Crime Prevention

 

Text Box: MOTOR VEHICLE THEFT Did you know that in Florida a motor vehicle is stolen every 27 seconds? Don’t become one of our statistics, please follow these tips. 1. Park in secured, well-lighted areas. Over 50 percent of vehicle thefts happen at night. 2. Close all windows, lock all doors and take the keys with you. In Florida, 25 percent of stolen vehicles had keys in them. 3. Don’t leave your original registration or title in your car. Store the title in a safe place and carry your registration in your purse or wallet. 4. Activate any anti-theft devices you have anytime you park your vehicle. 5. Never hide a second set of keys anywhere on your car. 6. Never leave your car’s engine running – not even in your driveway. 7. Permanently mark your vehicle windows with your vehicle identification number (VIN) also known as VIN etching. 8. Park your vehicle in a garage. Lock both your car and garage. 9. Park your vehicle with wheels turned toward the curb. This makes your vehicle difficult to tow. 10. Don’t become complacent because you drive an older model car. These are often stolen for parts. HOME PROTECTION When at home it is important to: 1. Lock your doors and windows when leaving your residence. Most residential burglaries occur during the day. 2. Know who is at your door before opening it. Screen doors and chain locks provide false security. 3. Obtain identification. If they show you an ID for a service company (i.e. Cable, phone, etc.) call their employer and verify who they are and why they are at your door. Consider installing peepholes in all entryway doors. 4. Mark your property with your Driver License number, that way it can be traced ONLY to you if it is stolen. 5. Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in. 6. 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. 7. 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. 8. Keep your garage door closed and locked. 9. 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. 10. Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time. 11. Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary. 12. Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors. 13. Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security. 14. Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives. 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 9¬1¬1 immediately. IDENTITY THEFT Identity theft is becoming one of the fastest growing crime problems in the world. Theft from your mailbox is one way you can become a victim. The "tweekers" call it mailbox flipping (hitting the boxes after mail delivery) or red flag day which refers to when people put payment for bills (out going mail) in there road side mailboxes. Mailbox flipping: They are looking for checks/credit cards/cash. Any check that you receive in the mail will be altered, forged and cashed. People will not be aware that they are victims until they receive bank or credit card statements. Visa/Mastercard etc.. send courtesy checks on a regular basis. These are very popular, they are blank checks. Red flag day: Bill paying time. Checks that are written to pay mortgages, utilities etc... are stolen, washed in acid (giving them a blank signed check) that are then re-written and cashed. Again, people do not know they are victims until they start hearing from bill collectors. The boxes that are targeted are typically rural. We would advise you not to have anything of this nature delivered to these mailboxes. Get a PO box at the local post office for these types of deliveries. Identity Theft is on the rise, below are some links to websites with prevention tips, and information on what to do if you become a victim. • Identity Theft (Federal Trade Commission) • Consumer Sentinel (Federal Trade Commission) • Cyber Crimes (National Crime Prevention Council) Call the Oak Hill Police Department for crime prevention advice and for a free home or business security survey. The Crime Prevention Officer can be reached at (386) 345-3621.
 


McGruff the Crime Dog

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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