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Sacramento Police Department

Monday, March 15, 2010

Safety Guides

Three factors must be present for a crime to occur: desire, ability and opportunity. You can have a significant impact on the last one, opportunity, and can significantly reduce crime by taking simple crime prevention steps.

General Personal Safety Tips

At Home
  • Join Operation Identification - most burglars will not steal marked property.
  • Use a door viewer before opening your door. Always demand identification from strangers (even repair or sales persons).
  • Always lock up your home before leaving and don't hide your house keys outdoors anywhere.
  • Have keys ready and in your hand for immediate use when you return home.
  • Use interior and exterior lighting at all times.
  • Always use Safe Internet Shopping practices.
  • Shred credit card offers and bank statements before you throw them away if you do not plan on using them.
  • Hide or destroy boxes from expensive purchases.
  • Do not answer personal questions about the house such as type of alarm, daytime occupancy, etc.
  • Do not let people inside your home (to use the bathroom, phone, etc).
  • Avoid mail theft by obtaining a locked mailbox and dropping off outgoing mail at the local post office or postal mailbox.
  • Do not give out your personal information or credit card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
  • Check out the Home Burglary Prevention Tips.
Community
  • Whether it's Halloween, July 4th, or Christmas, you'll need to know your Holiday Safety.
  • Rape is a violent crime, an invasion, a frightening experience. By being aware of some Rape Prevention Tips, a person can reduce the likelihood of becoming a rape victim.
  • Teen Dating Violence: Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship.
  • Safeguard your home and yourself while you are away with Vacation Safety.
Walking
  • Plan your route ahead of time. Never walk alone at night; walk with a friend or your dog.
  • Use well lit streets; not dark alleys or bushy areas.
  • Carry signaling devices like shriek alarms or a whistle.
  • Carry pepper spray (requires a short training course first).
  • Be alert! Look behind you occasionally.
  • Never ask for or accept a ride from a stranger.
  • Don't carry large sums of money or wear valuable jewelry.
  • Don't resist an armed robber. Hand over whatever is demanded quickly and quietly.
  • Your life and safety are worth more than any personal property.
Purse/Wallet Protection
  • If possible, don't carry a purse! Never carry anything you can't afford to lose in it.
  • Carry your purse across the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.
  • Carry your keys, wallet or other valuables in pockets in your clothes and not in your hand.
  • Carry minimum amounts of cash and credit cards. Keep a record of all of your card numbers.
  • Check out how to prevent and what to do if you are a victim of Identity Theft.
  • Be sure to also look at tips on ATM Awareness.
Driving
  • Always look inside before entering your car.
  • Lock all doors immediately after you are in the car.
  • Never pick up hitchhikers.
  • If a stranger approaches while you are in the car, keep the windows up, doors locked and engine running.
  • Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
  • Park in well lit areas at night.
  • Always lock your car when leaving it.
  • Consider installing an auto burglar alarm system.
  • Don't leave anything valuable in your car if at all possible.
  • Know your specific DMV Alcohol Impairment Levels.

Additional Safety Guides

The following categories of public safety guides contain brochures and links to outside agencies. The Sacramento Police Department works in partnership with many local, state, and federal law enforcement agencies to provide the Sacramento citizen with the most complete information possible.

Child Protection
Community Planning
Disaster Preparedness
Frauds
Internet Safety
School Safety

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