Prevention Works

Cover Up! Protect Your Privacy on Data Privacy Day

We divulge a lot of personal information online. If not publicly and intentionally via social media and cell apps, we do so inadvertently through online shopping and banking, emailing, and even just by browsing through the latest cute videos or pictures.  And we browse on more than our computers.  Nowadays we can disseminate all our personal information instantly from our phones and tablets.  If you’re not careful, the results can be devastating.

In 2010, 8.6 million households in the U.S. had at least one member age 12 or older who experienced one or more types of identity theft, according to the Bureau of Justice Statistics.  In October 2012, in South Carolina alone, 3.6 million social security numbers were hacked.   And in recent years we’ve heard too many tragic stories of school-aged children taking their own lives because of cyberbullying that took place online and with cell phones.

To encourage people to take responsibility for protecting their own privacy and data online, the National Cyber Security Alliance and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security’s Stop.Think.Connect. campaign started Data Privacy Day in 2008, which is observed in the U.S and Canada.  January 28, Data Privacy Day, commemorates the 1981 signing of Convention 108 – the first legally binding international treaty dealing with privacy and data protection.

The National Crime Prevention Council is a national partner of the Stop.Think.Connect. campaign, which reminds Americans that cybersecurity is a shared responsibility. The national public awareness campaign is aimed at increasing the understanding of cyber threats and empowering the American public to be safer and more secure online. The NCPC recommends individuals review its Mind What You Do Online booklet from its website, review privacy settings for your computer, cell, and tablet applications, and check out the Stop.Think.Connect. Quick Tips page for incident response and reporting tips.

A few basic tips include

• Keep security software current: Having the latest security software, web browser, and operating system are the best defenses against viruses, malware, and other online threats.
• Unique account, unique password: Separate passwords for every account helps to thwart cybercriminals.
• Protect your money: When banking and shopping, ensure the site is security enabled. Look for web addresses with “https://” or “shttp://”, which means the site takes extra measures to help secure your information.
• Back it up: Protect your valuable work, music, photos, and other digital information by making an electronic copy and storing it safely.
• Post only about others as you have them post about you: Post messages that do not include threats; insults; offensive, name-calling; teasing; or language that excludes individuals or groups.

Crime Shows and Why Women Love Them

I am a huge fan of crime shows on television.  Shows like Criminal Minds, CSI, NCIS, and Law and Order have dominated the television screens of millions of Americans since their inception.  I love them for the suspense, intrigue, and the stories of survival.  However, pure entertainment is not the only thing viewers are getting when watching these shows.  Researchers from the University of Nebraska – Lincoln surveyed hundreds of people about how often they watch different types of crime shows (e.g. crime dramas versus “real crime” shows) and found that the type of crime shows people watch influenced their perceptions on everything from the crime rate to their faith in the criminal justice system. (Watching the Detectives: Crime Programming, Fear of Crime, and Attitudes About the Criminal Justice System). 

Also coming out of this research was a barely-explored notion that women who watch these fictional or “real crime” shows also view them as opportunities to learn personal safety tips.  Of course I love the entertainment value as much as the next person but I have always believed it was just me who watched them and thought, “I wonder if that would really work to get me out of the same situation.”

A radio station who picked up on the research study hosted a call-in segment to see if this theory was right.  Do women watch these clenching dramas for ideas on how to escape criminal situations?  I listened with rapt attention to find out if there were others like me.  It turns out that many women see these shows as a lesson in protecting themselves.  The crimes portrayed in these shows hold the attention of many women because they know these crimes can occur in everyday life.  Based on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln research, we know the people who watch crime shows are likely to believe the crime rate is higher and hold many other skewed perceptions.  Perhaps their belief in being able to get out of a criminal situation safely by using tips they learned in a TV show is skewed as well.

Even though I work at the National Crime Prevention Council I have occasionally looked around in the middle of doing something and thought, “this is just like that scene from . . .”  I guess I just can’t help but replay in my mind those few seconds that showed how the victim got away.

The research summary did not draw any conclusions about the pros or cons of deriving personal safety tips from crime shows.  So now I’m left with the question:  Is there anything wrong with viewers watching crime shows to get personal safety tips?

Note:  NCPC has a wealth of crime prevention information at your fingertips.  If you need to find personal safety tips, please visit: http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety.

Do you have nomophobia?

The rise in use of smartphones has resulted in a new fear called nomophobia.  A recent survey by U.K.-based mobile security service provider SecurEnvoy conducted among 1,000 people found that two thirds (66%) of respondents fear losing or being without their mobile phone.  And it is on the rise — up 13% from just four years ago.  Nomophobia also includes the anxiety someone feels when not in the range of a cell tower to receive optimal reception.

If you live in the Washington Metropolitan Area you might be slightly more concerned about nomophobia given recent reports in the media.  Last week the Metropolitan Police Department reported a rise in the theft of smartphones in the District of Columbia.  In a Washington Post article Chief Cathy Lanier said, “It is the single fastest rising crime issue that I’ve seen in a long time.”  Lanier also said 40 to 50 percent of all robberies in the city are smartphone-related.

According to the article, the robberies have been a “snatch, grab, and run” type with the phones being resold quickly.  The average resale value for the phones is estimated to range from $100 - $300.  If this is happening in your area what can you do to protect your smartphone?

NCPC has a few tips:

• Be aware of your surroundings when using your smartphone in public.  Keep your smartphone close to you and do not leave it on a table, desk, or counter.
• Use passwords to lock your phone.
• Do not save your passwords on your smartphone for social media sites, banking, or other personal accounts.
• Know the phone number to report your missing or stolen smartphone.  When you call, the cell phone company can disable the phone remotely.
• Protect your smartphone by using a smartphone security pouch or smartphone security case
• Back up the information on your cell phone in case you lose or have your smartphone stolen.  Most cell phone companies offer backup assistance through your phone plans.
• Download a “find your phone” app or enable a Wipe feature on your phone. If you won’t be able to get your phone back, a Wipe application will clear all the data so your private information won’t fall into the wrong hands.  There is also other technology available that renders the phone useless if stolen.

Do you have any tips to add to this list?

For more information on the survey: http://mashable.com/2012/02/21/nomophobia/

Monopoly Money

Let’s face it; in times of economic hardship, we could all use just a little bit more money.

Something to set aside, something to pay the bills, or even, dare I say, something to splurge on a vacation. In a society where money makes the world go around, many of us have been standing still for quite some time. So, when you need more money, what do you do? Get another job? Work a few hours of overtime? Or how about removing the ink on a five dollar bill and reprinting it as a one-hundred dollar bill? One of these things is not quite like the others, but sadly, it’s still true.

Throughout the United States, and most recently in the Milwaukee Metro area, businesses have been victims of counterfeit currency transactions. Perpetrators are bleaching five dollar bills clean of ink, and then printing over the real money with larger denominations such as twenty, fifty, or even one-hundred dollar bills. Unfortunately, what’s fast money for some is hard earned money for others and not just the businesses, but every employee that works for them.  Thankfully, there are a few tips and precautions that business operators and clerks can take to prevent themselves from falling victim to counterfeiters.

• Now that you’re aware, be on the lookout for any suspicious bills.
• In addition to the standard security pen test, hold the bill up to the light and look for the watermark on the right hand side of the bill every time.
• Don’t be afraid to contact your local police department or manager if you’re unsure about a suspicious looking bill.

For more information about counterfeit money, visit www.wiccrimeprevention.com.

When Charities Aren’t so Charitable

The tornados of 2011, Japan, Hurricane Katrina, 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, and Haiti: these are examples of moments when our world is halted by devastation. We can’t imagine how this happened, why it happened, and how it feels to be a victim of the disaster. Our hearts go out, and we want to help in any way that we can. Sure, we could take the time to go and physically help with the rescue and rebuild, but that requires taking time off work, finances for travel, and sometimes specialized training. One way that we can help from home is through making a donation. Often people give food, clothing, water, and money. Thankfully, many charities and organizations exist for the sole purpose of assisting those affected by natural disasters. But what happens when the charity doesn’t do what it says it will?

First, some tips on how to avoid fraudulent charities:

• Don’t open unsolicited emails. If you do happen to open an email, don’t click on any links or pictures.
• Go directly to the organization’s website, instead of doing transactions via email.
• Never give out personal or financial information over the telephone. Always request physical information or emails with instructions on how to donate to the organization.
• If you are questioning the legitimacy of an organization, do a little research to make sure that they are who they say they are. GuideStar.org is a nonprofit organization dedicated to encouraging nonprofit transparency, meaning making nonprofits’ organizational budgets and staffing open to the public. “Non-profit and charitable organizations associated with disaster relief efforts should be encouraged to be transparent. The availability of information and public disclosure about charities’ operations can help stimulate oversight by donors, the media, academia, and private organizations” (Bryant, 2006).
• Though it may seem heartless, don’t always trust people that claim to be individual victims of the disaster. By donating through a trusted organization, you may not be helping that specific solicitor, but you will know that your money is going where you intended it. U.S. News & World Report wrote an article called “How to Donate Wisely,” where they mention that “online or in person, the high-pressure pitch is the scammer’s hallmark” (2010).

We know hearts are in the right place when trying to donate money to victims of disasters, but that doesn’t always mean those accepting the money have the same heart. If you feel like you have been a victim of a charity scam, report it to the National Center for Disaster Fraud. If you would like to report suspicious email or internet activity, go to the Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3). IC3’s suggestion for finding out more information about charity schemes is to go to www.lookstogoodtobetrue.com. Lastly, visit NCPC for more information and resources on how to avoid charity and other types of fraud and identity theft. 

Drive safely, the life you save may be mine.

Why is it that as we get older we lose some of what we’ve learned from our parents. Our parents taught us to be honest, trustworthy, kind, and to treat others as we would like to be treated. Today we use programs like NCPC’s Circle of Respect to teach our children to respect themselves, respect their family and friends and to respect their community. The reason I’m writing on this topic is because I commute a long distance to and from work each day and I’ve seen people acting like they don’t care about anyone and don’t care what they do while driving. Would they treat their family the same as they treat their fellow commuters with little to no respect? Would they speed up if a family member was trying to change lanes? I don’t think so, so why is it they treat others differently when they’re behind the wheel. If it were a family member would they cut someone off and then wave without using all their digits? I don’t think so.  Would they follow so closely to the vehicle in front of them that you would never have time to stop safely? I don’t think so. So why is it that when driving we forget what our parents taught us and what we taught/teach our children? Is it that we’re not the same person when we are driving but change into Dr Jekyll? Whatever the reason, late, tired, sleepy or just not paying attention, we have to change. Treat your fellow commuters with a little respect, when you see someone trying to change lanes, let them in, don’t follow too closely and when someone allows you to cut in front of them give them a little wave to say thanks and yes, use all your digits, but most importantly respect yourself. One thing I’ve learned, traffic congestion isn’t going to go down, if anything it is going up, so as more and more of us commute let’s get back to basics and respect each other as we were taught. I should also bring to your attention that most of these driving habits, like speeding and aggressive driving are crimes and may be punishable by fines, loss of license or jail time. Lastly, I see people on their cell phones, or texting, and other distractions that are also often considered crimes. The Wireless Foundation is making combating these distraction issues a high priority and we are here to help them get the word out. Drive safely, the life you save may be mine.

Getting Your Perspective Back

Sometimes we get tend to caught up in the little things in life. We stress about what to wear, we let the person who stole our parking spot ruin our day, or we curse the people who stand on the left side of the escalator instead of on the right. While it is extremely easy to get caught up in life’s everyday stresses and frustrations, every once in a while something or some event puts our perspective back in order.
Recently something happened in my life that slapped my perspective right back into place. When I began to sit back and reflect on my life, I was reminded that life is short and while we can’t control everything it throws at us, we can do everything we can to make the most of the time we do have here. Don’t worry I’m not going to get all philosophical on you, but we do need to think from time to time about what we can do to make our lives more fulfilling and of course, safer.

Let’s tackle the first one: fulfilling. No, I’m not talking about running out and buying yourself more shoes or a better car. I’m talking about volunteering. Since it’s still the beginning of the year, why not add volunteering to your list of New Year’s resolutions? Volunteering is a great way to get more involved in your community, to get to know the people, and to simply help out those in need. If you have never volunteered before or are nervous by the thought of it, just remember that you are making a difference and that in the big scheme of things in life, it’s the right thing to do. If you are unsure as to where you can volunteer in your community, check out the website www.volunteermatch.com; it can hook you up with local organizations in your community that need volunteers.

Now on to the second one: safer. Safety is a critical aspect of life; if we aren’t safe, we aren’t really living. There are some everyday things that can make yours and your family’s life safer, like locking your doors, avoiding walking alone at night, and staying alert and tuned into your surroundings. If you are interested in seeing how you can get more involved in creating a safer community, you can start a neighborhood watch group, create posters with safety tips to hang in your community, or call up your local law enforcement and see how you can help out.

Fortunately, volunteering and safety go hand in hand. There are plenty of ways you can volunteer and make your community safer at the same time so there’s no excuse! For more tips on personal safety and volunteering visit www.ncpc.org.

WHAT’S YOUR RESOLUTION?

We all know the drill. 2010 is coming to a close and right about now is the time for those beloved, yet often-forgotten New Year’s resolutions. Lose those last five (or fifty) pounds, quit smoking, work less, play harder; whatever your vice is,  now is the time to choose to get rid of it and move forward! The season is alive and well with goal-driven energy and it is only right that we make the best of it.

Though most resolutions are motivated by personal reward, why not try something new this year and consider not only how you can help yourself but also how you can support your local community and address an issue that is a concern for everyone. Ask yourself in 2011, what can I do to prevent crime in my community? What can I do to help the youth I pass everyday stay out of trouble? Even the smallest acts of service are effective in crime prevention. To help get you started, try some of these ideas:

• Become more active in the community by participating in or starting a Neighborhood Watch program
• Ensure your children know how to handle bullying situations. You can watch NCPC’s “Samantha’s Choice” video for a simple conversation-starter
• Volunteer at a community center to conduct activities for youth

Whatever activity you choose, make sure to engage your own interests so that it is fun for you. As many of us know, it’s easier to stick to those resolutions that we find enjoyable. The important thing to remember is that the new year is a new opportunity to do something bigger and better than we did before and what better way to start the year off right than to do our part to prevent crime and be the change we want to see in society.

Give the criminals a break

An unreported crime is nothing.
•    It didn’t happen.
•    No one can get arrested for possession of stolen property.
•    No one can be prosecuted for the crime itself.
•    No property can be returned to the owner.
   
Because you didn’t report that small bit of crime, your small piece of a bigger puzzle is
lost and another crime may go unsolved based on your failure to report.

•    Other victims didn’t know that there was a history or recent criminal activity on their street.
•    The other victims also didn’t report the crime.
•    Everyone (people at work) was surprised to hear that you were a crime victim.
•    Because you didn’t report the crime:
•    Crime prevention doesn’t come into play.
•    No questions were asked.
•    Nothing new to learn.
•    No change in your behavior.
•    You believe that reporting doesn’t matter.
•    You become a silent victim.
•    You become angry and changed nothing.

You told one of your neighbors.

•    You said, “The cops aren’t going to do anything about it.”
•    But, patrol deputies don’t know about it either.
•    Deputies think it’s a no crime/low crime area.
•    No criminals ever hang out in that neighborhood.

You’ve unknowingly sent an alert to bad guys.
•    This is a great neighborhood.
•    No crime equals a low risk area for the criminal.
•    No crime equals an area of great opportunities.
•    Go ahead. Commit another crime.  No one bothered to report the first one.

Send a message to the friends of bad guys.

•    In my neighborhood, you’re safe if you’re a criminal because you’re unwatched and not run off by the neighbors.
•    They don’t call the cops in that neighborhood.
•    The neighbor saw me, but drove on by. Ha! Did they think their gaze really scared me
away?

When you don’t report a crime, it can’t be fixed.

•    The next one is not prevented.
•    No one knows about. It didn’t happen.
•    It tells me that you don’t care. You don’t care about the cops, your neighbors, or your neighborhood. You’ve isolated yourself. Go ahead, don’t report the crime.

Give the criminals a break.

Special thanks to guest blogger Sherrie Carhart, Crime Prevention Specialist, Sacramento County Sheriff’s Office. This post comes from her recent speech on Reporting Crime.

The relationship between 8th grade algebra and a life of crime or victimization

At a recent criminal justice conference, during a panel called “Communities at Risk,” one panelist said the indicator of how your life may proceed depends on how you did in 8th grade algebra. That got me thinking; what is the relationship between 8th grade algebra and a life of crime or victimization?

As usually happens when I encounter algebra, I was left with more questions than answers. But let me take a run at it.  Algebra is a discipline and a whole body of study that many never master, yet many apply themselves to it. More than once has an algebra student challenged a teacher with the statement, “When am I ever going to use this stuff?” It seems esoteric. What is the practical application?  It is an area of study where, for some, the easiest thing to do would be to throw up one’s hands and say, “It’s not for me,” and give up and move onto something easier or more fun.  It takes discipline.  It requires a “stick-to-it-tiveness” that many in our instant gratification world reject as too much trouble.

Maybe, if I’m that 8th grader, I don’t have someone at home who can tutor me, or at least encourage me to give it my best effort. If the messages I get at home and in the community second my adolescent thoughts on algebra, it is an easy path to forego it. And if I don’t pass it, maybe I’m held back and begin that downward spiral of underachievement.

But maybe, even more critical, does my school district even offer 8th grade algebra and are there qualified, excellent, and committed teachers to assist me? And hugely significant, what are the expectations my community and my family have for me?

Many profiles of young and old men in prison include a failure to do well academically.  The predominant reading level of those in prison is usually a low elementary grade level. 
But how does that relate to crime? If at the 8th grade I take the easier path on math, maybe it’s just a short hop and a skip to take a shortcut on a lot of other (important) things— other schoolwork, other responsibilities, law abiding, authority respecting.

“The indicator of how your life may proceed depends on how you did in 8th grade algebra.”  As I said, the speaker’s statement left me with a lot of intriguing questions. Got any answers? Post them below and show all work.