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No one expects to be assaulted. But in reality crimes
exist every day. Protect yourself before you become a statistic.
The statistics are alarming!
There were 94,635 reported rapes in 2004. The highest percentage
of rape is in the Northeast. July is when the greatest number of rapes
occur.
There were 401,326 robberies in 2004. The highest percentage of
robberies (38%) were in the South. 42% of the robberies occurred on the
streets, 14% occurred in homes.
There were 854,911 incidents of aggravated assault in 2004.
Firearms were used for 19.3% of the assaults, knives or cutting
instruments 18.6%, other weapons (clubs, blunt objects, etc.) 35.6% and
personal weapons (hands, fists, feet, etc.) accounted for 26.6% of the
assaults.
There are around 38,000 car jackings each year. 74% of the victims faced
a weapon. About 63% of carjacking incidents occurred within 5 miles of
the victim's home, including 17% that occurred at or near the home;
sometimes in their own driveway. Only 4% occurred more than 50 miles
from the victim's home. Safety at Your
Front Door
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Never
automatically open your front door. Make sure you know your
caller's identity before admitting him.
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If the person
at your door is a stranger, ask for identification to be passed
under the door. If he is unable to do this, do not admit him.
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It is advisable
to have a wide angle viewer (peep-hole) in the door so that you
can check a person's identity without unlocking your door.
Home Safety
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All doors in
your home leading to the outside should have dead-bolt locks.
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When away at
night, leave a light burning.
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Do not leave a
key over a door or under a mat.
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The single lock
on a garage door is inadequate to keep intruders from prying up
the opposite side and crawling in. Use a padlock. But never
leave it unlocked. This is an invitation to have the padlock
removed so that a key can be made, and the lock returned to its
position. Later, the burglar returns when no one is home and
enters at his leisure, using "his" key.
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Mark your
valuables and keep an accurate record of all your most valuable
possessions.
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When leaving on
a trip:
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Stop all
deliveries.
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Connect a
light to a timer.
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Notify the
police and have a neighbor check your home periodically.
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Have
someone maintain your lawn.
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Be a concerned
neighbor. If you see a suspicious person, car or situation,
contact the police.
Safety for the
Apartment Dweller
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If you live in
an apartment building with an intercom system to the front door,
make sure the landlord keeps it in operating order.
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Never admit
anyone unless you are expecting him or know him.
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Never admit
anyone to the building who is there to see another tenant or to
deliver something to another apartment.
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Anyone asking
admission so that he can do some work for another tenant should
not be admitted, but should be referred to the building's
manager.
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If you see
someone in your building who looks out of place or is acting
suspiciously, contact the police.
Protect Yourself
On City Streets
Street crime is on
the increase in most large U.S. cities. It is also becoming more
prevalent in small communities. The following list of "safeguards"
will help protect you and may even save your life!
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When leaving
home, make sure that all doors and windows are locked including the garage door.
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Watch for
loiterers and do not carry large sums of money.
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If possible,
travel with another person. This is especially true after dark.
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When carrying a
purse, women should have only 3 or 4 one dollar bills placed
inside. Credit cards, currency, driver's license, keys and
jewelry should be carried in a coat or sweater pocket or
concealed on your person to reduce the opportunity of large
losses. If you do carry a purse, don't wrap the strap around
your shoulder, neck or wrist. If your purse is grabbed, a strong
strap will not yield easily and you may be injured. Some purse
snatch victims have been thrown off balance & received
concussions, broken hips, arms or legs. Don't carry anything
more valuable than you can afford to lose. Always leave all
unnecessary credit cards at home. When you shop and carry a
purse, put it in your shopping bag.
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At night,
travel only well-lighted and welltraveled streets.
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Never hitchhike
or accept rides from strangers.
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Walk on the
side of the street nearest to oncoming traffic. If accosted by
someone in a car, run in the direction opposite the way the car
is headed.
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Beware of
people who approach asking directions; keep a polite but safe
distance.
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A good
suggestions for men is to carry a second wallet containing a few
$1.00 bills and old expired credit cards, which are normally
destroyed or discarded. If confronted at knife or gunpoint, give
the suspect the second wallet and concentrate on a good physical
description to help the police in making the arrest.
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Upon returning
home, particularly after dark, do not linger at the entrance of
your residence. Make a quick check for mail or newspapers, and
enter immediately. If you feel something is strange, don't enter
but go elsewhere and call for police assistance.
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If you feel
someone is following you, go to the nearest occupied residence
or building, and ask for assistance. If you are confronted with
a dangerous situation, cry out for assistance. Yelling "FIRE!
FIRE!" instead of "Help!" will generally bring faster attention.
Safeguard Against
Rape
If you are a
female, chances are 1 in 10 that you will be a victim of sexual
assault. The attacker makes no distinction between age, race,
appearance or any other characteristics.
Common sense is
your best defense against attack. Because every rape is different,
there's no one solution for thwarting an attack.
If you are
attacked, evaluate the situation and look for ways to escape. Some
women have avoided rape by talking their way out of it, acting crazy
or fighting back. A kick in the groin isn't usually successful
because men instinctively protect this area, and you may lose your
balance. If you decide to respond physically, remember that your
first priority is to get away. Act quickly and decisively to throw
the attacker off guard while you escape.
After an attack:
A. Go to a safe
place
B. Call the
police.
C. Preserve
evidence don't shower or douche; blood and semen are important
evidence. And don't change your clothes or disturb the scene of
the crime.
D. Get medical
care.
Medical attention
is vital! Many hospitals provide free care for rape victims and
offer pregnancy prevention and venereal disease treatment. Remember,
even if you do get treatment immediately, follow-up tests for V.D.
are essential.
Never be
embarrassed because of the incident. Though difficult to talk about,
it is important to tell doctors what sex acts took place so they
will know what medical attention is needed.
Try to remember in
detail your exact experience, for police records. Give as accurate
and complete description of your assailant as possible. This is
extremely important! Your complete co-operation with local
authorities may help in preventing similar attacks on other girls
and women.
Protect Your Home
While Away
Be sure to lock
before you leave, and let a neighbor have a key. When leaving your
home, practice the following advice it could pay big, big
dividends.
Going to the
Market or Out to Dinner? A residence which presents a "lived-in"
appearance is a deterrent to burglars. Never leave notes that can
inform a burglar that your house is unoccupied. Make certain all
windows and doors are secured before departing. An empty garage
advertises your absence, so close the doors.
When going out at
night, leave one or more interior lights on and perhaps have a radio
playing (TV sets should not be left unattended). Timers may be
purchased that will turn lights on and off during your absence.
Do not leave door
keys under flower pots or doormats, inside an unlocked mailbox, over
the doorway, or in other obvious places.
When Planning
Vacations or Prolonged Absences
Discontinue milk,
newspaper, and other deliveries by phone or in person ahead of time.
Do not leave notes.
Arrange for lawn
care and have someone remove advertising circulars and other debris
regularly. On the other hand, several toys scattered about will
create an impression of occupancy.
Notify the post
office to forward your mail or have a trustworthy person pick it up
daily. Apartment house tenants should also heed this hint since
stuffed mail receptacles are a give-away when no one is home.
Inform neighbors of
your absence so they can be extra alert for suspicious persons.
Leave a key with them so your place may be periodically inspected.
Ask them to vary the positions of your shades and blinds.
When you leave, do
not publicize your plans. Some burglars specialize in reading
newspaper accounts of other people's vacation activities.
If you find a door
or window has been forced or broken while you were away, DO NOT
ENTER. The criminal may still be inside. Use a neighbor's phone
immediately to summon police.
Do not touch
anything or clean up if a crime has occurred. Preserve the scene
until police inspect for evidence.
Always remember
to:
1. Lock before
you leave
2. Trust a
neighbor with a key
3. Be a
concerned neighbor yourself
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