Home Safety Tips
Burglaries are not only one of the most common crimes, but they are also one of the most preventable. Burglars will not target a home if they believe someone is there. That is why burglars prey upon residences that look unoccupied. Police call these "targets of opportunity"--homes virtually signaling themselves as ripe for burglary.
Secure Yourself Against Burglars:
Secure Yourself Against Burglars:
- Keep all doors and windows closed and securely fastened. An open window or door is an invitation for burglars. Thieves are also quick to spot weak locks that may be easily forced opened. Doors should have dead bolt locks with a 1" throw and reinforced strike plate with 3" screws. All windows should have window locks.
- Secure sliding glass doors. Place a metal rod or piece of plywood in the track and install vertical bolts. These will help prevent burglars from forcing the door open or lifting it off of the track.
- Always lock the door to an attached garage. Don't rely on your automatic garage door opener for security.
- Keep the perimeter of your home well lighted. Installing low voltage outdoor lighting is a cost-effective way to discourage intruders, as well as highlight a house.
- Never leave clues that you are away on a trip. Have a trusted neighbor collect mail and newspapers while you are away so delivered items do not accumulate. You can also ask a neighbor to park in your driveway or parking place to make it appear that you are present.
- Never leave a message on your telephone answering machine telling people that you are away from your home. A message that you will return at a certain time leaves your home vulnerable in the interim.
- Use window and door alarms. "Alarms vary in degree of sophistication, ranging from a door alarm that makes noise to silent alarms patched into your local police station. Burglars will typically leave when any alarm is sounded. In addition, an inexpensive alarm also creates valuable piece of mind."
- Take a complete inventory of your valuables and place jewelry and documents in a safety deposit box.
- Never place keys under the doormat, flower pot or window ledge. "Burglars study the daily habits and routines of people. Experience has taught them to check these places first when casing a house."
- Lock up ladders, tools or lawn furniture. "These items could be used by burglars to gain entry into the home."
- Trim trees and shrubs surrounding the home. "If overgrown, these areas serve as perfect hiding places for burglars and allow them to work undetected.
- Organize a community watch program to protect your neighborhood. An alert community is a safe community.
Campus Safety Tips
Safety on campus should not be overlooked. Despite what you may think, college campuses often attract crime. No need to worry, though. We'll tell you what you need to know to keep safe and avoid being the victim of crime. Here are the topics we'll cover.
Common Campus Crime
Theft
This one tops the list. Bicycles, backpacks, purses, and wallets are among the campus thief's favorite items to steal. Fortunately, you can protect your property by taking a few simple precautions.
Burglary
Breaking into an apartment or dorm room to steal property is less common than straight theft. Still, burglary comprises a sizable chunk of campus crime.
Assault
Physical assault, one person inflicting bodily injury on another, is the least frequent of common campus crime. But statistics on sexual assault, including rape and acquaintance rape, are hard to interpret since these crimes go largely unreported. This suggests sexual assault is more frequent than police reports show.
This one tops the list. Bicycles, backpacks, purses, and wallets are among the campus thief's favorite items to steal. Fortunately, you can protect your property by taking a few simple precautions.
Burglary
Breaking into an apartment or dorm room to steal property is less common than straight theft. Still, burglary comprises a sizable chunk of campus crime.
Assault
Physical assault, one person inflicting bodily injury on another, is the least frequent of common campus crime. But statistics on sexual assault, including rape and acquaintance rape, are hard to interpret since these crimes go largely unreported. This suggests sexual assault is more frequent than police reports show.
General Tips on Crime Prevention
Prevent Theft
You can make a thief's job significantly more difficult by obeying these guidelines: Lock your bike where there's heavy foot traffic. Always use a kryptonite-type lock. If you set down your purse or backpack, know where it is at all times. Never leave your belongings unattended.
Prevent Burglary
Always keep the door to your apartment or dorm room locked. Dead bolts and other such safety lock devices provide added protection. Never let strangers inside your home. Do not leave spare keys under the doormat or in other obvious hiding places. Inscribe items of value with your driver's license number.
Car Safety
Park in well-lighted areas close to foot traffic. Lock all doors and roll up windows when exiting your car and again after you enter your car. Never leave valuables in plain sight. Have your keys in hand when returning to your car at night and walk with someone if possible. If car jacked, surrender your vehicle immediately.
You can make a thief's job significantly more difficult by obeying these guidelines: Lock your bike where there's heavy foot traffic. Always use a kryptonite-type lock. If you set down your purse or backpack, know where it is at all times. Never leave your belongings unattended.
Prevent Burglary
Always keep the door to your apartment or dorm room locked. Dead bolts and other such safety lock devices provide added protection. Never let strangers inside your home. Do not leave spare keys under the doormat or in other obvious hiding places. Inscribe items of value with your driver's license number.
Car Safety
Park in well-lighted areas close to foot traffic. Lock all doors and roll up windows when exiting your car and again after you enter your car. Never leave valuables in plain sight. Have your keys in hand when returning to your car at night and walk with someone if possible. If car jacked, surrender your vehicle immediately.
Sex Crimes
Understanding Sex Crimes
What is sexual assault?Sexual assault is defined as any sexual activity forced upon one person by another. Many victims fail to report sexual assault because they are not sure an "assault" has actually taken place, or they feel they are to blame. "NO" means "NO." If a person won't take "NO" for an answer then sexual assault has occurred.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment differs from sexual assault in that no one is physically abused. Depending on the circumstances, examples of harassment include: repeated and unwanted romantic advances, discussions of a sexual nature, abusive language aimed at a particular sex, the telling of lewd jokes, unwanted touching. You do not need to put up with anything that makes you uncomfortable.
Acquaintance rape
The overwhelming majority of rapes are perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Sexual abuse is never the victim's fault. But you can take steps to avoid being victimized. Clearly communicate what you want and don't want. Set your limits before you go on a date. Be aware of signals you may be sending.
What You Can Do to Prevent Sex Crimes
If You Have Questions
If you think you may be the victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment but are unsure, talk to a counselor who deals with such cases. Your campus medical facility or local hospital has trained professionals on staff who can help you understand what has happened.
Defuse a Bad Situation
If you find yourself in a situation where there is potential for sexual assault, you can use several tactics to dissuade your attacker:
Be Aware, Keep Smart and Stay Safe
Common Sense
This is perhaps your best protection against crime. Follow these basic rules: Don't walk alone at night and stick to well-lighted streets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid having headphones in both ears while listening to a music device when walking. If you are being followed, walk fast to a populated area. Don't give your phone number or address to strangers.
Prevent Sexual Assault
In addition to exercising the common sense rules mentioned above, you should always exercise caution when drinking. In most cases of sexual assault, especially acquaintance rape, drugs and/or alcohol were used by one or both people involved. If you drink, drink responsibly. Don't drink any drink that you did not buy yourself, and never leave your drink unattended.
Be aware
Contact your local police department to locate high crime areas on campus and in town. Learn what crimes are most prevalent in your neighborhood. You'll know what precautions to take once you've identified the most prevalent types of crime and where they occur.
Report suspicious behavior
Call the police if you suspect someone is committing or attempting to commit a crime. Your involvement makes a safer environment for everyone. Give the police a good description of the suspect. Do not try apprehending the person yourself.
Precautions You Can Take
Self-Defense Classes
Many college campuses offer training in self-defense through the gymnasium or police department for a small fee. Mace and pepper spray training may also be available. Inquire at your local police department. Private self-defense instruction is also available in most areas.
Make Use of Campus Safety Services
With a quick call to your local police department, you can find out what safety resources are available to you. The police department can assist with instructions for crime prevention. And many colleges offer night walk and night shuttle services.
What to Do If You Are the Victim of Crime
Report the crime immediately
If the police are not aware of the crime, there's nothing they can do about it. Be prepared to tell the police: what happened exactly, where the crime happened, when it happened, who you are and where you're calling from. Do not disturb any evidence at the crime scene while waiting for police to arrive.
Reporting Sexual Assault
Tell someone you trust what has happened. Whether you report sexual assault to the police or not, you should seek medical treatment and counseling immediately. Do not bathe, change clothes, or otherwise destroy evidence before seeing a doctor. Your physician will be able to refer you to a counselor.
What is sexual assault?Sexual assault is defined as any sexual activity forced upon one person by another. Many victims fail to report sexual assault because they are not sure an "assault" has actually taken place, or they feel they are to blame. "NO" means "NO." If a person won't take "NO" for an answer then sexual assault has occurred.
Sexual Harassment
Sexual harassment differs from sexual assault in that no one is physically abused. Depending on the circumstances, examples of harassment include: repeated and unwanted romantic advances, discussions of a sexual nature, abusive language aimed at a particular sex, the telling of lewd jokes, unwanted touching. You do not need to put up with anything that makes you uncomfortable.
Acquaintance rape
The overwhelming majority of rapes are perpetrated by someone the victim knows. Sexual abuse is never the victim's fault. But you can take steps to avoid being victimized. Clearly communicate what you want and don't want. Set your limits before you go on a date. Be aware of signals you may be sending.
What You Can Do to Prevent Sex Crimes
If You Have Questions
If you think you may be the victim of sexual assault or sexual harassment but are unsure, talk to a counselor who deals with such cases. Your campus medical facility or local hospital has trained professionals on staff who can help you understand what has happened.
Defuse a Bad Situation
If you find yourself in a situation where there is potential for sexual assault, you can use several tactics to dissuade your attacker:
- Tell your attacker he is committing sexual harassment or sexual assault.
- Scream and draw attention to yourself
- Yell "NO" or "STOP" or even "FIRE!"
- Run away if possible
- Fight back using any means at your disposal
Be Aware, Keep Smart and Stay Safe
Common Sense
This is perhaps your best protection against crime. Follow these basic rules: Don't walk alone at night and stick to well-lighted streets. Be aware of your surroundings, avoid having headphones in both ears while listening to a music device when walking. If you are being followed, walk fast to a populated area. Don't give your phone number or address to strangers.
Prevent Sexual Assault
In addition to exercising the common sense rules mentioned above, you should always exercise caution when drinking. In most cases of sexual assault, especially acquaintance rape, drugs and/or alcohol were used by one or both people involved. If you drink, drink responsibly. Don't drink any drink that you did not buy yourself, and never leave your drink unattended.
Be aware
Contact your local police department to locate high crime areas on campus and in town. Learn what crimes are most prevalent in your neighborhood. You'll know what precautions to take once you've identified the most prevalent types of crime and where they occur.
Report suspicious behavior
Call the police if you suspect someone is committing or attempting to commit a crime. Your involvement makes a safer environment for everyone. Give the police a good description of the suspect. Do not try apprehending the person yourself.
Precautions You Can Take
Self-Defense Classes
Many college campuses offer training in self-defense through the gymnasium or police department for a small fee. Mace and pepper spray training may also be available. Inquire at your local police department. Private self-defense instruction is also available in most areas.
Make Use of Campus Safety Services
With a quick call to your local police department, you can find out what safety resources are available to you. The police department can assist with instructions for crime prevention. And many colleges offer night walk and night shuttle services.
What to Do If You Are the Victim of Crime
Report the crime immediately
If the police are not aware of the crime, there's nothing they can do about it. Be prepared to tell the police: what happened exactly, where the crime happened, when it happened, who you are and where you're calling from. Do not disturb any evidence at the crime scene while waiting for police to arrive.
Reporting Sexual Assault
Tell someone you trust what has happened. Whether you report sexual assault to the police or not, you should seek medical treatment and counseling immediately. Do not bathe, change clothes, or otherwise destroy evidence before seeing a doctor. Your physician will be able to refer you to a counselor.
Safety links
NYS Office of Counter Terrorism - Hotline
Statewide Public Security Tips Hotline
NYSEG
Report Power Outage
Report Streetlight Outage
Kids
ProtectKids.com - Protecting Children in Cyberspace
McGruff the Crime Dog / National Crime Prevention Council
AMBER Alert
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Computer Crime
Wikipedia definitions
Identity Theft Resource Center
Computer Crime Research Center
National Institute of Justice Electronic Crime Program
Hate Crimes
Hate Crimes Research Network
Sexual Assault & Rape
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Men Can Stop Rape
Statewide Public Security Tips Hotline
NYSEG
Report Power Outage
Report Streetlight Outage
Kids
ProtectKids.com - Protecting Children in Cyberspace
McGruff the Crime Dog / National Crime Prevention Council
AMBER Alert
National Center for Missing and Exploited Children
Computer Crime
Wikipedia definitions
Identity Theft Resource Center
Computer Crime Research Center
National Institute of Justice Electronic Crime Program
Hate Crimes
Hate Crimes Research Network
Sexual Assault & Rape
Rape, Abuse & Incest National Network
Sexual Violence Research Initiative
Men Can Stop Rape