Postby NorStar2K » August 10th, 2006, 6:30 pm
3N2NR Crime Prevention Tips list
1. Don't park with engine running and exit the vehicle even for a short time. Your vehicle and remaining occupants become targets!
2. Be aware in shops, bars and fast food outlets.
3. Don't walk with more than you really need - Wallet with $1000 and 5 credit cards to buy KFC?
4. Don't use ATMs after hours unless absolutely necessary. Plan your 'money' needs for the week, etc.
5. Try to avoid cell use in public areas. If you are distracted on the phone you become an obvious target for a mugging.
6. Practice reverse parking.
7. Be careful in public washrooms, especially you kids. Predators lurk in these areas.
8. Don't carry too many bags at once, it reduces your ability to 'fight back' if assaulted.
9. Leave the 'bling' at home when using public transport.
10. Laptop bags should be locked in your truck and not left on the back-seat. Many vehicles are broken into and laptops stolen. Sometimes the bags don't even have laptops in them.
11. Be ready to stop and/or put in reverse at anytime, especially going through neighbourhood streets. I had to do some quick reverse driving and evasive maneuvers recently, I will say no more on this one, except that a police escort was eventually required.
12. Learn all the back roads and alternative routes in your area.
13. Get to know Trinidad and Tobago. I you are "chosen" you can probably catch your bearings and send a message and identify a landmark or key location.
14. Fix your A/C Bandits will snatch your valuables from you sitting in your car (lost my great grandmother's gold bera this way... a family heirloom from the 1800s) even if you have big stickers that say GOD IS LOVE The point here is to keep your windows up in known theft-prone locations. In any case I know priests who have been robbed at gunpoint. At least I get lots of "thumbs up" from all sorts of people and they point at the stickers in traffic etc.
15. Keep your cell phone charged.
16. Get Car Search/Datadot or jump on tuner as soon as your car is stolen.
17. Learn Krav Maga or some sort of self defense.
18. Make it a habit to fast every now and again, you never know when your stomach may need to get used to it.
19. Learn to use the sun to figure out the time of day and the direction you are headed, needless to say you should rest around midday. This has helped me many a time in the US to realise I was heading the WRONG way across town sans map or GPS.
20. Always secure your most valuable personal items. I lost a pouch containing toiletires and US cash in less then one minute in a cafe in the US after walking out without it and promptly walking back in to collect it.
21. Make the time to drive around in new surroundings and get to know some people. Old people tend to make a point of this while younger ones wonder what's the point. If people know you they tend to act in cases of emergency.
22. Learn about your car I can't stress this one enough. Should be obvious here as to why.
23. Invest in some tools You never know what can happen in the middle of nowhere.
24. Stay in touch with loved ones.
25. Meet a few police officers/ law enforcement people. Find a way other than the "wrong" or the "hard" way. A simple introduction can help you in a very simple way e.g. giving a report for the first time. Generally, be confident and get to know people.
26. Even if you do lots of good in society always keep your wits about you. Never become complacent towards the risk of life today.
27. Stay in groups if possible when travelling, especially females
28. When parking vehicle in any mall, look around as soon as you exit and mark any security locations/guards within the compound. Be just as alert when returning.
29. If you think you are being followed: drive to the nearest police station or well lit place
30. Make sure if you are out , that someone knows that and what time you are expected back
31. Make sure that you and yr neighbours "pull" so that if they see something or someone starngle that they will report it to whomever.
32. Cell Phones are extremely cheap and affordable now. Keep a extra handset or two with a car charger in your vehicle with all possible emergency contacts - friends & family in the phonebook.. Remember ICE - In Case of Emergency!
33. Stop at a safe distance away from the car in front of you, especially at night-time/deserted areas, so you have room to manouever out if there are any suspicious occurences.
34. At night-time, try to time a red light as you approach it, i.e. slow down from a good distance away so you spend less time stopped at the light, or preferably none at all
35. Avoid leaving sensitive documents in your car such as payslips, bank statements, etc. If your car is broken into, you do not want these to fall into evil hands
36. Shred sensitive documents if you are discarding them
37. Walk confidently to or from your car with your keys held ready to open the door or to be used to defend yourself.
38. Check the back seat or hatch for intruders before getting to your car.
39. Once inside, lock all doors and if possible leave windows up until you have
reached your destination.
40. If a passing motorist indicates that you should stop, keep driving to a service
station. If you decide to stop, stay in the car with the doors locked and the
window partly open to speak through. Drive away if you feel threatened.
41. Vary your route if making regular journeys.
42. Avoid unlit streets at night.
43. DO NOT....carry a bag that makes you a target. A bag that dangles from the shoulder can be easily yanked off your shoulder by someone coming up from behind.
44. DO NOT....carry your bag in such a manner that you can't let it go if you have to. Many women have been injured because their own bags acted as handcuffs as a purse snatcher yanked it away.
45. DO....be aware of your surroundings and carry your bag close to your body, tucked in the bend of your elbow.
46. IF...you are the victim of a purse snatch do not fight to hold onto your bag, especially if there is a weapon involved.
47. Avoid shortcuts that are not well travelled or well lit.
48. Know what reputable stores are open in your neighborhood late at night. If you suspect that you are being followed stay away from lonely quiet blocks and head for the store you know to be open.
49. When walking to your car or on your way home, keep your keys in your hand until you are safely inside for added protection.
50. If someone drops you off at home by auto, ask the driver to wait until you are safely inside.
51. If a motorist bothers you while you are walking turn around and walk in the opposite direction of the car. Do this as often as necessary and he should get discouraged.
52. Ladies, when walking in groups especially in public places be aware of your surroundings. Don't allow yourselves to be distracted, you can just as easily make yourselves a target. Don't bring attention to yourselves.
53. Don't give anyone your ATM card, e.g. don’t accept requests from someone to borrow your card to open the ATM access door. Security guards are provided during the day to help you if you can't get into the ATM. If it’s in the night LEAVE.
54. Wear comfortable shoes, you never know when you might have to make a run for it.
55. Be careful of whom you allow into your home, e.g. your sister's boyfriend, no matter how good you and him are.
56. Those with children, know who your children go out with (personally), when they go out and come back, and where they are going. Never take anything for granted.
57. If your child (within reasonable maturity and age) asks for a cellphone (just to be like the others or as a fashion statement) this may not be a bad idea as it allows you to check up on him/her for their safety.
58. When going out, always tell someone OR leave a written itinerary (where it can easily be found.. just in case) of where/who you'll be with.. even if you are not sure, approximate times.
59. Always keep your drink in hand or in sight at all times while at pubs or parties.
60. Ladies, do NOT accept drinks from strangers (women or men) at parties.
61. When going out or returning home at night call ahead and stay on the cell (when possible) until you are safely inside. (women especially)
62. Sign up for roadside assisstance, it may very well save your life.
63. Educate your children on certain action they can take in unfortunate scenarios; numbers they can dial, etc.
64. Try to keep some type of personal alarm device on you at all times.
65. At home, keep your cellphone in your bedroom at night in case your landline is cut.
66. When going to beach houses or down the islands, please try to take all the same precautions you would take at your regular residences, as "pirates" now plague our waters.
67. If being carjacked, your car alarm is there for a purpose. Don't hesitate to use the Panic button to attract attention.
Attachment 'A': Emergency Services Contact listing (see below)
Attachment 'B': Rape Crisis Victim Response guide (see below)
Last edited by
NorStar2K on August 11th, 2006, 2:15 pm, edited 5 times in total.
