Preventing and Reporting Crime
Crime is something that almost everyone worries about. As an effective citizen, you can help fight crime by learning how to protect yourself. This means knowing both how to prevent crime and what to do if you are ever a victim of crime.
Remember that reporting crime helps to prevent others from becoming victims in the future.
To reduce the risk of crime, be sure to take the following steps:
- Report suspicious activity to the police. The police cannot help if you do not call them.
- Always lock doors and windows. You can prevent many burglaries by locking up! Also, when at home, do not open the door unless you know who is outside. Cancel newspaper subscriptions and the mail when on vacation. Do not enter your home if you think someone has broken in. Instead, call police from a neighbor’s house.
- Be alert in high – crime areas such as dark, deserted streets and parking lots.
- Use the “buddy system” Criminals are less likely to target pairs or groups of people.
- Do not flash money in public.
- If you witness a crime or have been victimized, stay calm and call the police.
- Try to provide police with as much information as possible. If you can, write down the details of the situation as well as a description of the suspect.
- You may be ask to file a complaint or to testify in court. Helping the police will assist them in preventing the criminal from commiting additional crimes in the future.
Crimes of identity theft and consumer fraud are also significance and growing problems.
IF YOU BECOME A VICTIM
There are two different views on what to do if you believe you are about to become a victim of a crime. The first theory is that you should not fight back. For property crimes, for example, many believe you should give up the property without objection to reduce your risk or injury. The second theory is that you should resist the assailant.
Many advocate learning self defense techniques to protect yourself in the event of a personal crime. Which course should you follow. Every situation is unique, but yoru safety should always come first. If you choose to fight back against the assailant, be prepared to risk injury. Know your own limitations. Not everyone has the strength or size to fight back successfully. If the assailant has a weapon, you should assume it is going to be used.
As a general rule, criminals do not want an audience. If you are able to scream or blow a whistle, do so if you know you will be heard. If you cannot run away, sit down so you will not get knocked down. Finally call the police as soon as you can. Do not wait! The longer you wait, the more likely it is the criminal will get away.
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