Keep your doors and windows locked.
Too often, criminals get into homes through unlocked doors
and windows.
Consider installing solid core entry
doors with reinforced door frames and dead bolt locks.
Identify a "safe room" inside
the home where residents can go in an emergency. This
room should have reinforced doors, an exit to the outside
and a telephone.
Always verify by telephone that the
person works for the company they say they represent and
has been sent for a reason. A peephole with a 180 degree
viewing angle is excellent for you to verify who is on
the other side of your door.
Never open your door to anyone you do
not know. Exterior lighting provides additional protection
from intruders. Remember that criminals may hide in shadows.
Always acknowledge a caller at your
door to determine who they are and what they want. Some
burglars ring the door bell, and if there is no answer,
they break in.
Have family discussions to prepare all
members of your family to become thoroughly familiar with
your home safety plan. Mentally review as often as possible
the actions you must perform if confronted with an emergency.
The plan should become "second nature" to you.
Be Informed -- Be Prepared.
Home Robbery Tips / After the Robbery
Call the police immediately after the
robbery. The person who calls the police should be able
to stay on the phone if the dispatcher requests.
Lock all doors and ask all witnesses to
remain until the officers arrive. If a witness must leave,
obtain his or her name, address and telephone number.
All witnesses should write down a description
of all the suspects. Do not discuss the robbery or compare
notes about the robber's appearance with anyone.
Protect the crime scene. Do not touch anything.
If the robbers touched anything while in
your house, please do not allow anyone to handle it, if
needed, put in a safe place to give to police. This may
be an important piece of evidence.
Vehicle Safety
Park in a well lighted area so
you can see your car and the surroundings from as far
away as possible.
Have your car key ready before
you approach the car so that you can make your entry into
the vehicle as quickly as possible. When you are looking
for your keys, you may be distracted from what is going
on around you.
Glance into the back seat and
floor boards of your car before you enter and check for
anyone who may be hiding inside. This is particularly
important if you drive a van type vehicle.
Always lock all doors whether
you are in or out of your car. Keep the windows rolled
up enough so an arm cannot be inserted through the opening
If you think you are being followed,
do not go home. Go to a safe place such as a police station,
fire station, business or other populated area.
Robbery Prevention for Businesses
Be Observant
Employees and employers should remain
alert and observant.
Several things to watch for:
Suspicious persons or vehicles around
the business, especially at opening and closing time.
People wearing inappropriate clothing
for the weather, such as heavy coats during warm weather.
Have a plan.
Have regular safety meetings to develop
and discuss your "plan". Some of the elements
of a good plan include:
Employee demeanor during a robbery (do
not resist)
How to notify the police
An escape route
How to obtain a suspect description
How to obtain a vehicle description
and license plate number
Have prearranged signals between employees
How to activate alarms
When not to activate an alarm
Mentally review as often as possible
the actions you must perform if confronted with an emergency.
The plan should become "second nature" to you.
Physical Deterrents
Always keep the inside of your business
well lighted, especially the entrances and exits.
The cash register should be visible from
outside the store. A clear view to the register from the
street or parking lot assists police officers to see inside
as they patrol the area. If the windows are blocked they
can not see in.
Mark the edge of the main doorway with
measuring tape. This will help in obtaining a more accurate
height of the robber.
Keep cash at a minimum, and post notices
in the doorway of this fact.
Periodically test video surveillance equipment
to verify it is in proper working order.
Consider the installation of video cameras
or alarm systems.
Bank Deposit Procedures
Do not advertise that you are carrying
the bank deposit.
Avoid wearing name tags or clothing advertising
your business when you are carrying the deposit.
Make deposits during the daylight hours.
Go directly to the bank. Do not make other
stops along the way. Do not take the same route to the bank
each time you go and do not go at the same time each day.
Two employees should make the deposit
Never leave a deposit unattended in
the vehicle
Keep doors of the vehicle locked when
carrying deposits
Be alert to any vehicle that may be
following you to the bank
Conceal the cash when transferring it
from the vehicle to the bank. Don't carry a money bag
in view of anyone
If you go to the bank and pick up cash,
then follow these precautions for your return to your
business.
Opening and Closing Procedures
Two employees should open and close the
business.
Before opening the business, one employee
should check outside areas for possible break-ins. Also
look to see that there are no suspicious persons hanging
around. Garbage dumpsters are prime places where robbers
hide, awaiting your arrival. Also note suspicious vehicles.
When closing, check all areas inside for
possible persons hiding in the business.
Keep a spare key in a prearranged room,
in case an employee is locked inside after a robbery. Keep
a phone hidden for such an emergency.
Do not admit customers after store hours.
Keep the telephone number of your police
department near the phone.
Be aware that sometimes merchants are followed
back to their businesses or to their homes by robbers. Certain
safety precautions should be followed regarding vehicles
and home safety. Do not always travel the same routes to
and from work. Be observant and check often to see if you
are followed.
Know where police stations and fire stations
are in your area. These locations are places of safety should
you suspect that you are being followed.
Write down the license plate number of
any suspicious vehicles. It is better to throw it away because
you don't need it, than to wish you had it.
Business Robbery Tips / During
the Robbery REMAIN CALM. DO NOT RESIST.
Do not try to be a hero. Take no action
that would jeopardize your own safety.
Follow the robber's directions, but
do not volunteer more than he asks for.
Advise the robber of any unusual moves
you must make. Assure him you will cooperate.
If the robber used a hold-up note, try
to retain it, and handle it as little as possible.
If possible, activate the alarm only
if you can do so safely without detection.
Attempt to alert other employees by
use of prearranged signals, but only if safe to do so.
MAKE MENTAL NOTES -- Make a mental note
of the robber's race, age, height sex, clothing, complexion,
color of hair and eyes, etc. Note anything unusual about
the robber, such as scars or tattoos.
Note the number of accomplices and how
they left the premises, direction of travel, type and
color of the car and the license number.
Note type, size and color of the weapon.
Watch where the robber puts his
or her hands or whether he or she touches anything. Fingerprints
might be left behind.
Business Robbery Tips - After the
Robbery
Call the police immediately after the
robbery. The person who calls the police should be able
to stay on the phone if the dispatcher requests that he
do so.
Lock all doors and ask all witnesses
to remain until the officers arrive. If a witness must
leave, obtain his or her name, address and telephone number.
All witnesses should write down a description
of all the suspects. Do not discuss the robbery or compare
notes about the robber's appearance with anyone.
Protect the crime scene. Do not touch
anything.
If your were given a note by the robber,
handle it carefully. Hold it by the edges so that any
fingerprints that may be on the paper will not be smeared.
Put it in a safe place and keep it for the police. This
is an important piece of evidence.
Be Prepared
Actively participate in all training
sessions offered to become thoroughly familiar with company
policies and procedures.
Have a plan.
Mentally review as often as possible
the actions you take if confronted with an emergency so
that it becomes "second nature" to you.
