Crime Prevention Tips: Report crime, suspicious people, activity and vehicles to 911. You must do your part to bring criminals to justice and prevent crime. APARTMENT BUILDING SECURITY We all have the potential to be victims of crime. Each of us can REDUCE THE RISK of our homes/property being victimized by eliminating the opportunity. LOBBY SECURITY Unknown or suspicious persons trying to get into the building should be referred to the Management, Security, or the Superintendent. DO NOT allow strangers to enter the building as you are leaving or entering. Cooperate with all other tenants in keeping the main doors locked at all times. DO NOT buzz anyone into the building whom you don’t know. Use only your first initial on the lobby directory, doorbell, mailbox and phone directory. DOOR SECURITY Doors should be mounted with hinge bolts that are not facing inwards. Install one-inch deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. Chain locks are poor security. Install a wide-angle viewer instead, and NEVER open your door to a stranger. NEVER leave your door unlocked, even while taking out the trash. DO NOT leave notes on your apartment door, or on the lobby directory. Use a Charlie-bar, or piece of wood, to secure the sliding glass doors and all lower windows. If you see a stranger carrying items out of a neighbor’s apartment, call the Manager’s office or 911. IS A BURGLAR WORKING YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD? Burglars and other criminals often strike neighborhoods where residents do not watch out for each other and do not call the police when they observe suspicious activity. It is very important that you be alert to the following activities, they may be happening in your area: • Strangers going door-to-door, (front or back, night or day), or loitering around the houses where residents may not be home. • Strangers entering a neighbor’s house when no one is home. • Strangers at your door who claim to be lost or looking for someone else. • Strangers running, possibly carrying something of value, not wrapped or packaged. • Strange vehicles waiting or driving in the area, parked in neighbor’s driveway, or loading property. • Vehicles driving without lights, or parked and occupied at unusual hours. • Unusual noises such as screaming, gunshots, dogs barking continuously, glass breaking, etc. • YOU MUST TAKE ACTION Burglaries and other crime can be stopped if you and your neighbors get involved. When you notice suspicious activity, call the police at 911. Be prepared to do your civic duty in reporting crime, being a witness for the police and testifying in court if called upon to do so. Develop good habits in personal and home safety so that you re not an easy target for a criminal. DON’T MAKE IT EASY Never allow strangers to enter your home for any reason such as using your telephone or bathroom. Call 911 for them if they need help. Be wary of sales people, solicitors, or others who claim to be legitimate. Make them prove it with identification. Then call back to their office to verify it. Remember, a burglar has to knock on your door to see if someone is home, just like anyone else does. If someone is at your door and you are not expecting a visitor or do not already know them, you should become suspicious. Never leave house keys under the door mat, in the mail box, etc., burglars check these places. Make sure your home is secured with good doors, windows and locks. Then keep them closed and locked when you are away, even if you will only be in the yard or next door. Place valuables such as extra cash and jewelry in a bank or safety deposit box. Keep your shrubs and trees trimmed so they do not become places for intruders to hide. Keep your property neat so burglars know that someone cares for it. When you are away from your home, make sure things appear as if someone were home. Leaving a radio or television on, the usual lights on, a car in the driveway and using timers are just a few good precautions. If you will be gone for an extended period, make sure a trusted neighbor will watch your home for you, pick up your mail and call the police if suspicious activity occurs. Also notify the police of your plans. This information will be provided to the officers who patrol your area. If you have an automatic garage door opener, never exit the garage until the door has closed and you are sure no one entered when the door was open. SECURITY TIPS LIGHTS: Install lights over all doors, mount spot lights on each corner of the house to illuminate all exterior walls. RECORD ALL VALUABLE PROPERTY: (See Operation Identification brochure) Keep a record of serial numbers along with a detailed description of your property. Engrave your social security number on all articles for additional protection. SLIDING DOORS AND WINDOWS: Cut a heavy dowel or broom handle to the length of the bottom track and lay it in the track so that the door or window will not slide open when forced. Your door and window dealer also sell devices that serve this purpose. BASEMENT OR KITCHEN DOORS AND WINDOWS: Consider securing with strong ornamental grills or screens. SASH WINDOWS: Should be secured with quality locking devices. Small wooden blocks or similar devices should be installed in the side tracks to limit the height that the windows can be opened to four (4) inches. GARAGE DOORS: Should be closed and properly locked. All ladders and tools that may help a burglar break into your house should be locked in the garage or house. PORCH AND YARD: Should be clear of all newspapers and circulars. Keep the grass mowed and the snow shoveled. DOGS: Any dog that barks loudly when a stranger comes to the door is a good deterrent. The noise will scare away most burglars. BURGLAR ALARMS: Shop for the system that best fits your needs. Alarms do discourage burglars. (Call 402-444-5772 for additional information.) PERSONAL COMMITMENT COMES FIRST Personal safety begins with a personal commitment to live in a safer environment. Without that commitment, no amount of information on safety will substantially reduce our risk of property loss, injury or death. Too often, we do not consider avoiding risk until tragedy occurs. With a commitment to safety, we reduce the amount of risk we are willing to tolerate and we develop good habits that can last a lifetime. HOME SAFETY Your home itself provides primary safety for you and your family. Make sure that features like doors, windows, locks, screens, lights, fences and walks are in good condition and will serve you when needed. Your neighborhood can also provide safety. Know your neighbors. Know whom you can depend on for assistance. Be a helpful neighbor yourself. When you answer your door, leave it locked until you know whom your visitor is. Do not rely on a door chain; if you must talk, talk through the door. You may verify a stranger’s identity by telephone with their company or organization. If they claim they need emergency help, call 911 for them, but leave your door secured. Understand that while someone has your attention at the front door, someone else may be trying to gain entry to the back door. Remember, strangers going door-to-door for legitimate business are not a common occurrence. Call 911 on all suspicious persons. If you are home alone and approached by a stranger outside, do not go back into the empty house alone with them. Even though the stranger’s story may sound very convincing or they may claim there is some sort of emergency, your safety could be in jeopardy. Get away from the stranger and go to a neighbor or an open business for help. It is better to abandon your house and go get help than be trapped inside it. VEHICLE SAFETY The condition of your car is important to your safety. Keep your car in good running condition to avoid being stranded. Make sure lights, brakes, doors, windows, horn and tires are in good shape. Keep your fuel tank at least one-half full at all times. Carry emergency items in foul weather. Have your keys out and ready when approaching your car. Look inside your car, front and back, before entering. Enter, lock the doors, fasten your safety belt and drive away without delay. Keep your doors locked and windows up when in congested areas. Adjust your speed to the operation of the traffic signals to reduce the number of times you must stop. Park in well-lit, open areas. An intruder can enter when an automatic garage door opener is in operation. Watch and stay locked in your car until the garage door is securely down and you are sure no one entered the garage. Be aware of anyone approaching you while you are in your car. Do not stop for hitchhikers or to offer roadside assistance; rather, use the nearest telephone to call 911 to get help. If you become concerned about being followed by another vehicle, drive to a well-lit location where other people are, such as a service station, not to your home. If you are stranded in your car, turn emergency flashers on, stay inside with doors locked and direct anyone offering assistance to call the police. Remember that you may use your car horn to attract attention and discourage an assailant. No keys For Thieves! Never leave your vehicle running ("warming-up") even for just a minute. It takes just seconds to steal a car. SAFETY IN PUBLIC PLACES Be aware of your surroundings at all times. Know the area you are walking in and be aware of who is near or approaching you. Walk in the middle of the sidewalk rather than close to the curb or buildings where a possible assailant could be waiting in a car or doorway. Avoid suspicious individuals or congregations that are loitering in the area. Poorly lit, deserted areas, such as alleys, parks and parking lots at night, or dark stairwells, can be dangerous. Walk with a companion, if possible; there is safety in numbers. Never disclose your plans or personal information to strangers. Do not ask strangers for directions or accept rides from them. Remember, be careful about whom you trust. Make absolutely certain you can rely on someone before you ride with them, confide in them or make a personal commitment to them. It is dangerous to display expensive jewelry, money, or other valuable merchandise, if you are in public. Carry purses or attaches close to your body. Never attach your address to your keys. If you are attacked for your money or other property and your welfare is at risk, give up the items demanded rather than face injury or death. Crime Classifications:
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