APARTMENT SECURITY

• If you live in an apartment or condominium, follow the same rules about "Home Doors & Locks", but add these to your checklist:
• Keep outer main doors locked. do not press the buzzer to release the door unless you are certain who is requesting entrance.
• Look through the peephole before opening the door.
• Cooperate with other tenants in notifying building superintendent of suspicious looking strangers, sounds or actions in hallways.
• Place supplemental locks on windows or doors that open onto fire escapes, terraces and balconies. BACK TO TOP

AUTOMOBILE SECURITY

• A car is stolen every 32 seconds in this country. Two-thirds of the thefts occur at night, and over half are in residential neighborhoods. You can make it tougher for a would-be thief by taking some precautions that everyone knows, but may ignore.
• Make it a habit to lock your car and pocket the key. Never leave the key in the ignition.
• Put your car in the garage at night and lock your garage.
• Write down your license plate number and check your plates now and then. Never leave the title or registration in the car.
• Consider commercial anti-theft devices, which are priced from $20, particularly if you leave your car unattended all day. Police will help you evaluate the different possibilities and tell you where they may be purchased. Some recommended devices include:
• Kill switch (car won't start unless hidden switch is activated).
• Alarm system (loud warning sounds an alert if car if tampered with or jostled).
• Crook lock (bar locks steering wheel to brake pedal).
• If your vehicle is stolen despite the precautionary measures you have taken, contact the police immediately. Be able to provide them with an adequate description (make, model, color) along with the license plate number, VIN number, and any other distinguishing characteristics.BACK TO TOP

BICYCLE SECURITY

• Make it a habit to lock bikes in the garage and then lock the garage. Use case-hardened locks and chains because cable chains can be cut.
• Engrave name in a prominent place on the bike, using electric marking pen. Protect against rust by putting white paint in the engraving.
• Take a color photograph of your bicycle, write the serial number on it, and keep the picture in a safe place.
• If an approaching stranger appears menacing as you are riding your bike, change your direction, go back the way you came, seek help at a nearby house and call Police immediately.
• Register your bicycle at the New Philadelphia Police Station.BACK TO TOP

GENERAL GUIDELINES AND SUGGESTIONS

• Check references of meter readers, service men, and anyone working in your home. Know the name and address of anyone who must have access to your home when you are not present.
• Store valuables (coins, jewelry, furs, etc) in a vault or safety deposit box. Keep serial numbers of valuable equipment; take photographs or paintings and other articles.
• Don't rely on dogs to guard your home.
• Be alert to attempted fraud and inform police if you are approached in any of the following ways:
• The "pigeon drop." Where two people, sometimes three, ask you to keep a package of money or
• other valuable items for a period of time. They ask you to show good faith by giving them some of your money. After they leave, you will discover the package contains only newspaper.
• The bank examiner. Where you receive a phone call from someone purporting to be a bank representative and are asked to withdraw money as a ruse to trap a dishonest employee. When you comply, your money disappears.
• The charity racket. Where a solicitor for charity, with no literature to give you, asks for a donation immediately or for a check to be mailed to him as soon as possible.BACK TO TOP

HOME DOORS & LOCKS

• Keep your doors locked at all times, even when you are at home, and remember to close and lock your windows when you leave...even if it's just to walk the dog.
• Install new locks or have the tumblers reset when you move into a previously occupied building.
• Install auxiliary dead bolt locks with 1" throw on all exterior doors and USE them. A second lock is often the easiest and sometimes the cheapest way of strengthening the security of an entrance door.
• Keep the number of keys to a minimum by having all the locks keyed the same.
• Doors with glass panes should be fitted with double-cylinder locks, requiring keys both inside and out. Keep a key near the door in a location known by all occupants so they can exit in case of fire or other emergency.
• Sliding glass doors should lock from the inside. A strip of wood placed in the inside bottom track will present its opening. Commercial "locking bars" or patio door locks are also available.
• Secure all entrances... including garage doors, basement doors and windows, sun deck and porch doors...day and night. Don't hide keys outside.
• Keep your keys to yourself. Don't entrust them to tradesmen, maids, repairmen, etc. Separate house keys from car keys when leaving your car with parking lot attendants.
• If someone forces open your door, leave immediately by a different door and go to a neighbor's house to call police.
• Don't open your door to strangers. When someone is outside your door and you don't know who it is, keep the door shut, even if you have a security chain. Talk to the caller through the door or a nearby window. you may wish to install a peephole or, even better, a door-mounted viewing lens.
• When working in the yard, garage, basement or upstairs, keep you doors locked.BACK TO TOP

HOME WINDOW SECURITY

• Install key-type locks on your windows, preferably with dead-bolts. Some can be locked in an open position or drill a hole into wooden sash frames with the windows in a closed position, and insert a nail.
• Consider shatter-proof laminated glass or plastic as a replacement for decorative windows adjacent to entrance doors which, if broken, make it easy to reach in and unlock the door. Glass doors can be similarly protected.
• Don't overlook basement windows. If you never open them, mail them shut or replacement with the non-opening type or with glass block. Remove the handles from basement windows.BACK TO TOP

HOME YARD SECURITY

• Turn on outdoor lights at night to illuminate hiding places hear your home. Consider installing a photo-electric sensor-type light switch.
• Trim shrubbery near doors, windows and porches, particularly along sides and in rear.
• Bring ladders inside, or firmly anchor them to a garage wall. Put tools, toys, and outdoor furniture away, and chain bicycles, lawnmowers and snow blowers to a wall. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
• Close garage doors! Empty garages advertise that the hoe is unoccupied, and, if attached, allow easy entrance to the house. Electronic door openers provide additional security.
• House numbers should be visible from the street so police can respond quickly in an emergency.BACK TO TOP

NEIGHBORHOOD SECURITY

• Participate in your neighborhood Block Watch program. Learn who lives across the street, next door, and behind you, so that you can identify irregular activity.
• Be alert for unusual activities on your street or around neighboring households. Report to police any strangers loitering in the neighborhood or asking questions about your neighbors or their whereabouts.
• Note the license numbers of questionable automobiles and trucks.
• Report broken street lights to your electric power company.
• Call police if you receive many wrong-number telephone calls or calls from unknown persons seeking information.
• Don't be reluctant or embarrassed to call the police. You may remain anonymous if you wish. Even if your call turns out to be unnecessary, the Police Department won't mind; they appreciate an alert attitude. And, of course, keep Police and Fire Department phone numbers handy at all times.BACK TO TOP

PERSONAL PROPERTY IDENTIFICATION

• Residents of communities across the nation are participating in a simple, but effective method for permanently identifying valuables so they are less attractive targets for theft and more easily identified if they are stolen. Citizens are urged to etch their social security number on articles of value. In the event of theft, the numbers can be quickly circulated nationwide by means of a computer network. Operation Identification decals placed at the entrances of your home discourage thieves.
• If you enter your home and discover a burglary, DON'T TOUCH ANYTHING. Call Police immediately.
• Give the police any information you have, such as a description of person(s) involved, items missing, etc. If strange cars have been in the neighborhood, give description or license number.
• Do not attempt to be a hero or make an arrest.
• If you find signs of forcible entry when you return home, DON'T ENTER. Go to the nearest Telephone and call Police immediately.BACK TO TOP

PERSONAL SECURITY

• Be wary of loiterers when you walk.
• Protect your purse or wallet, but don't fight to save them.
• Select a purse with a zipper or tightly closing latch, then turn the flap toward your body when you carry it.
• Don't put your purse in shopping carts.
• Carry the smallest amount of money possible and don't carry valuables.
• Don't carry a wallet in a coat pocket, and don't carry a purse unless necessary.
• If you are robbed, try to report it to the police immediately, using the nearest phone.BACK TO TOP

PREVENTING RAPE

• Never reveal to someone at the door or a phone caller that you are alone.
• Don't open your door to strangers or allow a stranger to use your phone.
• Ask for identification from all repair and utility representatives. Once they are in your home, never let them out of your sight.
• List only your first initial and last name on the mailbox and in the telephone directory if you live along.
• Avoid walking alone on the street. After dark, avoid poorly lighted areas and walk on the side of the street facing traffic.
• Be alert on public transportation. When leaving, take a quick look around to see who else is getting off with you. If someone is following, walk quickly to the nearest well-lighted area.
• If attached, your best defense is noise - use a whistle, or scream long and loud. People will react to a scream of FIRE more readily than for HELP .
• Keep a level head and don't panic. Most women escape possible rape by talking their way out of it. Few escape by fighting.
• Try unexpected tactics: Distract him; tell him you have VD; sing "The Star Spangled Banner" at the top of your lungs.
• Use fighting only as a last resort, unless you are expertly trained.BACK TO TOP

VACATION TIPS

• Tell Police and neighbors about your departure and anticipated return. Let them know when you get back.
• Stop deliveries of mail, newspapers, milk.
• Arrange for lawn care or snow removal.
• Bring everything inside. Lawn furniture, toys, tools, and bicycles should be stored indoors.
• Call the police department and officers will check your home.
• Remove valuable articles from places where they can be easily seen through windows.
• Prepare an itinerary with phone numbers and give it to a neighbor.
• Ask your neighbor to look in to see that nothing has been disturbed while you are away.
• Don't pull shades down or close draperies unless you normally follow that practice. Ask your neighbor to alter window appearance from time to time.
• Use timers to light your home at night, inside and out, and ask your neighbor to change lighting arrangements in rooms.
• If a burglary is discovered while you are away, ask your neighbor to call the police immediately, then get in touch with you.
• Request an inspection of your premises well in advance of your departure. The Police Department will suggest security improvements.BACK TO TOP