CRIME PREVENTION 2007!!

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Neighborhood Crime Watch is a resident-based program where citizens, in cooperation with the police department, directly participate in the detection and prevention of crime. In Abington, there are approximately 1.8 police officers for every thousand citizens. From a practical standpoint, police officers are not able to patrol every neighborhood street corner and are responsible for other tasks such as investigative work, administrative duties, traffic enforcement, report writing, court appearances, etc. There are many more citizens than there are police officers. Neighborhood Crime Watch greatly reduces the ratio gap, by extending the police department's eyes and ears. With the increased awareness in the neighborhood and the level of deterrence achieved by citizen participation, Neighborhood Crime Watch can help the police department reduce and prevent crime in Abington.
Crime prevention is everyone's responsibility. Not just a job for law enforcement all citizen's can learn how to protect themselves from crime by following these simple commonsense suggestions. Share these tips with your neighbors and friends, too, and make it tough for criminals to work in your neighborhood.

At home...
o Always keep your doors and windows locked. Install dead bolt locks on all your doors.
o Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out, and keep your curtains closed at night.
o Install a peephole in your front door so you can see callers without opening the door.
o Ask for proper identification from deliverymen or strangers. Don't be afraid of asking…if they are legitimate they won't mind.
o If a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him/her yourself. Never let a stranger into your home.
o Do not leave notes on your door when you are gone and do not hide your keys under the mat or in other conspicuous places.
o Never give out information over the phone indicating you are alone or that you won't be home at a certain time.
o When you are gone for more than a day make sure your home looks and sounds occupied - use an automatic timer to turn on lights and a radio or TV. While you're out...
o Carry your purse very close to you - don't dangle it from your arm. Also, never leave your purse in a shopping cart.
o Don't carry any more cash than is necessary. Many grocery stores now accept checks and automatic teller cards instead of cash.
o Avoid walking alone at night. Try to have a friend accompany you in high-risk areas even during the daytime.
o Have your paychecks or government checks sent directly to your bank account.
o Never withdraw money from your hank accounts for anyone except YOURSELF. Be wary of con artists and get-rich schemes that probably are too good to be true. In your car...
o Keep your gas tank full and your engine properly maintained to avoid breakdowns.
o Always lock your car doors. Even when you're inside and keep your windows rolled up.
o Lock packages and other valuables in the trunk. Do not leave them on the back seat or on the floor of the car where potential thieves can see them.
o When you return to your car always check the front and back seat before you get in.
o Never pick up hitchhikers.
o If your car breaks down. Pull over to the right as far as possible. Raise the hood, and wait inside the car for help. Do not get out of the car or unroll the window until the police arrive. If you are a victim at home…
o If you arrive at home and suspect a stranger may be inside, DON'T GO IN. Leave quietly and call 911 to report the crime.
o If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle. Do not pursue your attacker. Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible.
o If you have been swindled or conned, report the crime to your local police or District Attorney's Office. Con artists count on their victim's reluctance to admit they've been duped, but if you delay, you help them get away. Remember that if you never report the crime, they are free to cheat others again and again and you have no chance of ever getting your money back.
How to Safeguard Your Children
o Teach them to never talk to strangers.
o Teach them never to ride their bikes alone always ride with a buddy and always wear their helmet.
o Teach them to never play in the street.
o Teach them to always look both ways and watch for cars before entering or crossing the street.
o Establish neighborhood boundaries in which they may play.
o Teach them to never open the door to a stranger when home alone.
o Teach them that, when answering the telephone, never give out any personal information or let the person who calls know if they are alone.
o Teach them to be sure to let their parents know exactly where they will be and for how long, and to always call and let them know if they decide to go somewhere else.
o If they should see a gun, teach them to stop, don't touch and call an adult.
o Teach them to never get into a car with someone they don't know.
o If they feel threatened, teach them to run away as fast as they can.
o Develop a secret password that must be used if someone unfamiliar is to pick them up from school or play.
o If they come home and something about their house doesn't look right, teach them to go immediately to a neighbor's for help.
Safety Check-list for Children:
1. Before I go anywhere, I always check first with my parents, or the person in charge. I tell them where I am going, how I will get there, who will be going with me, and when I'll be back.
2. I check first for permission from my parents before getting into a car or leaving with anyone, even with someone I know. I check first before changing plans or accepting money, gifts or drugs without my parent's knowledge.
3. It is safer for me to be with other people when going places or playing outside. I always use the "buddy system."
4. I say NO if someone tries to touch me in ways that make me feel frightened, uncomfortable, or confused. Then I go tell a grown-up I trust what happened.
5. I know it is not my fault if someone touches me in a way that is not OK. I don't have to keep secrets about those touches.
6. I trust my feelings and talk to grown-ups about problems that are too big for me to handle on my own. Lots of people care about me and will listen and believe me. I am not alone.
7. It is never too late to ask for help. I can keep asking until I get the help that I need.
8. I am a special person, and I deserve to feel safe. My rules are: Scams
Statistics show that criminals for a wide variety of reasons more frequently target citizens over the age of fifty. Most citizens in this age bracket are more trusting and are often persuaded by reference to authority or official looking documents.
The Abington Police Department encourages all of our residents to contact the police department prior to making any monetary commitment to unknown persons or organizations. Simply contact the police department and we will gladly work with you to verify the legitimacy of the person or organization that has contacted you.
Golden Rule, “If it sounds too good to be true, it should be avoided.”

ATM Precautions:
o Always watch for suspicious persons or activity around an ATM.
o If you notice anything strange, leave and return some other time.
o Even if you have already started a transaction, cancel it and leave.
After dark:
o Take a companion along
o Park close to the ATM in a well lighted area; lock your car
o If the lights around the ATM aren't working, don't use it.
o Use your body as a shield while you enter your access code, so no one can see you type it.
o Take all of your transaction receipts with you; don't throw them away near the ATM.
o If you get cash - put it away right away don't stand at the ATM and count it.
o Never accept offers of assistance with the ATM from strangers; ask the bank for help.
o If you use a drive-up ATM, your vehicles other doors should be locked w/windows up.
o Memorize your access code; don't write it down and/or carry it with you.
o Don't use an access code that's the same as other word's or numbers in your wallet.
o Never tell your access code to ANYONE! (Including bank employees, the police, etc.)
o Never lend your ATM card to anyone; treat it like cash or a credit card.
o If you lose your ATM card, notify your bank or credit union immediately.