|
Back To Consumer Index
Back To Main Index
What To Do When You're A Crime Victim
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 billfold 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. Do not
resist any attempt the attacker may make to search your pockets,
however.
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 his vehicle. If you can
SAFELY do so, and your vehicle is not disabled, and no one can do
it for you, 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 do stop following the accident but
ask you or offer you money not to call the police. This should
alert you to immediately start recording license plate and other
information. These drivers may decide to leave quickly.
Contact a crime prevention specialist at your local law
enforcement agency. They will provide you with the latest
information on crime prevention. Ask about an on-site crime
prevention survey of your home or business. Also ask if your
agency has a program to loan out engraving tools. If so, borrow
one and mark your valuables with your driver's license number or
whatever number your agency recommends.
Back To
Consumer Index Back To Main Index |
|