Archive for January, 2010
Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Sadly, violent crime is a reality of living in an urban community. Usually law enforcement doesn’t get involved until after the crime and you’ve become another statistic. Students need to take responsibility for their own personal safety and protection. There are many inexpensive non-lethal personal protection products available for purchase online. Most are cheaper than a beer tab at the Delmar Loop in University City, Missouri. The Stun Master 950,000 volt Rechargeable Lipstick stun gun is an effective inexpensive way to keep a college co-ed safe!
Crime Is Real, Don’t Be a Victim!
Gerald Urban
Tags: co-ed, coed, college, crime, daughter, daughter going to college, dorm, non lethal, non-lethal self defense, non-lethal self defense products, pepper spray, personal, personal safety, protection, rape, rape prevention, rechargeable lipstick stun gun, safety, self defense, sexual assault, street crime, student, stun gun, ultimate personal safety kit for women, urban, urban college, urban commuter, urban crime, urban safety, urban university, violent crime
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Tuesday, January 26th, 2010
Marking your property is one of the most simple and effective ways of protecting your possessions.
• For a start, property marking puts burglars off because it let’s others know that the item has been stolen, making it much more difficult to sell. The other big advantage is that it makes tracing and returning your stolen property a lot easier for police.
• The Metropolitan police say that there are two main types of property marking: the first is known as permanent marking, when you engrave or “punch” your property with your street number and postcode. Inexpensive permanent marketing kits can be bought from most DIY stores.
• Make sure you engrave with a fine drill or sharp-pointed tool, and use a template or stencil to keep it neat and tidy. Punching is a form of permanent marking that is done with a hammer and a set of punches bearing numbers and letters. This method is good for bicycles, mowers, engines, or other sturdy metal objects, but don’t use this on aluminum as it’s easily damaged. Of course, you could just improvise and scratch your postcode on it with a sharp object, depending on how happy you expect to be with the final appearance.
Invisible Protection
• Invisible marking is the other method of property marking. This is best for antiques or valuable property that would lose value if spoiled by permanent marking. Police usually check stolen property with a special ultra-violet (UV) marker pen should be used. Just as for permanent marking, use your postcode and mark again if you move. The police also say that it is important to remember that UV marking fades and will need to be renewed every so often.
• Most police forces run schemes that let you borrow an UV or ceramic marker, and you can buy them at most DIY stores. However, in some cases, chemicals can be used to remove invisible marking, and as it fades quickly, you should remember to regularly update your markings.
• Although you can’t see it with the naked eye, invisible marking can still be a deterrent to burglars, but you must let them know you’ve done it by using stickers from the police saying, “property in this home has been marked”. Contact your local police for more details about this.
• When it comes to deciding which items to mark, the answer is “up to you”. Think about what you value most and what might be attractive to thieves. The truth is almost anything can be a target for theft, so why not mark everything?
• It’s worth keeping a property list or inventory of all your household possessions, and be sure to mark the things that you own as you compile your list, including items kept in your shed or garage.
• Finally, where your property is marked is important, especially if engraving or punching. The chances are you’ll want to keep the mark out of site, so try marking underneath or around the back of the item. The most important thing to remember is to choose a surface that can’t be removed without spoiling the basic appearance or performance of the item. If thieves can’t remove your mark without breaking your property, then it’s worthless and they probably won’t want it.
Crime Is Real, Don’t Be a Victim!
Gerald Urban
Tags: burglary, coed, college, crime, dorm, home protection, property, protection, safety, student, theft, urban
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Tuesday, January 12th, 2010
ATM cash machines have been incorporated in our way of life. They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using an ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24-hours a day doesn’t mean it is safe to use it. Most ATM robberies occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight. ATM robbers are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Most ATM robbery victims are woman and were alone when robbed. Most claim that they never saw the robber coming. Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demanding their cash.
If you or your family members use ATM cash machines on a regular basis, here are some tips that can make the process a little safer:
• Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. Don’t use ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars, walls, or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees. ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses. Robbers like good escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high speed thoroughfares.
• Choose an ATM that looks and ‘feels’ safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way. Try and limit your use to daylight hours. Take someone with you after hours, if you can. When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you see anyone suspicious standing nearby or sitting in a car, drive away. When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your access card ready. Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. Never accept an offer to help or request for help from a suspicious make ahead of you at the machine. If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction machine. First, tell the suspicious male in a loud, firm voice to “back-off” and leave you alone. This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee, if appropriate. When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away.
• If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply. Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the drivers side. If you see anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your ATM card behind. If you are confronted by an armed robber, just give up your money without argument. The cash is not worth serious injury or death. Get to a safe place and call the police immediately.
• If lights around the ATM are not working, don’t use that machine
• Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places
• Beware of offers for help from strangers during an ATM transaction
• Don’t fight with or attempt to follow the robber
• Drive or walk to a safe place and immediately call the police
Crime Is Real, Don’t Be a Victim!
Gerald Urban
Tags: atm, bank, cash, crime, protection, robbery, safety, security, theft, urban
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Saturday, January 9th, 2010
Wherever you are on the street, in an office building or shopping malls, driving, waiting for a bus or cab, stay alert and tuned in to your surroundings.
Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uncomfortable, avoid the person or leave.
Know the neighborhoods where you live and work. Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public telephones, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.
On Foot-Day or Night
• Stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, or alleys.
• Don’t flash money or other tempting targets like jewelry or clothing.
• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps. Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket. Carry only what is necessary and try not to keep currency and credit cards all in one place.
• Don’t wear shoes or clothing that restrict your movements.
• Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door.
• Try to use automated teller machines in the daytime. Have your card in hand and don’t approach the machine if you’re uneasy about people nearby. Better yet, only use the ATM machines inside of grocery stores, malls, or gas stations.
• If you think someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant, or lighted house. If someone harasses you, don’t be embarrassed. Loudly say “Leave me alone! Someone call the police! Get away!”
vehicle safety
• Keep your car in good running condition. Make sure there’s enough gas to get where you’re going and back.
• Always roll up the windows and lock car doors, even if you’re coming right back. Check inside and out before getting in.
• Avoid parking in isolated areas. Be especially alert in lots and underground parking garages.
• If you think someone is following you, don’t head home. Drive to the nearest police or fire station, gas station, or other open business to get help.
• If someone tries to rob you don’t resist. Give up your property. Don’t risk your life.
• Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from being victims.
• Take a Stand!
• Make your neighborhood and working place safer by reporting broken street lights, cleaning up parks and vacant lots and lobbying local government for better lighting in public places.
• Initiate a block watch program in your neighborhood by contacting your local crime prevention unit.
Crime Is Real, Don’t Be a Victim!
Gerald Urban
Tags: coed, college, crime, dorm, protection, rape, robbery, safety, sexual assault, street, student, urban
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Tuesday, January 5th, 2010
Theft and Vandalism
• Wherever possible, provide each dwelling with its own locked garage within the property boundaries. Locked garages outside the boundaries or well-lit and visible car parks are the next best thing.
• Where private garages are not feasible, a car-port or driveway parking is preferable to grouped parking away from dwellings.
• As a general rule, underground or multi-story car parks should be avoided, as they are breeding grounds for vandalism and crime. If they already exist, danger could be minimized by limiting entry points and providing them with sturdy locked gates. Alternatively, each resident could be provided with a lockable garage in their own space, with robust, vandal proof metal doors – garages within garages, so to speak. Or users can be provided with a secure lock or a plastic keycard, which operates electronic doors.
• Grouped car parks should be avoided in high-crime areas. If they cannot be avoided, they should be within view of some dwellings: they should be equipped with sturdy gates or tilt doors, and should never be sited near alleyways.
• Open car parks should be small and within view of dwellings and visitors’ car parks should be clearly identifiable, well lit, and visible from dwellings.
Rape, Assault, Robbery
• To make car parks safer, planners should provide direct access form parking areas to the entrance of dwellings.
• Car parks should be no further than 60 meters from dwellings, and the path should be well lit and free from shrubbery.
• Visitors’ car parks should be well lit, clearly identifiable, and visible from dwellings.
• Access to enclosed car parks should be limited to residents by some form of electronic entry control device if possible.
• If it is desirable to limit access to dwellings, make sure access via car parks is monitored as well.
• In high-crime areas, advanced technological surveillance methods may be needed in car parks. For example, an infrared unit is available which detects the presence of intruders – but not cats and dogs – by body heat, and automatically switches on all lights in the car park and turns them off after 15 to 20 minutes.
Crime Is Real, Don’t Be a Victim!
Gerald Urban
Tags: apartment, campus, carjacking, crime, dorm, parking, protection, robbery, safety, shopping, street, urban
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