Prevention Works

April 1st kicks off Personal Security Awareness Month

April 1^st kicks off Personal Security Awareness Month (PSAM).  It’s a month designed to raise awareness about personal security options and deliver valuable knowledge and life-saving advice to men and women across the globe. Throughout April, SHOLDIT and other personal protection experts, law enforcement professionals, and companies will partner up to spread the word of PSAM’s mission and inform the public on ways to stay safe. SHOLDIT will also donate ten percent of its online profits in the month of April to the National Crime Prevention Council as a way to help the organization further its efforts to keep people, themselves, and their families safe from crime. 

We had the opportunity to get more information from SHOLDIT about PSAM. For more information visit www.PersonalSecurityAwarenessMonth.com.

 

Q:        Why did SHOLDIT create PSAM?

The need for Personal Security Awareness Month was created because we want to raise awareness about the fact that crime rates across the globe are on the rise and there is a strong need for people to be more aware. Yes, there are already sources and experts out there, but PSAM’s purpose is to be the watchdog that delivers valuable information on trends, cases, and expert resources to allow the people to stay informed and make their own educated decisions on steps for prevention. 

Q.        Tell us about the launch Event on April 1^st:

This free event will offer valuable knowledge and experience on topics ranging from parking lot security and survival mindset to vehicle safety and beyond.  A wide range of security experts will teach you how to be safe and aware on April 1, 2013, at the Bellevue University Campus in Sarpy County, NE, from 4:30pm to 6:45pm. The event will feature top ranking police officers, security experts from Sarpy and Cass county Sheriffs, Clark International, Leonum Advisors, Palladin Consulting Group, Jones Automotive, Civil Dispatch, and others.  Valuable Information from the event, including videos, will be available online shortly after the event.

 Q.        What are you doing nationally?

SHOLDIT is doing a national push to bring awareness to Personal Security Awareness Month.  Our efforts have already been featured in a wide range of national press outlets. We want to reach people to remind them to stay aware of the dangers, how to try to outthink the criminals, and stay out of reach of their quick and clever tactics.

 Q.        Are you going to do this every year?

Yes, we plan to continue to grow the event next year and hope to make PSAM a nationally (and internationally) recognized month each April.  We need people to get involved and spread the word! We also are looking for emerging trends, new techniques to keep the public safe, and people who are willing to share their own personal stories in an effort to help others avoid the same kind of victimization.

 

Q.        What do you hope to accomplish?

It all comes down to saving lives and or saving people from becoming victims.  By hosting PSAM annually, our goal is to refresh the tips they already know and also to share new trends that con artists are using and how each of us can prevent victimization by being ahead of their game.

  Editor’s Note:  The National Crime Prevention Council sends a special thanks to SHOLDIT and Ms. Angela Lee, founder, for contributing to NCPC’s continued efforts to “Take A Bite Out Of Crime^®.”

Texting while Driving – Not as Easy as it Looks

Texting while driving is a detrimental epidemic in the United States; it’s dangerous and has serious consequences. Statistics show that in 2011 at least 23 percent of auto collisions involved cell phones. That’s more than one million accidents! Texting makes a crash 23 times more likely to occur. 

Texting while driving includes the acts of composing, sending, or reading a text message or email, or doing anything else on a cellular device while driving a vehicle. The minimum amount of time your eyes are diverted from the road because of texting is five seconds; if you’re driving 55 mph that equals driving the entire length of a football field without looking at the road. Think of how many obstacles there are for the 100 yards of a football field… can you imagine how many there would be on the road?   

Although dangerous, it is not uncommon among teenage drivers or adults to text while driving. Seventy-seven percent of young adults are confident that they can safely drive a vehicle while texting. The percentage is so high because 48 percent of kids ages 12-17 have been in a vehicle while the driver was texting. If kids grow up seeing adults, parents, or caregivers texting and using their cellphones while operating motor vehicles, the kids are going to think it is acceptable.

Ways to prevent texting and driving:

Create laws:

• Ten states plus Washington, D.C., prohibit all drivers from using handheld cell phone devices
• Thirty-nine states plus Washington, D.C., prohibit all drivers from text messaging while driving a motor vehicle

Use preventive technology to:

• Disable incoming calls and text message while driving
• Send auto-text replies to let whoever texted you know that you are driving

*Many cell phone providers offer FREE anti-texting and driving mobile applications.

Simply set a good example for the passengers in your vehicle:

• Place your phone in the backseat or the trunk if you are tempted to use it

No matter what the scenario is, a text message can wait until your vehicle is in park and the car is turned off.  If you feel that it is urgent, pull your car over to the side of the road or a parking lot to respond to a text message you receive while driving. The satisfaction of responding to a text message while driving a vehicle is not worth the consequences: receiving a ticket; causing an accident; or even worse, fatal injury to you, your friends, or innocent bystanders.

Visit www.ncpc.org to learn more about wireless safety and for resources to help your family or community address other safety issues.

Taking the Issue of Sexual Assault Seriously

Valentine’s Day is quickly approaching. Before you cozy up and get hit by cupid’s arrow, you need to make sure that whatever activity you participate in, you are safe from sexual predators. Many of us have heard our parents or adult influences warn us about the dangers of sexual predators. How long will it be or how many unfortunate news stories will occur before people, especially young adults, take this issue seriously? Rape and sexual assault are no joking matter. I have lived on a college campus for three years now and I hear more people joking about it than people caring to stop it. Living on a college campus is great; you get to meet new people, go different places, enjoy new experiences, and become responsible for your own life. However, this responsibility is new to many young adults and if you are not careful and make wise choices, you can become a victim.

According to the Uniform Crime Report [1] there were 83,425 rapes reported in 2011. The CDC [2] (Centers for Disease Control) stated that about 80 percent of female rape victims were first raped at age 25 or younger.  That is a huge number of kids we’re talking about in high school and college.  The CDC’s National Intimate Partner and Sexual Violence Survey (NISVS) [3] showed that one-third of  the women in the United States have experienced rape, physical violence, or stalking by an intimate partner in their lifetime. In the 2009 CVS [4] (Crime Victimization Survey) conducted by the Bureau of Justice Statistics it was highlighted that 70 percent of violent crimes against women were committed by someone they knew. To me, those statistics are astounding, and terrifying.

Although I live on a very small college campus, I still know people who have been raped or sexually assaulted. Attending a college party or meeting with a friend alone in their dorm can turn out to be dangerous if you don’t know the other students very well.

There are other dangerous situations in which people have been victims of rape or sexual assault. With social networking and dating sites becoming increasingly prominent, you often hear about friends meeting people they don’t know online, or even going to meet this stranger in person.  According to the Enough-is-Enough [7] website, 65 percent of online sex offenders used social networking sites to get home or school information about a victim. Meeting with or even talking to someone you don’t know can be extremely risky. You can never be sure that the person you are talking to is actually who they say they are.

There are some simple rules I live by that have helped me and my friends out of potentially hazardous situations:

1)      Always go out with a group of friends; that way you can watch out for them and they can watch out for you.

2)      Never put your drink down or leave it unattended.

3)      Trust your guts; if it doesn’t feel right, don’t force yourself to do something just to appease your friends.

Many of those tips may seem like common sense. However, common sense tends to get pushed aside for things like drinking alcohol or trying to look “cool.” Don’t sacrifice your safety for your image or peer pressure. Go out, have fun, and meet friends, but most importantly make sure to be safe. For more tips and information on sexual violence, visit RAINN [5] (Rape, Abuse, & Incest National Network). For more information, resources, and strategies see the NCPC tip sheet on date rape [8] or visit ncpc.org [6].

[1] http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/ucr/crime-in-the-u.s/2011/crime-in-the-u.s.-2011/violent-crime/forcible-rape

[2] http://www.cdc.gov/media/releases/2011/p1214_sexual_violence.html

[3] http://www.cdc.gov/ViolencePrevention/pdf/NISVS_Report2010-a.pdf

[4] http://bjs.ojp.usdoj.gov/content/pub/pdf/cv09.pdf

[5] http://www.rainn.org/

[6] http://www.ncpc.org/topics/violent-crime-and-personal-safety

[7] http://www.internetsafety101.org/Predatorstatistics.htm#_ftnref

[8] http://www.ncpc.org/resources/files/pdf/training/Date%20Rape%202012.pdf

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.

Be An Active Partner in Your Children’s School Safety

Two days prior to the tragic school shooting in Newtown, CT, my co-worker’s daughter’s school had a lockdown due to a student bringing a gun into the school.  My co-worker, a retired police officer and coincidently from Connecticut, was in Virginia with me on business when it occurred.  This prompted us to have a lengthy discussion regarding overall school safety and what changes he would recommend for his daughter’s school.  Sadly, I didn’t even know what my own children’s school policy and procedures were for this type of incident. The next evening (Thursday), my co-worker voiced his concerns to a few members of the school’s PTO and business community.  Then Friday, the tragedy occurred.  He and I were totally heartbroken.

This tragedy caused me to have serious conversations with my children and what protocols they are taught should a tragedy such as this occur.  I normally leave these conversations to my husband who is a retired police officer and very active in the school (a private K3-12 institution), but I wanted to know for myself that my children will be as safe as possible.  I already had a few concerns regarding visitors and past students having too much open access to the school.  Although the school has a very friendly and family-oriented atmosphere, you still cannot be too careful.  Just in 2001 during the Washington, DC, sniper attacks, the snipers were in the school’s neighborhood.  Trust me, that is still very much on my mind.

I must say what my oldest child and my niece (who also attends the school), 12^th and 10^th grades, told me their procedures were during an active shooter lockdown disturbed me. It was vastly different from what my son in 2^nd grade is supposed to do.  On December 18, NCPC released a press release to offer tips and resources to parents, students, and educators, along with our School Safety Toolkit and other resources.  Armed with this information, I gave it to the school’s director.  The school, with thousands of other schools across the country, reexamined its policies and procedures on school safety.  My husband assisted the school’s director with a safety drill on January 4. As a result, necessary changes have been made.

I would like to urge parents to become an active partner with your children and in their schools.  Whether it is attending a sporting event or school play; a more serious matter such as your child being bullied or approached by a gang; or the unthinkable – a school shooting such as Newtown, as a parent, you have the power to inform, make suggestions, and play an active role in the safety and security of your child.  Don’t be a bystander in their lives. Your partnership could make a critical difference in creating a safe, caring, and thriving environment for not only your child but also for the entire school population as well.

January is National Stalking Awareness Month

While legal definitions of stalking can differ depending on local, state, and federal laws, the National Center for Victims of Crime generally defines stalking as a “course of conduct directed at a specific person that would cause a reasonable person to feel fear.”

The National Center for Victims of Crime is the nation’s top organization for information related to crime victims and those affiliated with them, such as advocacy groups and human services organizations. Located in Washington, DC, The National Center for Victims of Crime launched the National Stalking Awareness Month (NSAM) campaign in 2004. NSAM was developed out of the work done by the Stalking Resource Center, a program of the National Center for Victims of Crime, funded by the Office on Violence Against Women, U.S. Department of Justice.

This annual observance is an excellent way for the public, as well as law enforcement professionals and advocacy groups to learn more about stalking and ways to develop responses and solutions to this oftentimes faceless crime. The Stalking Resource Center of the National Center for Victims of Crime has developed a comprehensive website with educational materials, statistics, and resources.

Recent statistics have shown that 6.6 million people are stalked in one year in the United States. The crime of stalking perpetuates fear, anxiety, and social dysfunction in its victims, and can escalate into violence, sometimes fatal, without awareness and the involvement of law enforcement.

The National Crime Prevention Council (NCPC) is also dedicated to the personal safety of all citizens, and encourages the public to view its resources on a variety of safety-oriented topics. Please visit the below links to learn more about NCPC’s initiatives.

• If people are vigilant and take common-sense precautions, crime can be prevented. Take steps to avoid becoming a victim by reading NCPC’s resources on Violent Crime and Personal Safety.
• NCPC also created a Rapid Response flyer on sexual assault that gives tips if someone is being followed. Click here to learn more.

See something. Feel something. What does that really mean?

By Lt. James Perez

Fairfield Ct. Police Dept

And Sarita Coletrane, NCPC

Why do some of us find ourselves becoming victims of crime while others seem to slip past unscathed? Some attribute it to luck while others simply don’t know why. One thing is for sure; we all have or can have more control in preventing or reducing our chances of becoming victims.

Every one of us has a sixth sense that we can develop to make us increasingly aware of our surroundings and less vulnerable to criminal intent. Like a muscle, we must give our sixth sense a workout to become more effective.  The American Heritage Dictionary defines sixth sense as “a power of perception seemingly independent of the five senses; keen intuition.”  It further describes it as “having power to discern the true nature of a person or situation.”  During a crisis or traumatic event, our mind works like a hard drive of a computer. What you put in is exactly what will come out. By using sound judgment, following suggested safety tips, and mentally playing out scenarios, one can sharpen intuition, which can lead to sharper perception. Think about how many times you second guess yourself regarding a strong negative feeling or sensing that something is wrong. We tend to shrug it off to the point that we talk ourselves out of the very mechanism that’s there to protect us.  During this holiday time of shopping, attending holiday functions with family and friends, eating out at restaurants, and visiting the holiday lights, it is especially important to be cognizant of your surroundings and safety. The next time you get that uncanny feeling, don’t dismiss it. It can protect you and your family from becoming  victims of crime.

Click here for holiday safety tips and holiday safety tips for last minute shoppers

Keeping Crime Prevention Simple – A Strategy for Success

As Crime Prevention Month comes to an end, the National Crime Prevention Council will reflect upon the successes of our constituents and communities in their efforts to prevent crime. One strategy we have consistently gotten feedback on is that simple prevention tips and information are often the best ways to convey information to wide-ranging and varied audiences.

To expand on this notion, one of our National Crime Prevention Level II Specialists, Steven Kerpelman, graciously offered his expertise in the below guest blog. Currently, Mr. Kerpelman serves as the security contractor's Operations Manager and Deputy Project Manager at NASA’s Goddard Space Flight Center in Maryland. He has extensive experience in the field of security analysis and crime prevention.

Many leaders in crime prevention, such as law enforcement agencies, Neighborhood Watch captains, and security professionals can conduct a crime prevention survey and recommend numerous ways to keep a particular individual, residence, or business more safe and secure. 

However, if those recommendations are not understood, they will not be implemented. I believe human nature will stop most individuals from stating that they don’t understand everything we recommend, out of a perceived fear that we may think less of them for not understanding.  This is especially important if you use a checklist which doesn’t expand on your recommendations.  In the next paragraph, I will explain what I mean with one of the most basic lock recommendations.

If I am going to recommend a double cylinder deadbolt lock for a door because it is next to a glass pane but has a single cylinder deadbolt, I will explain to the individual what double cylinder means exactly.  It is important to take the extra minute and tell the individual exactly what you mean and show them.  In this example, if you just state the lock must be operated by a key both on the inside and outside, most people will understand this, but they may not understand the term double cylinder.  You can think of it this way; prior to becoming involved in crime prevention, did you know what a double cylinder lock was?  I am sure you knew that some locks operated by a key on the inside and some had a turn knob, but most of you probably just thought of the interior cylinder as “the turning thing.” 

When individuals learn that crime prevention is based on common sense principles, more advanced strategies make more sense to them. I have found that when you keep it simple and explain your areas of concern and solutions to most individuals, they will have a greater sense of what crime prevention entails.

While I use the lock as an example, it should be noted that in some jurisdictions, the double cylinder deadbolt may not be legal.

Technology and Personal Safety

Have you ever walked past another person in a garage or along the street at night and looked back to make sure the person continued walking and wasn’t about to attack you?  I used to think it was just me, the fact that I work here at NCPC or my love of crime dramas that caused me to be extra cautious in that situation.  But the other day I found out that I’m not the only one.

I was talking to someone who said she gets so lost in the music on her iPod that she’s not paying attention to her surroundings to and from the subway system.  Until the day someone startled her enough to make her scream out loud, she hadn’t considered that noise-cancelling headphones also cancel out the sounds of someone sneaking up on her while walking.  She’s not the only one.  I see people walking every day around my neighborhood doing the same thing.  I see them lost in their music, texting, reading or using their tablets while trying to walk.

The ubiquitous nature of technology means that I know more about my friends’ and colleagues’ daily habits, thoughts and musings than I ever could through personal conversation.  While I love and embrace the technology available today, I worry about how it has caused many of us to become too lax about our personal safety. 

I’m also that annoying friend who reminds people not to post when they are leaving for vacation or how long they’ll be gone.  We’ve all seen the postings that say “Can’t wait to leave tomorrow for two weeks in Hawaii!”  A friend recently thanked me for those annoying but necessary reminders after hearing that one of her friends was robbed after posting on a listserv that she couldn’t participate in an upcoming community activity because she would be out of the country for three weeks.  A neighbor used that information to help himself to her valuables, which he sold to various pawn shops and other illegal avenues for cash.

As the holiday season gets underway with so many of us visiting relatives in different parts of the country or heading to a destination vacation, the need to be vigilant about our personal safety is more important than ever.  Please remember to:

1. Be aware of your surroundings and remain vigilant for suspicious activity
2. Enjoy technology but remember that safety comes first
3. Think before you post any personal information and your whereabouts

McGruff the Crime Dog and the staff at the National Crime Prevention Council want you to be safe every day.  Be sure to do your part to protect yourself, your family, and your community from crime.

Don’t Get Scammed After the Storm

Now that Sandy has ripped up the eastern seaboard, flooding homes, tearing off roofs, and bringing down trees, people are beginning to clean up.  There will be a great many good contractors out there that will give you a reasonable price to conduct thorough work.  But there will also be the unscrupulous characters that will overcharge, use inferior products, take a deposit and never return to do the work, and otherwise try to scam you out of your hard-earned money.

Even though you’re in a hurry to get repairs done and debris removed.  Be sure to check out contractors and other repair people before hiring them.

• Use contractors and service people that you’ve used before. Or ask your neighbors or friends for recommendations.
• Get several estimates before choosing someone to do the job.
• Make sure to get a signed contract or estimate before allowing anyone to perform work on your home.
• Check your state’s licensing agency to make sure that your contractor is licensed.  Ask to see proof of insurance.
• Stay away from the guy driving down the road, drumming up business as he goes along.  He may claim that he’s doing work for your neighbor or has materials leftover from another job.  These are almost always scammers.
• Don’t pay with cash.  Although many small contractors don’t accept credit cards, they will accept checks.
• Don’t give service people money to buy materials.  Ideally, contractors will buy the materials up front and bill you later.  If not, them at the store and pay for the materials there.
• Check with the Better Business Bureau or other consumer protection groups in your area.

Although there are people who will try to take advantage of others during hard times, there are also communities across the country that will be pulling together in the wake of Sandy’s destruction to help each other dig out, repair, and come together as neighbors.   While watching out for yourself, please remember to help out others.