How to avoid becoming a crime target
When the topic turns to being a crime victim, we all tend to think it won’t happen to us. And if it does, we tell ourselves that we know a thing or two about “handling ourselves.”
But with a little preparation and “handling” things beforehand, we can stop a victim scenario from playing out. Consider these checklists.
Handling valuables
Keep valuables and boxes or bags that may be perceived as containing valuables out of view in your car and from the front windows of your home.
Have regular income, such as payroll checks and monthly pension or Social Security payments, sent to the bank for direct deposit. When visiting the bank, vary the time and day of the week.
Carry your wallet, cash or credit cards in an inside jacket pocket instead of a back pocket. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash.
Handling your car
Always lock all car doors immediately upon entering the vehicle. As the driver, if you are seated and waiting for passengers to enter, lock the driver’s door.
When fueling your car, manually unlock your driver side door to keep the other doors locked. Many cars unlock all doors when you exit the vehicle, leaving purse, packages and other valuables ripe for the picking by criminals ready to sneak into an unlocked passenger side door.
Choose a parking spot that will be well lit when you return. Move tempting items from the passenger compartment to the trunk. When returning to your car, watch for anyone hiding behind nearby cars. Look at the back seat and floor before entering your vehicle.
Handling your home
When entering your home, always lock the door behind you. Thousands of crimes could have been prevented had this simple rule been followed.
Consider investing in home security. Look to your insurance company’s minimum security requirements. Some companies make suggestions to clients based on losses in their area. The best outfitted home will make the neighbors’ home seem more attractive to an opportunistic criminal.
Keep dangerous objects that an intruder might use against you, such as firearms, out of sight and locked away. Look through the peephole or a window before opening your door. Ask strangers for identification before you open the door.
Get to know your neighbors and join a Neighborhood Watch program. When going out, lock all entry points. Leave outside lights on or set timers. Leave a radio or television on and a few room lights.
Handling your phone
Never share personal information with a person you did not call. It can start with your identity. If a caller asks, “To whom am I speaking,” the secure response is to ask whom they are trying to reach.
Games and apps are fun when commuting on a bus or train. But when you are completely focused on a phone, you are not aware of your environment. Also, the device is just resting in your hands, waiting for someone to snatch it and run off the train just before the doors close.
Staring into a phone while walking down the street is just as bad. Assuming you don’t trip over anything, a person walking past you from the opposite direction can snatch your phone and be 10 feet away at a full run before you can figure out what happened.
Thank you for the timely tips. Every one of us needs to be alert and aware every minute we are out of our homes! Being alert in our homes also necessary.
Good stuff basically but 1) my car is one that locks or unlocks all by the switch no manual locks! Except when using key remote from outside car – then unlocks driver door only.
2) put valuables in trunk before you get to a parking spot and/or before you go to an additional shopping location. You don’t want potential offenders to see you putting stuff in your trunk then LEAVING your car!
3) security cameras can invite hackers to a free look into your home (or BIG BROTHER)
4) Keep guns locked up??? Might as well add – unloaded! What GOOD will a gun do you if you have to unlock a secure box first and then load it???? I’m quite sure that an intruder isn’t going to wait for you to get prepared.
5) Regarding phone calls – I have numbers on my phone for those who may need to confirm my identity prior to talking about personal information such as doctors, banks, etc. and tell them to call on official numbers so I can recognize them when they call or I won’t give them any confirming info. That or i will call them back on the number I have for their organization.
Most people walk arou d in a daze, with their
Cell phone or video game going they live in
La la land. They are in the green zone, red,
Orange , yellow and green, (oblivious to their
Surroundings). Stay alert and in the yellow
Zone at a minimum. They are sheep, they
Depend on others to protect them from the
Wolves, that falls to the rest of us,the sheep
Dogs for their safety. That is Exactly why I
Carry a pistol 24 7, legally, I stay In the
Yellow zone constantly, this does take a
Conscious effort on my part. But I am
Responsible for my own safety.
Excellent common sense ideas to avoid bein a crime target. Enjoyed the tips.
Although many of us know this, it is always good to be reminded of safety and alternative moves we may have forgotten. Thank you.
All of these are awesome recommendations.i spent about 25 of my 34 years in civilian service in branches of law enforcement. I’ve been retired for eleven years and I still do the same security actions I didyears ago. Now it’s like breathing, to the point that I have locked myself out of my house and my vehicle. But I still would not change my security methods. I taught female security classes years ago, and those simple steps still apply. Hopefully your readers either already do your recommendations or at least incorporate them into their daily lives.
As an independent elderly woman, I go when and where I want. Unless I am accompanied I never carry a purse. I wear clothing with secure pockets, usually jeans with deep front pockets. All I need is a driver’s license, health insurance card, credit card and cash. I leave my cell phone out of sight in my car. If I want my phone with me I will usually wear a vest with a pocket for my phone.
Good information for those who are new to the reality of the dangers in America. We have been training for decades with local gun ranges, the NRA and USCCA and others. I am a range officer with training in defense inside and outside the home.
Great advice and be sure your wife and children are involved with car and home security!
No time for confusion!
I have received all things from you Frank and they are wonderful.
I thank the Lord for all He does and He is doing in my life. If I would need something I would give it to someone that needs it more than I. God bless you all