Be
Aware
Burglary
Prevention
Take time and follow some of the below suggestions
provided by Modesto Police Burglary Detectives to
protect your property:
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Lock your cars doors even when leaving for a short
period of time.
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If possible do not keep valuables in your car.
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Keep valuables (even small items) out of sight
or locked in a trunk. Make sure there is no one
watching you.
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Install an alarm system
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Park in areas that are well lit with high visibility.
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Use your garage, cars parked outside are a target.
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Remove your garage remote from your car and take
it in if you park outside.
Burglars take time to look into cars, and under car
seats for concealed purses, laptops, or other valuable
before breaking in to vehicles. Some of the more common
targeted areas are parking lots along commercial businesses,
strip malls, restaurants, schools, health clubs, residential
streets, and apartment parking lot complexes.
Shoppers and citizens are being asked to be aware
of their surroundings before leaving their cars. Look
for suspicious vehicles, people on foot, or subjects
on bicycles cruising parking lots. Many criminals
are looking into vehicles, wandering or looking around
without apparent reason, wearing gloves, carrying
backpacks, and using lookouts.
Protecting
Children
Protect society's most valued asset, your children.
Child abuse is often committed by someone known to
the child. If you develop a positive relationship
with your children, they will not feel afraid to discuss
their problems with you. Know their interests and
friends. Set good examples for them to follow. Help
them to develop a strong value and a positive self-image.
Help them to enjoy their youth while being aware of
their environment and how they can protect themselves.
Discuss these issues with them:
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Recognizing suspicious and inappropriate behavior
among strangers and family members.
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How no one should touch the areas of their body
that a bathing suit would cover.
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To remember vehicle license numbers and the description
of the persons acting in a suspicious way.
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To let you know where they are at all times.
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To go straight to a cashier or an information booth
if they become separated from you in a public area.
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If they are home alone they should not open the
door or when answering the phone, should not say
that they are alone in the house.
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To never enter a strange person's vehicle and never
hitchhike.
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To tell you if they are ever threatened.
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What 9-1-1 is and when to use it.
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To stay safe on the Internet.
Internet Safety Tips for Kids
The Internet is a lot of fun to surf and is a great
learning tool for homework help or just general information,
right? Right, but there is a bad side to the Internet
and, just like at school or at the park, you need
to think about your personal safety when you’re
surfing.
Okay,
so say you’re on AOL and chatting to one of
your friends and someone you don’t know starts
to talk to you. They seem pretty nice, so you keep
chatting. They ask you about school and your mom,
your dad, if you have any brothers or sisters. They
seem really interested in you. So, after a while,
since this person is so nice, you start talking to
them all the time. Pretty soon, they tell you they
wish they could hang out with you. Maybe they could
meet you at the mall or the skateboard park or your
house.
What should you do? Just like at the park you shouldn’t
talk to strangers. You really don’t know this
person. Maybe they are nice but maybe they are not.
You should talk to an adult you trust about this person
and, with that trusted adult, decide how to deal with
the situation. Never make plans to meet someone you’re
met on the Internet without discussing the idea with
your mom, dad or your guardian.
The scary truth is that there are people on the Internet
that pretend they are someone they are not. In some
situations those people become your friends on-line
and then they try to find or meet you. Children and
adults have been hurt or gone missing because they
went to meet an “Internet friend”. Use
your common sense. If you don’t feel comfortable,
immediately tell an adult, sign off, and go surf somewhere
else.
Never
give out any personal information, like your name,
phone number or address to anyone on the Internet
that you AND your parents don’t know. It can
be dangerous. Just like at the park, you have to play
safe.
There are some really great sites on the net but you
need to be careful when you check them out. A couple
of safe places to look at for good sites are:
Be safe! And have fun. Get mom or dad to sit and surf
with you. You could probably teach them a thing or
two!
Personal Safety
While anyone of any age can be victimized, women,
seniors and persons with disabilities are targeted
more frequently.These guidelines will help you and
your family to reduce crime and maintain a more secure
and safer environment.
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Use only your first initial(s) and your last name
on mailboxes, in directories, etc. if you live alone.
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Never open your door to a stranger without proper
identification.
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Arrange a system so that someone you trust has a
key to your home and is aware of your whereabouts
at all times, especially if you live alone.
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Don't display large amounts of money in public or
keep it in your home.
-
Don't leave keys hidden in obvious places (i.e.
under mat, under planter, over door frame, etc.)
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Walk on well-lit streets near the curb and away
from alleys, particularly if you must walk alone
at night.
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When in public, always be aware of your surroundings.
Be mindful of persons loitering or acting suspiciously.
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If you suspect you are being followed, go to the
nearest well-lit public place or populated area.
Yell if necessary to attract attention.
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Never hitchhike. Once trapped inside a vehicle,
it is difficult to escape.
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If you are being sexually or physically abused at
your home, workplace or social setting, help is
available. Report the offense.
Home Safety
You can help to increase the safety of your home and
neighborhood by joining Neighborhood Watch. Through
proper attention to home security and protection,
you can reduce and discourage unlawful residence entries
and enjoy the comfort of your home. Follow these simple
and effective measures:
-
Clearly mark all of your electronics and related
items with your California Drivers License. An engraver
is available through your local Crime Prevention
Officer at no charge.
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Install dead bolt locks on all exterior doors and
self-tapping screws in the upper track of patio
doors and windows.
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Ensure that entry locks are changed or re-keyed,
if you are a new tenant or owner.
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Secure all basement and ground level windows and
patio doors.
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Have your local Crime Prevention Officer come to
your home for a courtesy safety inspection.
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Make your home fire-safe, eliminate all fire hazards
such as papers or cleaners stored near your furnace.
Install and test smoke alarms and plan an escape
route.
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Insure your home and contents. Store valuables in
a safety deposit box.
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Give you home a "lived-in" look when you’re
gone by using automatic timers.
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Have the mail, newspapers, etc., picked up and the
awns cut when you are away from home.
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Trim all shrubs, trees and plant life away from
your home so that windows are in plain view.
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Check references of all individuals before employing
anyone in your home.
Vehicle Safety
Motor vehicles have become an important part of our
lifestyle. Personal safety and protection must be
a consideration every time you enter the vehicle.
These suggestions will help to keep you protected
and keep your vehicle safer:
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Ensure that your vehicle is well-maintained, mechanically
fit and road-worthy.
-
Always check in the back seat of your vehicle before
entering, especially at night, especially when alone.
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Always wear your seatbelt.
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Never drink and drive.
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Never leave your vehicle unattended with the engine
running.
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Park in well-lit areas at night.
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Don't ever leave personal identification or valuables
in the vehicle.
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Consider installing an anti-theft device and a locking
gas cap.
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Always lock all doors and windows after exiting.
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Keep your garage locked. Lock your vehicle even
though it’s inside the garage.
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Don't put your name or address on your vehicle keys.
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Keep your vehicle and house keys on separate key
rings or on a detachable key ring. When turning
your vehicle in for service, separate your house
keys.
-
In case of vehicle trouble, turn on your flashers,
lock yourself in your vehicle and display a "Call
Police" sign. Wait in your car for the police.
Do not open the door or window for a “friendly”
passerby.
Phone Busters
Do these sound familiar?
-
Congratulations! You are guaranteed to win a prize,
but you have to buy our products to get your prize.
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Congratulations! You have won your choice of several
wonderful prizes! All we need is your bank account
number or Visa number to confirm who you are and
we will send them off.
-
Congratulations! You are already the winner of something
ridiculously fabulous but you have to send us money
up front for shipping and handling.
-
Someone claiming to be a lawyer/customs officer/police
officer has just told you that you are entitled
to a large cash settlement, but you have to send
money for taxes in advance.
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A caller just told you that they will recover the
amount of money that was already lost to another
telemarketing company.
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A scratch and win card has just arrived. You scratch
the prize area and see that you have won one of
the prizes mentioned, but you have to call a "900"
number in order to claim your prize.
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An official document has just arrived advising you
that you won some gift, but you will have to call
a certain number in order to claim your prize.
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You have just seen a number in a publication that
tells you to call a number to obtain a loan. They
have approved you for the loan but are requesting
an upfront fee (first and last months payment/application
or insurance fees, etc., in order to process your
request).
All of these are scams. If you had really won something,
you wouldn’t need to send any fees or taxes
up front. All of those are handled by IRS when you
file your tax return. These people are just trying
to get your hard earned money. Don’t let them
have it.
Senior Busters
Be aware that there are many con artists that want
your money. The key is to be aware. There are mail
and email frauds, con games and sweet-talk crimes.
Keep these guidelines and you should be able to detect
a con. If it’s too good to be true, it probably
is.
-
Don't pay any money up front. Do not pay any fees
or "good faith" money.
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Do not sign any contract without having it examined.
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Check the credentials of any salesperson or business.
All business people should be registered with City
licensing or the Better Business Bureau.
-
Don’t make hasty decisions where your money
or property is concerned.
Here
are some examples of frequently used scams:
"Your money is safe . . . with me"
What
they do: pretend to be bank inspectors and ask for
your assistance in catching a person defrauding the
bank. But they need you to take money out of your
account to make sure they have the right person.
What
you do: Close the door or hang up the phone and call
police. If you’re already at your bank, pretend
you’re going along with it to get away from
the “inspector” and have the bank teller
call the police.
"Let
me fix that for you"
What
they do: come to your house telling you that you need
home repairs or that they think you do and want to
inspect your roof, floor, etc.
What
you do: If you did not call these people, close the
door and call the police. Never let anyone you don’t
know into your home. When you actually need home repair,
make sure you get at least three quotes before you
choose a company. Make sure the company has a contractor’s
license and is fully licensed and insured.
"Trust me – I’m a cop "
What
they do: pretend to be a police officer investigating
a crime. He/she wants to mark the valuables but does
not have the tools. He/she asks you to take them to
the station.
What
you do: Get their IBM number and name, close the door
and call the police. If the person at the door is
a police officer, he/she will understand.
”All that glitters is not Gold"
What
they do: approach you and say he/she has a gold nugget
and needs money for a family emergency. A second person
stops as the first person is talking to you. The second
person pretends this is too good to be true and asks
if he/she can take the nugget to a conveniently nearby
jewelry store to have it confirmed as being gold.
The second person then comes out of the jewelry store
and states that it is gold and that it is worth a
stated amount. But the second person only has enough
money in their bank account to cover half of the cost
of the gold nugget. Will you cover the other half?
What
you do: Get a good description of these people and
any vehicle they may have. Call the police immediately
to report the activity, even though you were too smart
to be conned. These people are working together. No
one in the jewelry store even looked at the nugget,
which is actually a piece of dense metal painted gold.
You were about to be swindled. What your parents told
you is true. If it looks too good to be true, it probably
is.
”Lotto
Luck”
What they do: A person approaches you and says that
he/she has a winning lottery ticket but cannot cash
it because he/she has no identification and/or is
in this country illegally. Often, a second person
will also participate in this scam. It can be very
similar to the gold scam and usually requires you
to take money out of your account or wallet.
What you do: Get a good description and call the police.
You don’t need to be legal to collect lottery
winnings.
For
Seniors:
Safety is generally a matter of common sense. Making
yourself feel less vulnerable is sometimes more difficult.
The best way to be, and feel safe, is by educating
yourself as much as possible and being aware of your
surroundings.
Home
Safety
Make
sure that you have good locks on all doors and on
your windows. And ensure that your home is well lit.
If you are concerned about the security of your home,
and you live in the Modesto Police Department area,
you are welcome to call the Modesto Police Department’s
Crime Prevention Officer for your area and book a
Home Security Inspection. A Crime Prevention Officer
will come to your home and thoroughly evaluate your
home. You will then be given advice as to how to make
your home more secure and a less desirable target
to an opportunistic criminal.
Most people feel very safe in their own homes. This
feeling of safety can be shattered when you are broken
into or find yourself in a situation with an unwanted
caller or visitor. There are several ways to make
yourself less vulnerable.
Valuables
Have all of your valuables marked for identification.
Things like your TV, stereo, walker, cane and motorized
scooter can be engraved to deter theft. You can borrow
an engraver from the Crime Prevention Office or call
us for other options.
Write down the makes, models, and serial numbers of
any valuable equipment and put it away for safe keeping,
preferably in a safety deposit box or in a concealed
location.
At the Door
Never open the door before you know who is on the
other side. Have a peephole installed in the door
so that you can see who the caller is. A peephole
is inexpensive and easily installed. If you do not
know the person, do not open the door. If they refuse
to leave, call the police. If a stranger comes to
the door needing to use the phone, dial the number
for them and speak on their behalf. You do not have
to open the door. If you don’t feel comfortable,
don’t do it.
On
the Telephone
You are always in control of a phone conversation.
If a stranger calls, and asks you who they are speaking
to, ask them who they are looking for. Don’t
let callers take over. Do not volunteer personal information.
Do not give out your name and address to complete
strangers. If the caller states they are from a company
or organization, ask for their business, name and
number and tell them you will call them back. Remember,
if they keep talking after you tell them you are not
interested, they are being rude, not you. Hang up
on them.
If
you are having a problem with obscene calls or frequent
hang ups or wrong numbers call the telephone company.
There are a variety of options available including
getting a new phone number.
Safety on The Street
Be aware of your surroundings and plan the route you
are going to take. If you are going into an area where
you are uncomfortable, ask yourself if there is an
alternate route and take it. If you are walking on
the sidewalk, walk in the middle. This makes it tougher
for a criminal to grab a purse or a bag. Avoid poorly
lit areas.
Don't:
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Carry large sums of money or
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Flash your money around or
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Carry so much that you do not have one free hand!
Safety
in Your Vehicle
There are some simple guidelines to vehicle safety:
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Keep your vehicle in good working order.
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Never let your gas drop below ¼ of a tank.
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Make sure you lock your vehicle, even when you are
in it.
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Never leave valuables visible. Don’t ever
leave your purse or briefcase on the seat, even
if you’re just running in somewhere “for
a minute”.
-
Make sure that you have your car keys ready as you
go to your car.
-
Be sure to check the front and back seats before
you get in.
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Keep a flashlight handy.
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Never put your name, address or driver’s license
number on your key ring.
-
Keep an emergency kit in your trunk. Include a blanket,
candle, matches/lighter, a granola or energy bar
and water. (You may never need it, but there’s
comfort in having it available if you should break
down.) Replace the granola/energy bar and water
often in the summer and every month or so in the
winter.
If
you break down:
• Put on your four way flashers, put your hood
up and stay in your car until help arrives.
• If a stranger stops to help, speak through
a barely opened window. If you are uncomfortable or
you don’t trust the stranger, tell them police
are already on their way. If that does not work, sound
your horn.
If
The Worst Happens...
If you are being robbed, give up whatever the item
being demanded of you. Nothing is worth your life!
You are more important! Try to get details about your
attacker, note the hair color, height, age, eye color,
any scars or physical features that stand out.
If
you have to defend yourself, for whatever reason,
remember, there are no rules! It is good practice
to carry a whistle. If you are in a situation, the
best way to attract attention is to make a loud noise.
Yelling works, but it takes a lot of energy and voices
can fail. A whistle is very loud and takes much less
energy. Report the details to the police immediately. |