protecting the Gift: Keeping Children and Teenagers Safe and Parents Sane.” It is written by Gavin DeBecker, an expert in personal safety and security.

Home Security Revisited

In the wake of a few recent local news stories of home burglaries and business break-ins, I felt that it was important to revisit some basic security measures to protect your family and your property. It’s a widely accepted fact within the crime prevention community that among a burglar’s least favorite things are light and the sound of an alarm (a big dog or the sound of a shotgun are at the top of the list as well).

Night break-ins consistently occur when a home or building can be breached under the cover of darkness. Because of this fact, one of the best weapons in home security is the outside spotlight. One variations of this deterrent includes a dawn-to-dusk light which includes a built-in light sensor. When there is little or no light, the sensor activates the light and turns it off again at daybreak. The other (and perhaps the most popular) outside light is the motion sensing light. Properly mounted with a clear view of the area you want to illuminate, any movement within that area turns the light on for a set amount of time. With this light, the sensor may be adjusted to be activated only when a large body of movement is detected so that neighborhood animals do not set it off. The light may also be set to stay on from one to several minutes after activated. Both of these light units range in cost from about $25 to $60 dollars. Remember to use high capacity or long-life bulbs and, most importantly, mount them high enough that they are out of reach of the bad guys.

During day time break-ins, bad guys usually knock at the front door. If answered, they ask the resident for directions or some other senseless questions before going on their way. If no one answers, they break in, usually through a window or the glass on or beside the front door. The best deterrent for this is to cut back all vegetation from your doors and windows. Landscape trees and plants may be great aesthetics but they also serve as good cover, obscuring the bad guy’s actions from the street and neighbors.

Another option for security, short of an installed alarm system, is an audible alarm that is activated when a door or window is breached. These systems may be installed without a complete home-monitoring system that, when activated, calls the police. When asked for my opinion regarding an alarm system that doesn’t require a lot of high-tech wiring or a monthly monitoring fee, I always recommend the four legged kind. In my experience as a police officer, I have never investigated a break-in or theft where there was a dog on patrol. Home security systems are great, but the keypad inside your front door can’t bring you your slippers or show you that it’s happy you are home.

If you are thinking about the installation of a home security system, I recommend visiting http://www.securitysystems.net/. There you can learn about the products that are available, pricing and how to find the best security system for you and your family.

As a fifteen-year police veteran and crime prevention practitioner, Daniel has instructed police officers on how to teach crime prevention in their communities. The fundamental ideals of crime prevention are simple: Pay attention to your surroundings, use common sense, listen to your inner voice and trust your instincts. Intuition exists to protect us and help keep us safe.

For questions or comments email Daniel at bcrimefree@aol.com or for past articles and tips visit his blog at bcrimefree.blogspot.com.

Protecting Children On-Line

From the time that kids can walk and talk, parents embark on the seemingly endless yet necessary mission to keep them safe. Children are bombarded with advice and instruction to ensure their safety and good health. These instructions include looking both ways before crossing the street, staying out of the puddles on those rainy days, and of course the most popular: “Don’t talk to strangers.” Unfortunately, the FBI reports that one in five children who are online receive a sexual solicitation each year because, while in a chat room, children don’t know for sure whom they are talking with.

One recent report cited that nine out of ten children between the ages of eight and sixteen have viewed pornographic images on the Internet. In many of these cases, the sex sites were accessed unintentionally when a child, often in the process of doing research for school, keyed what they thought were innocent words that led them to a very unhealthy world. For example: if doing research on our president and the government, whitehouse.gov is the correct web address, while whitehouse.com is an entirely different location for adults only. I know a police officer who was online with his very young daughter who was looking for information on her favorite Disney movie. He never imaged that keying Beauty and the Beast would take him--and his very attentive little girl--to a very bizarre place.

It is truly difficult to avoid these addresses. A new web site appears every 17 seconds, with more than 4,000 new sites being registered every day. Today, at least 100 of those new sites will be selling or displaying pornography. Unfortunately, this wave of entrepreneurship brings with it a whole breed of predators and outright creeps.

Right now, somewhere in America, a thirteen-year-old girl has joined a chat room through a popular social site. It seems harmless enough as the room is titled something like “Girls 13 to 15 Rule.” She can see many of the participants chat about school, classes, the latest movies, etc. She hits it off with a girl who shares similar interests, and after a while she will be invited to enter into a private chat where no one else can view the conversation. What isn’t readily known is that not all are girls 13 to 19. There are 30, 40 and 50 year old men who use these chat rooms to seek out their quarry. They gain the trust of these unsuspecting victims by posing as young girls and boys. The predators will tell children what they need and want to hear. They are masters of manipulation knowing just what button to push in these kids.

With all of the bad guys out there, there are few things that you can do to protect your children online:

Limit internet access to only one room of your home where activity can be monitored. In most cases of online child luring, the parents did not know that their child was conversing with others.
If kids are connected to a social network, know who their online friends are.
Limit the time that children are online.
Become familiar with and look out for on-screen internet slang that your child is typing, such as POS which actually means Parent Over Shoulder, or PIR meaning Parent In Room. To learn most of these codes, just look up “Internet Slang.”
Watch for out of town packages or gifts sent to your child. These are often tools such as digital cameras used by predators to gain photos, etc.

Being aware can save your family and your children!