New gifts soon to be open; smiling faces, wishes fulfilled, surprises made. And, if you are not careful an advertisement to the bad guys as to the new goodies received at your household. Yes, if you leave those computer, television and game console boxes at the curb the bad guys can see which house may have the best pay off for their effort.

   If you are ready to discard the box, break it down and then cut it up before putting it into the new recycling carts. Better yet, break them down and make a run to the City yards with the boxes. No need to advertise your goodies to the bad guys.

If you have been to Mayfair Mall this week you have seen the Christmas / Holiday decorations are up. Add that to the fact that the busiest retail day of the year, the Friday after Thanksgiving is just two short weeks away; not to mention the fact that the ladies in my family are about to embark on the annual shopping weekend this second weekend in November; well I am compelled to write about shopping safety tips.

 

Please take the time to review the tips listed below and should you think of some additional tips, add them in the comments section or give me an email.

 

Ø      Always park in a well lit area.

Ø      Remember where you parked.

Ø      Keep your car locked at all times.

Ø      Walk with authority, always making eye contact with others.

Ø      Shop in groups.

Ø      Dress casually and comfortably.

Ø      Leave the expensive or even expensive appearing jewelry at home.

Ø      Avoid carrying a purse if possible.

Ø      Take only the cash, credit cards and identification needed.

Ø      If carrying cash, credit cards and identification on your person, keep it in your front pocket.

Ø      Don’t flash large amounts of money around.

Ø      Always double check to make sure you have your credit cards back.

Ø      Never allow your credit card to leave your sight.

Ø      Always be alert to your surroundings.

Ø      Do not allow yourself to be overloaded with packages. Make several trips to your vehicle if needed.

Ø      Never leave packages or anything of value in view in your vehicle.

Ø      When returning to your vehicle, look around, inside and out of your vehicle before opening it up.

Ø      If using an ATM, use one in a busy area, have a friend with you.

 

And from the Better Business Bureau, here are some online shopping tips.

 

Ø      Shop only at Internet Merchants you know and trust. If in doubt visit www.bbb.org

Ø      Beware of emails offering cut-rate prices, if it sounds too good to be true, it most likely is.

Ø      Check the merchants refund policies before making a purchase.

Ø      Make sure the merchant is using a secure server.

Ø      Refrain from using a debit card or online check, it exposes your personal checking/savings accounts to fraud.

Ø      Always print and save any confirmation or order forms.

Ø      Frequently check your accounts online, no need to wait for a paper statement.

 

From the National Crime Prevention Council, www.ncpc.org

The news is full of stories about people who have been raped, robbed, mugged, or otherwise assaulted, and everyone cringes when they hear these reports. Who hasn’t feared becoming one of these victims? The truth, however, is that the incidence of personal violence has dropped to its lowest level in almost three decades.

Violent crime - murder, rape, robbery, aggravated assault, and simple assault - was down from a high of 52.3 incidents per 1,000 people in 1981 to just 21.1 incidents per 1,000 in 2004, according to statistics compiled by the Bureau of Justice Statistics at the U.S. Department of Justice. Aggravated assault - which involves attack with a weapon or attack without a weapon that results in serious injury - was down even more sharply, from 12.4 incidents per 1,000 people in 1977 to just 4.3 incidents per 1,000 in 2004.

Everyone - and this applies to residents of big cities, small towns, and even rural areas - needs to be careful, but these lower rates of crime are evidence that if people are vigilant and take common-sense precautions, crime can be prevented.

Tips

* Don’t walk or jog early in the morning or late at night when the streets are deserted.

* When out at night, try to have a friend walk with you.

* Carry only the money you’ll need on a particular day.

* Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.

* If you think someone is following you, switch directions or cross the street. If the person continues to follow you, move quickly toward an open store or restaurant or a lighted house. Don’t be afraid to yell for help.

* Try to park in well-lighted areas with good visibility and close to walkways, stores, and people.

* Make sure you have your key out as you approach your door.

* Always lock your car, even if it’s in your own driveway; never leave your motor running.

* Do everything you can to keep a stranger from getting into your car or to keep a stranger from forcing you into his or her car.

* If a dating partner has abused you, do not meet him or her alone. Do not let him or her in your home or car when you are alone.

* If you are a battered spouse, call the police or sheriff immediately. Assault is a crime, whether committed by a stranger or your spouse or any other family member. If you believe that you and your children are in danger, call a crisis hotline or a health center (the police can also make a referral) and leave immediately.

* If someone tries to rob you, give up your property—don’t give up your life.

* If you are robbed or assaulted, report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent someone else from becoming a victim.

When inviting installers, repair technicians, or any other services(s) into your home or apartment there are several things to consider. Although the majority of companies are honest and law abiding, an “In Home” visit can expose you to theft, burglary, or worse. Taking simple precautions and preparing for an in home visit is simple.

Whether your furnace or hot water heater needs service, you are having cable, satellite, or telephone service installed, or you are considering a home repair or improvement, there will occasions when you invite a stranger into your home or apartment.

Before considering a company, get to know your contractor:

• Use reputable companies that are established in your community.
• Use references from family, friends, and neighbors
• Research companies through the Better Business Bureau
• Use insured companies who conduct background checks on their workers
• Compile a list of companies before the need arises so you make sound decisions

Calling For Service

• When making the appointment ask the name or names of the employee(s) coming to your home
• Ask the exact time you can expect the employee(s) and if they can call just before arrival
• Get a description of the service vehicle(s)

Prepare Yourself and Your Home

• Hide easy to carry away valuables
• Do not “brag” about or “Show off” valuables or collectables
• Have a family member or friend with you during the visit if you are uneasy being alone

Upon Arrival

• Look for marked company vehicle
• Look for employee uniforms and photo identification
• Keep employee(s) under observation and limit access to unnecessary areas
• Be suspicious of employees who appear more concerned about your belongings than their job


If at anytime during a service visit you become uncomfortable, ask the worker(s) to leave.

If you feel you have been the victim of a crime, call local law enforcement immediately.

Cordless / Cell Phone Safety


Many of us use cordless and / or cell phones in our daily activities. What we don’t think about is the fact that those types of phones are actually mini radio transmitters. This means that everything you say is transmitted over the air and can possibly be intercepted by people who have receiving or listening devices. Although certain FCC rules prohibit monitoring of conversations that take place with these types of phones, anyone with some basic electronic knowledge can build such a device.

With this in mind you are asked to be very cautious about what type of information you are sharing over cordless and cell phones. Never give any information that you would consider confidential or that may relate to your personal identity. If you do need to relay this type of information over the phone please switch to a good old fashioned hard wired telephone to cut down on the chances of that information being intercepted.

Information considered confidential or related to your personal identity includes:

• Social Security Number
• Drivers License Number
• Date of Birth
• Bank Account Numbers
• Credit Card Numbers
• Banking and Credit Card Passwords or PIN’s
• Medicare / Medicaid Identification Numbers

Also, keep in mind that this information should only be shared with well known and trusted individuals. Never share it with telemarketers and be very leery of people posing as your bank or other service providers.

A hit and run accident is an accident in which one of the vehicle operators leaves the scene prior to police arrival on a reportable accident, or the exchange of names and insurance information on a non-reportable accident. In the State of Wisconsin a reportable accident is any accident where one or more of the vehicles has $1,000.00 or more estimated damage or there is personal injury. For example, a two vehicle accident where the estimated damage to one vehicle is $750.00 and the other vehicle is $900.00 without injury does not need to be reported. But given that same accident, if either one or both of the vehicles has sustained more than $1,000.00 in estimated damage, or any passenger in any vehicle is injured, then a State accident report needs to be filed. When in doubt contact the local law enforcement agency.

 

Being aware following an accident will make all the difference. If you are in an accident, but especially a hit and run accident, be sure to get as much identifying information about the other vehicle and driver as possible. Things to look for are the license plate, make, model and color of the vehicle, the type and location of any damage to the vehicle and any other identifying features such as antennas, bumper stickers, extra lighting and anything that would make the vehicle recognizable. Also, try to find anyone who may have been in the area and can provide more information to the police once they respond. If you find other witnesses and they cannot or will not remain, try to solicit their name and phone number so that police can follow up with them.

 

Be suspicious of those drivers that do stop right away but want to give you money or ask for money in an effort to leave the police out of the incident. If they want to give you money, there is an underlying reason why they don’t want the police involved. If they are trying to get money from you on the scene, that may be an initial indication that they are trying to take advantage of you or even that the accident wasn’t “Accidental” at all.

 

The thing to keep in mind following any accident is make sure you assess to see if there are any injuries. If there are injuries, take the appropriate steps which will include contacting police and fire personnel; render first aid if you are qualified. Whether there are injuries or not, keep your wits about you and use your common sense. Having a cell phone along with you while you travel is clearly an asset. And again, when in doubt as to whether an accident is reportable or not, contact local law enforcement.

I was reading over some of the postings on the Town Square bulletin board associated with WauwatosaNOW.com. I am pleased to see some of the posters sharing information about crimes taking place in their neighborhood and what can be done to prevent future crimes. Based on what I read I would like to address some issues as to what is suspicious and when it is appropriate to call the police.

 

First of all “Suspicious” is not a stranger walking up our street. But that same stranger walking back and forth, hanging around, looking up and down driveways, looking into cars or looking into homes; now that is suspicious. A vehicle that is unknown to our neighborhood that drives up our street is not suspicious. But if that same vehicle is continually driving up and down the street, or through the alley or parked in the driveway of an unoccupied house; now that is suspicious. How about the movers,  plumber or cable guy at your neighbor’s house while they are away on vacation? Suspicious? I would think so. Now of course, this small paragraph does not identify all the possible activities that can be suspicious; you will have to be the judge in most circumstances, trust your intuition.

 

If it is suspicious, it does warrant a call to the police department. That is an immediate call, do not hesitate. The sooner you call the sooner we can respond and hopefully contact the person or persons involved in the suspicious activity. As a police officer there is nothing more frustrating than receiving the call about suspicious activity 10 -20 minutes after it was observed. And worse than that is talking to the neighbors after a burglary or other such crime and finding out that a clearly suspicious person or vehicle was observed in the area, but that person did not want to bother the police.

 

I hope this post helps sort out some confusion. Alert neighbors are a great crime prevention tool. If we look out for each other our neighborhoods will continue to hold their value and charm as well as remain a safe place to live and raise a family.

 
As usual, questions or comments can be directed to me by clicking on the email link shown at the top of this blog.