>> Top 10 Crime Prevention Tips of 2006 (12/06)

mink_web_3 A Message from Sheriff Ted Mink

1. Don?t Assume Your Stuff is Safe in Your Driveway or Garage. All too often, deputies respond to homes in nice, quiet residential areas where items have been stolen from an unlocked car or an open garage. It only takes seconds to access these areas and steal valuables: bikes, golf clubs, laptops and iPods. Most of these opportunity crimes can be prevented by keeping garages closed and cars locked. And if you leave your keys in your car ? even in your own driveway or garage ? you could easily lose your car too.

2. Teach Your Kids to Check First. Charlie Check-First is a children?s safety mascot who reminds children, ?Check first before you go anywhere with anyone. If you cannot check, the answer is no.? Charlie teaches children how to deal with adults who may try to hurt them. To learn more about the Sheriff?s Office Charlie Check-First child safety program, call 303-271-5665.

3. Don?t Engage in Rage. If you come across an aggressive driver, don?t get sucked into road rage. Remove yourself from the situation by allowing the driver to pass. Don?t exchange words, gestures or maneuvers. If you are unable to defuse the situation, call 911, but don?t continue to follow the driver.

4. Don?t Place Outgoing Mail in Your Mailbox. Take it to the post office. Identity thieves often cruise neighborhoods looking for incoming and outgoing mail in mailboxes. Checks can be ?washed? and used to steal your identity or money.

5. Don?t Share Too Much in Online Profiles. Whether it?s a social networking site, dating site, or a personal homepage, don?t share too much personal information. A stranger can use information such as your full name, where you work, the name of your school, or even your school mascot to identify you. Parents, monitor your teens? online profiles and educate them on the dangers of sharing too much online.

6. Report Suspicious Activity. Trust your instincts. If something doesn?t seem right in your neighborhood or your school, it probably isn?t. Reporting suspicious activities might help the Sheriff?s Office identify a suspect or a crime trend. For activities in progress, call 911. Otherwise, call the Sheriff?s Office main number at 303-277-0211, or the Crime Prevention Hotline at 720-377-2190. Students can also use the statewide Safe-2-Tell hotline to anonymously report any safety issues at school: 1-877-542-7233.

7. Don?t Stuff That Purse Under the Seat. It?s always a good idea to conceal valuables you may have in your car. But there are criminals who target areas like fitness centers and shopping centers, watching from the parking lot as people take pains to hide their belongings in the car before going inside. If you can, keep valuables in the trunk or take them with you when you leave your vehicle.

8. Lock the Doors and Windows, Even When You?re Home. Burglars don?t often think strategically about how to access your home; they often take the path of least resistance. If your doors or windows are unlocked and they can easily get inside, they will. If they can?t, they?ll move on to another house.

9. Protect Your Account Information. Do not give your credit card or bank information to anyone contacting you via e-mail or phone. Your own bank or card company will never contact you and ask you to provide account information. Once a year, run a credit check to be sure you haven?t become the victim of an identity thief.

10. Start or Join a Neighborhood Watch Group. Neighborhood Watch can benefit you and your neighbors by helping to increase awareness and reduce crime. Contact Crime Prevention at 303-271-5363 (north/mountains) or 720-377-2002 (south Jeffco). For more, visit www.jeffcosheriff.com.

Message From the Sheriff Archive

Last Modified: Mar 28, 2009 10:17 PM