Don't Help Someone Target You!
 |
| McGruff: Wikimedia Fair Use |
April is “Theft and Burglary Prevention Month”. Statistically, theft and burglary are the
most common types of crime and they happen all too frequently. However, most of
these threats can be avoided with a little common sense and proactive safeguards.
Having worked for both the Los Angeles Police and the LA
Sheriff's Departments, I know that crimes against property happen all around us.
And when I say crimes against property, I mean crimes such as scams, burglaries,
thefts, including identity theft and purse, cellphone or jewelry snatchings and
robberies.
Victim-Assisted Crimes
I know, we normally tell ourselves that we can never be
victims of these crude criminal acts. But most if not all of those who have
been, had thought so themselves, until they were actually victimized. And many
of them realize after-the-fact that they were targeted due to their own
carelessness or recklessness. And so please read crime-prevention tips and save
yourselves the agony of being the next victim of crimes which can be avoided.
Crimes of Opportunity
First off, while there may be hardcore criminals out there
who could target you whatever precautions you might have taken, there are far
more petty crimes that are due to what we could call mental lapses, unfortunate
occasions or chance opportunities.
Eliminating or minimizing these would help you avoid
becoming a victim of these preventable crimes.
5 Tips to Avoid Being a Victim of a Preventable Crime
1. Lock your doors and windows. This goes for your house,
business, car, locker, bag and most anything you own. Also safeguard your keys.
Just yesterday, I saw someone driving on the road with the key still on the
keyhole and the key chain (which is full of keys) dangling from the trunk of
their car. I had to pull alongside and yell at the driver about that mindless
act.
2. Stow away valuables from casual eyes. Someone walking
past your house or parked car especially if you left a window pulled-down or a
door unlocked with your Oakley, iPhone, PSP, purse, wallet or cash in plain
sight can be a temptation too much to bear. Keep in mind that unattended small
items, even pets within your front yard are easy targets.
3. Do not leave your mail out in the open for extended
periods. As I've said, this not only creates opportunities but temptations. And
can be a potential source of identity theft, especially if your mail contains
bank and other personal and financial information or actual credit cards and
checks.
4. Do not stay or park in an isolated or (potentially) unlit
area. Think ahead especially if you are going to be returning to your car after
dark or if you are going to return by yourself. Be mindful not just of your
safe entrance but also of a secure exit.
5. When in Rome, do as the Romans do. What this means is act
as if you are well familiar with your surroundings. Act and dress as everyone
else does. Doing so, wouldn't let you be singled out as a potential victim.
On a final note carry mace, a whistle or a flashlight at
night. Or keep handy other self-defense devices or learn self-protection
tactics.
Here's a few more tips. Try not to be too trusting of
sweet-talking strangers or leave your purse or wallet on shopping carts, on top
of your vehicle, at public rest-room or store counter-tops. Don't leave your
tablet or smartphone on an unattended coffee-shop table. Remember times are
hard, some people might be desperate enough to swipe those even if they didn't
mean to. And please passcode protect your gadgets, learn how to track them before
you lose them and safeguard all your passwords and personal data.
Stay safe.
In Other Related News:
April is also National Child Abuse Prevention Month
December is National Identity Theft Prevention and Awareness
Month
No comments:
Post a Comment