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911 System
The 911 telephone system is
standard nationwide to enable callers to reach
emergency services by phone with a minimum of
difficulty. If you have an emergency involving
the safety of life or property, you are
encouraged to make use of the system. In most
areas, you may dial 911 from a pay phone without
the need for coins. If your area has enhanced
911 with automatic number identification and
automatic location identification, your name,
address and telephone number will be displayed
on a screen at the 911 operator's position when
the connection is made. Help can be dispatched
to your location even if you don't get a chance
to say a word!
BURGLARY
If you arrive at your home
or business and feel that it has been
burglarized, DO NOT ENTER, but go to another
location and call the police. Let the police
search the property to make sure that no suspect
is still present. Upon entering your home or
business, do not touch things unnecessarily as
you may disturb or destroy fingerprint and other
evidence. Inform the police of anything that has
been moved from its original position so that it
can be checked for prints. Notify the police if
you find anything that is not yours that may
have been left behind by the burglar such as
tools, clothing, etc. (Driver's licenses and
other identification have been left behind by
burglars before!) Be prepared to provide the
police with serial numbers and a complete
description of all missing property. Tell the
police if you have engraved any of the items
with your driver's license or
other personalized number.
ROBBERY
You've heard it before and
now here it is again: Never resist if you are
the victim of a robbery. Do exactly as you are
told to do in order to minimize your chances of
being injured and to speed the departure of your
assailant before he gets other ideas. The
assailant, in most cases, doesn't want to hang
around much longer than you want him to. Your
money and other valuables can hopefully be
replaced. If they can't be replaced don't let
that thought cause you to hesitate. You
certainly cannot be replaced. Try to obtain a
good description of the suspect(s) and the
direction and mode (on foot, vehicle) of escape.
It's always a good idea to have a second bill
fold with a few dollars and a few important
looking cards in it to give to an attacker
should the need arise. Keep your real cash and
cards in an interior pocket not easily
accessible by the robber. However, do not resist
any attempt the attacker may make to search your
pockets or belongings.
CON GAMES
The object of any con game
is to cause you to part with your money or other
thing of value. Most con games are initiated by
people who approach you on the street or call on
you at your home. Be suspicious of ANY plan,
idea, scheme, business deal or whatever that
requires you to part with your money on short
notice. If you feel you have been the victim of
a con game or an illegal business practice,
notify the police. Do not be embarrassed or
hesitant to tell the authorities for fear of
ridicule. The sooner you notify the police the
greater your chances of recovering your
property. You may not be the only victim of
whatever group is operating, and your statements
and those of other victims may help in
apprehending the suspects.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT
If you are involved in a
traffic accident and the other driver leaves the
scene, immediately try to see and remember or
record the license plate number and description
of the vehicle and the driver. You may only have
a few seconds to do this. Also try to notice
where the damage is located on their vehicle. If
you can SAFELY do so, and your vehicle is not
disabled, and no one can do it for you, CONSIDER
follow the suspect for a short distance to get
the license plate number if you were not able to
get it at the scene. The suspect will probably
be exceeding the speed limit so do not get
involved in anything resembling a pursuit! Don't
compound the problem by committing traffic
violations and causing another accident for
which you may be held responsible. If you cannot
get the information in a short distance, return
to the scene and notify the police. If other
motorists are nearby, try to find a volunteer to
follow the suspect to get the license number.
Ask witnesses to remain or at least to leave
their name and address and a written description
of the suspect vehicle and driver.
Be suspicious of drivers who
stop following the accident and ask you to
accept money not to call the police or offer to
pay you a small amount to "settle" the
matter. This should alert you to immediately
start recording important information quickly
(license plate, etc.) These drivers may decide
to leave quickly and probably have outstanding
warrants or no insurance.
Contact a crime prevention
officer at your local law enforcement agency.
They will provide you with the latest
information on crime prevention. Ask about an a
free survey of your home or business and a
standard program to loan out engraving tools. If
so, borrow one and mark your valuables with your
driver's license number or whatever number they
recommend.
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