HOME SAFETY

Your home encases the many memories from your past and forms the foundation for the future. Do not let an intruder destroy your family’s past or future.

• DO NOT open your door unless you know who it is.

• If someone needs to use the phone, advise them that you will make the call for them.

• Ask for identification on all sales representatives before allowing them into your home. Confirm the persons identity by calling the business. Use a number that you locate from a phone book or information.

• Rather than hiding a spare key, leave one with a trusting neighbor.

• Females that live alone should use only their first initial with their last name on both their mailbox and with their listing in the phone book.

• NEVER allow yourself to be drawn into a conversation with an unknown caller, survey taker or census taker that requests you to reveal your name, address, marital status, or any other information that may reveal (1) that you live alone or (2) times you may or may not be at home.

• If you receive frequent "wrong number" or "obscene" telephone calls then call the police and the telephone company.

• When recording an outgoing message on your answering machine, NEVER state that you are not at home or indicate you are out of town.

• When traveling, use automatic timers on lights and have a neighbor pick up your mail on a daily basis.

SHOPPING SAFETY TIPS

Shopping, especially during the holidays, is a "window of opportunity" for the criminal element. Apply these principals to your shopping habits.

• Shop with a friend. You are less likely to be a victim if someone else is with you. If you do shop alone, request an escort to your vehicle.

• Park your vehicle in a well lit area avoiding those places that limit your visibility to and from your intended destination.

• Make sure ALL doors, hatches, windows, & the trunk are secured.

• Walk to and from your destination with purpose and stay alert to your surroundings.

• Be wary of strangers approaching who start meaningless or odd conversations with you.

• Always carry purses with the clasp or flap close to the body; carry wallets in a front or inside pocket.

• Be discreet when paying for purchases. DO NOT flash your cash.

• Carry only as many packages that one hand can hold. This way you can have your keys ready to enter your vehicle.

• DO NOT approach your vehicle if anything unusual is detected (i.e. broken window, open door, unknown person standing near).

• Look inside your vehicle before entering and make sure to lock ALL doors immediately after getting inside.

WHAT TO DO WHEN STOPPED BY THE POLICE

A traffic stop is one of the most frequent encounters between citizens and police. Usually, police officers will pull a vehicle over if they have reason to believe that some offense has occurred. You may feel anxious, irritated at the delay, or concerned about a possible citation. However, officers are also concerned about possible threats to their personal safety while performing their duties.

The following recommended procedures will ensure that the traffic stop can be completed quickly and safely. This is not provided as a legal advisory but as a courtesy to you.

• When signaled by an officer, safely pull over to a place out of traffic flow.

• Sit calmly , with your hands visible on the steering wheel.

• If you have passengers, ask them to sit quietly with their hands visible.

• Avoid sudden movements or ducking in the seat; these actions can unnecessarily alarm the officer.

• If it is dark, turn on your inside light when you pull the car over.

• For safety reasons, the officer will want to visually scan the cars interior before proceeding.

• Do not exit your car unless the officer asks you to step out. If you are asked to do so, comply in a calm manner. A sure way to put an officer at ease is to communicate what you are doing.

• If the officer asks for something, and that item is in your glove compartment, tell the officer it is in there before you reach for it.

• If you receive a citation, accepting it is not an admission of guilt, but an acknowledgment that you have received the citation.

• A courtroom is the place to air arguments or protests about the citation, not on the street with the officer.

• If you are stopped for speeding, you have the right to request a check of the radar, but you do not have the right to see the radar unit (this applies only to Georgia). This is for your safety and the safety of the officer.

What Information do the Police Need

No police department can function effectively without the concerned assistance of it's citizens. They are depending on you to call and tell them whenever you observe suspicious persons or actions.

Some people fail to call the police simply because they are not aware of what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious. Others may notice suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of seeming a "nosey neighbor" or a crank. Still others take it for granted that someone else has already called.

Call the police immediately about all suspicious activity and do it yourself. Don't worry about "bothering" them because this is what the police are for. Don't worry about being embarrassed if your suspicions prove unfounded. Think instead what could happen if you don't act.

• What happened? When? Where? Anyone injured?
• Vehicle license number and vehicle description.
• Direction of travel.
• Description of persons (including clothing). When describing suspects notice age, race, sex, height and weight. Compare your own weight and height with the suspects'. Pick out some unique characteristics (scars, noses, jewelry, etc.) That will help you identify the suspect in the future if need be.

Basically, anything that seems even slightly "out of place" or that is occurring at an unusual time of day could be criminal activity.
Some of the most obvious things to watch for and report include:

• A stranger entering your neighbor's house when it is unoccupied may be a burglar.

• A scream heard anywhere could mean robbery or assault.

• Anyone removing accessories, license plates or gasoline from a car should be reported.

• Anyone looking into a parked car may be looking for a car to steal or valuables left in the car.

• The sound of breaking glass or loud explosive noises could mean an accident, housebreaking or vandalizing.