Security Advice #011 - What To Do When You're A Crime Victim
911 SYSTEM
The 911 telephone system is standard nationwide to enable
callers to reach emergency services by phone with a minimum
of difficulty. If you have an emergency involving the
safety of life or property, you are encouraged to make use
of the system. In most areas, you may dial 911 from a pay
phone without the need for coins.
If your area has enhanced 911 with automatic number
identification and automatic location identification, your
name, address and telephone number will be displayed on a
screen at the 911 operator's position when the connection
is made. Help can be dispatched to your location even if
you don't get a chance to say a word!
BURGLARY
If you arrive at your home or business and feel that it has
been burglarized, DO NOT ENTER, but go to another location
and call the police. Let the police search the property to
make sure that no suspect is still present. Upon entering
your home or business, do not touch things unnecessarily as
you may disturb or destroy fingerprint and other evidence.
Inform the police of anything that has been moved from its
original position so that it can be checked for prints.
Notify the police if you find anything that is not yours
that may have been left behind by the burglar such as
tools, clothing, etc. (Driver's licenses and other
identification have been left behind by burglars before!)
Be prepared to provide the police with serial numbers and a
complete description of all missing property. Tell the
police if you have engraved any of the items with your
driver's license or other personalized number.
ROBBERY
You've heard it before and now here it is again: Never
resist if you are the victim of a robbery. Do exactly as
you are told to do in order to minimize your chances of
being injured and to speed the departure of your assailant
before he gets other ideas. The assailant, in most cases,
doesn't want to hang around much longer than you want him
to.
Your money and other valuables can hopefully be replaced.
If they can't be replaced don't let that thought cause you
to hesitate. You certainly cannot be replaced. Try to
obtain a good description of the suspect(s) and the
direction and mode (on foot, vehicle) of escape.
It's always a good idea to have a second billfold with a
few dollars and a few important looking cards in it to give
to an attacker should the need arise. Keep your real cash
and cards in an interior pocket not easily accessible by
the robber. Do not resist any attempt the attacker may make
to search your pockets, however.
CON GAMES
The object of any con game is to cause you to part with
your money or other thing of value. Most con games are
initiated by people who approach you on the street or call
on you at your home. Be suspicious of ANY plan, idea,
scheme, business deal or whatever that requires you to part
with your money on short notice.
If you feel you have been the victim of a con game or an
illegal business practice, notify the police. Do not be
embarrassed or hesitant to tell the authorities for fear of
ridicule. The sooner you notify the police the greater your
chances of recovering your property. You may not be the
only victim of whatever group is operating, and your
statements and those of other victims may help in
apprehending the suspects.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT
If you are involved in a traffic accident and the other
driver leaves the scene, immediately try to see and
remember or record the license plate number and description
of the vehicle and the driver. You may only have a few
seconds to do this. Also try to notice where the damage is
located on his vehicle. If you can SAFELY do so, and your
vehicle is not disabled, and no one can do it for you,
follow the suspect for a short distance to get the license
plate number if you were not able to get it at the scene.
The suspect will probably be exceeding the speed limit so
do not get involved in anything resembling a pursuit. Don't
compound the problem by committing traffic violations and
causing another accident for which you may be held
responsible. If you cannot get the information in a short
distance, return to the scene and notify the police. If
other motorists are nearby, try to find a volunteer to
follow the suspect to get the license number.
Ask witnesses to remain or at least to leave their name and
address and a written description of the suspect vehicle
and driver.
Be suspicious of drivers who do stop following the accident
but ask you or offer you money not to call the police. This
should alert you to immediately start recording license
plate and other information. These drivers may decide to
leave quickly.
Contact a crime prevention specialist at your local law
enforcement agency. They will provide you with the latest
information on crime prevention. Ask about an on-site crime
prevention survey of your home or business. Also ask if
your agency has a program to loan out engraving tools. If
so, borrow one and mark your valuables with your driver's
license number or whatever number your agency recommends.
=========================================================
Please visit http://www.visec.net for more security related
information.
=========================================================
|
