>> Safe Travels This Summer (05/2008)

Behind the Badge: A Message from Sheriff Ted Mink

Summer marks the start of travel season for many families.  Whether you're jet-setting off to Paris or sightseeing at the Grand Canyon, here are some tips for safe travels.

Before You Go
Remove excess cards and documents from your wallet or purse, and only take the bare essentials with you.  If your wallet is stolen, you'll know exactly what's gone and can make fewer calls to alert your creditors.

Make two copies each of your passport, driver's license and travel documents.  Take a set with you on your trip, but keep it separate from the originals.  Leave the second set with a trusted friend or relative at home so that they can help you from a distance if necessary. 

As another option, consider sending yourself an e-mail using a Web-based system, like gmail or Hotmail, with scans of your passport and driver's license, important phone numbers, and flight information.  Most towns have internet cafes where you can access the Web to retrieve the information.  When you return from your trip, simply delete the e-mail.

If flying, pack valuables and medications in carry-on bags only, in case checked bags are lost in transit.

At Your Destination
Whether you're staying in a posh resort or a hostel, store your valuables safely.  Keep essential items like your passport, identification and credit cards on your person at all times, or locked in a safe in your room. 

Avoid carrying a purse.  Put your cash and credit card or traveler's checks in a front pants pocket.  This will make the items harder to pickpocket.  Consider purchasing a traveler's belt that you can wear under your clothes to hide small items.

When traveling alone, make sure someone knows where you are going, and when you should get there.  Check in with them periodically.  If you become hurt or lost in an area with no cell phone coverage, this person may be the only one who can alert authorities.

Traveling with Children
Take a digital picture of your family together at the start of the day.  If someone gets lost, you'll have the pictures to show what they look like and what they are wearing.  Take a spare child ID kit for each child with a photo and fingerprints just in case. 

On the Home Front
Be sure that a friend or family member here knows how to reach you while you're gone.  If something happens here, it may be important to find you.

You can also contact the Jefferson County Sheriff's Office and request a vacation check on your home by calling 303-277-0211.  Deputies can make an effort to do extra patrols, and will know how to reach you if there's a problem at your house.

Neighborhood Watch
If you and your neighbors do not participate in Neighborhood Watch, consider starting a watch group well in advance of your planned vacation.  Through Neighborhood Watch, residents partner with law enforcement to identify, prevent and solve crime in residential neighborhoods.  While you're gone, your neighbors can keep an eye out for suspicious activity, and you can do the same for them.  To start a Neighborhood Watch group in your area, or to learn more, contact your local crime prevention deputy: 720-377-2002 (south Jeffco), 303-271-5363 (north Jeffco), 303-670-8125 (mountains).

Behind the Badge Archive

Last Modified: May 20, 2009 04:29 PM