Prevention Works

Halloween Safety on Campus

We all know the Halloween parties that are hosted on campus grounds each year can get hectic sometimes. Heck we probably attended one that ended up in a disaster because safety measures weren’t considered. This year before you attend Halloween parties on campus please consider these safety tips below and the party will be a blast!

1)      Go with a group of friends you know and trust

2)      Make sure someone is monitoring who is entering the party.

3)      Make sure the door is locked at all times

4)      Be cautious when approaching strangers in costume.

5)      Beware of impersonators

6)      Report any suspicious activity

7)      If drinking, don’t leave your drink unattended, and never accept a drink from someone you don’t know.

8)      Use the buddy system when walking around campus.

9)      Make a plan to get home safely if you’re not staying on campus.

10)  Put an emergency number in your cell phone such as campus security, your friend’s and maybe even your friend’s roommate. If you get lost or separated, you’ll want to know who to call. Also, carry your cell phone on you at all times.

11)  Don’t drink excessively, know your limit.

As long as you follow these tips your Halloween party should go well without any unnecessary safety distractions. For more information please visit www.ncpc.org .

Start Snitching: The Social Taboo of Crime Reporting

The best way to protect ourselves from being victims of crime is to take preventative measures, and to report crimes that are known or witnessed. The task of reporting seems easy to most, but criminals and their associates go to great lengths to keep that from happening. According to the Merriam-Webster Dictionary, the word “snitch” means “to inform, tattle” (2011). Stop Snitching campaigns have grown strength in the past couple of decades, popularized by the entertainment industry. Phrases like “Snitches End Up in Ditches” or “Snitches End Up with Stitches” indicate that reporting a crime will result in physical harm, injury, or death. With consequences like that, it’s no wonder there is a fear to cooperate with law enforcement officials.

The Office of Community Oriented Policing Services (COPS) released a report in 2009 that offered several suggestions for officers in breaking the silence. Though the strategies are targeted for law enforcement personnel, they can be utilized by the general public as well. The strategies suggested were not specific to the type of crime committed, but rather overall tips on how to encourage reporting.

• Meet with neighborhood associations to initiate a counteractive campaign (COPS, 2009). A counteractive campaign on this topic would be referred to a “Start Snitching” campaign, which encourages community members to share information on criminal activity. If an association is not available, consider forming one, like Neighborhood Watch. Reporting crime individually may seem intimidating, but with an organized backing, more people may be willing to come forth.

• For those of you in the law enforcement field, increase police presence in high-crime areas (COPS, 2009). The increased visibility of officers will help the community members feel supported and guarded, thus encouraging a more cooperative relationship between law enforcement and the public. If you are not a member of law enforcement, contact your local authorities to see about getting an increased presence in your neighborhood.

• Support community members who want to report crimes but fear retaliation by providing a way to submit anonymous tips (COPS, 2009).

• Debunk the stereotype of snitching. Educate the public on the difference between reporting criminal activity and “tattling.”

For more information on crime reporting, check out more resources at Celebrate Safe Communities as we celebrate Crime Prevention Month.

Volunteers in Police Service Support Crime Prevention

At the Volunteers in Police Service Program (VIPS), we agree that safe communities are a thing to celebrate. VIPS is proud to partner with the National Crime Prevention Council and Celebrate Safe Communities to not only educate residents about crime prevention, but also recognize the work of dedicated law enforcement volunteers who offer their time on a daily basis to help prevent crime and promote public safety.

There are more than 244,000 law enforcement volunteers supporting more than 2,180 state, local, tribal, and campus VIPS Programs. We know the actual number of volunteer programs is much higher. Volunteers support many different facets of law enforcement work, including investigations, chaplaincy, code enforcement, and property management. One of the most significant areas in which volunteers provide support is crime prevention.  

Examples of volunteer crime prevention activities include:

• Performing vacation home checks for traveling residents
• Completing property security surveys with home and business owners
• Planning and supporting community public safety events
• Assisting with D.A.R.E. and other youth outreach events
• Speaking about crime prevention topics to civic and neighborhood groups
• Joining or leading a Neighborhood Watch
• Conducting citizen patrols in neighborhoods, businesses, and school grounds by car, bike, or foot

Are you ready to become a law enforcement volunteer?

Not all of the activities listed above are available in all jurisdictions, but there are likely many exciting and rewarding opportunities in your own community.

Visit www.policevolunteers.org/programs to search the VIPS Program Directory for law enforcement volunteer programs near you. The directory can be searched by zip code, state, and keyword.  On each listing, you will find a profile of the program and contact information for the volunteer program manager. If your local agency is not listed, try calling the department directly, as they may have volunteer opportunities that are not listed on the national website.

If you are a law enforcement agency looking to start or enhance your volunteer program, visit www.policevolunteers.org for access to a variety of publications, an information sharing listserv, and the Building Blocks of a Law Enforcement Volunteer Program E-learning Course.

For questions about volunteering with or implementing a law enforcement volunteer program, email info@policevolunteers.org or call 1-800-THE-IACP.

To hear more about VIPS crime prevention efforts, listen to the latest edition of the VIPS Monthly Podcast Series, This October, Celebrate Safe Communities.

The Volunteers in Police Service Program is managed by the International Association of Chiefs of Police in partnership with the Bureau of Justice Assistance, Office of Justice Programs, U.S. Department of Justice.

National Crime Prevention Month Home Safety Post By Kwikset

5 Simple Ways to Improve the Safety of Your Home

National Crime Prevention Month is upon us once again and we have a month packed full of events and resources to help you and your community improve safety and security both at home and away.

This first week of October kicks off the month with a focus on home safety. Kwikset®, the leader in innovative residential door hardware, is excited to join forces with the National Crime Prevention Council to help improve the safety and security of your home with smart, simple solutions.  

You don’t have to completely overhaul your home to ensure your family is safe and secure. Here are five simple ways you can improve your home’s safety today:
 
1.    Make sure you have effective locks that are being used. Remember that not all locks are created equal. For maximum protection, choose high security locks. For example, SmartKey® deadbolts by Kwikset have been rated a Consumer Reports “Best Buy” and feature BumpGuard technology that protects against lock bumping, drilling and picking. Even the best locks can’t protect you if you don’t use them.
2.    Do some yard work before you leave the house for an extended period of time.  Trim your hedges and bushes so thieves won’t have a chance to hide out, and you won’t give the impression your home has been left unattended and vacant.
3.    Remember to secure your spare. Leave your spare key with a trusted neighbor. Never hide it on the property. Keyless entry locks such as Kwikset SmartCode are also a great option. Burglars have more experience looking for keys than you do hiding them.
4.    Let there be light. Be sure all outside entrances of the home are well lit.  A timer or solar-powered light on the front, back and side of the house make it difficult for burglars to hide.
5.    Keep status updates safe. Think twice before posting upcoming vacations on Facebook, Twitter or any other social media outlet.  You’d be surprised how fast information can travel on the information highway—and sometimes to the wrong computer screen. Instead, use the power of wireless technology to protect your home with safety innovations like Kwikset SmartCode with Home Connect™ Technology, to monitor who enters and exits your home right from your smartphone or secure internet connection.

For more information about products and security solutions for your home visit kwikset.com.