Crime Prevention and Reduction: A Community Guide for Safety, Lecture notes of Law

Download Crime Prevention and Reduction: A Community Guide for Safety and more Lecture notes Law in PDF only on Docsity! Definition of Crime Prevention According to the Community Crime Prevention Guide, in its purest form, crime prevention looks at people who are not involved in criminal activity and asks, "What can we do to make sure they never come into conflict with the law?" Crime prevention also looks at places and situations which are not yet troubled by much criminal activity and asks, "How can we make sure crime never becomes a significant problem here?" Definition of Crime Reduction The perspective or starting point for crime reduction is people, places or situations already known for criminal activity. This can be a group of offenders who have racked up a long record of assaults and robbery. It might be a residential neighborhood that has been plagued by break- ins. It could be a situation, such as out-of-control house parties where the peace is disturbed and underage drinking and sexual exploitation may take place. Crime reduction starts with assessing the current problem and developing strategies to decrease the amount of criminal activity, or minimize the harm it causes. The definition of crime reduction is the attempt to reduce victimization and to deter crime and criminals. It is applied specifically to efforts made by the police and/or citizens to reduce crime, enforce the law, and maintain criminal justice. Simply stated, an individual, by avoiding areas that are well known for high criminal activity is reducing their chances for victimization and, in turn, is taking an active role in crime reduction. It is important to be aware a crime can occur anywhere at any time. Therefore, this crime prevention manual is provided in order to assist our citizenry to become more aware of many common sense techniques that may help reduce crime in Canton’s neighborhoods. Furthermore, the use of instinct, knowledge, common sense, and awareness can make you a tough target. Three Basic Rules 1. Stay alert. 2. Keep your mind on your surroundings, “who’s in front of you and who’s behind you.” 3. Don’t get distracted. Walk purposefully, stand tall, and make eye contact with people around you. TRUST YOUR INSTINCTS. If you feel uncomfortable in a situation, leave. Personal Protection.  Make yourself a "tough target." Don’t think that it can’t happen to you. Should you resist? Everyone and every situation is different. Always be aware of your surroundings. If being followed or stalked, call 911 or drive directly to a police station.  If you’re attacked, keep your head. Stay as calm as possible and evaluate your options and resources. It may be more advisable to submit than to resist and risk severe injury or death. You will have to make this decision based on the circumstances. But, don’t resist if the attacker has a weapon.  Keep assessing the situation as it is happening. If one strategy doesn’t work, try another. Possible options include negotiating, stalling for time, distracting the assailant and fleeing to a safe place, verbal assertiveness, screaming, and physical resistance. You may be able to turn the attacker off with unusual behavior such as throwing up, acting crazy, or stating you have a sexually transmitted disease.  After a Sexual Assault, Go to a safe place and call the police. The sooner you report the crime, the greater the chances your attacker will be caught.  DO NOT shower, bathe, douche, or destroy any clothing you were wearing. Do not disturb any physical evidence. Go to a hospital emergency room for medical care. Call someone to be with you. You should not be alone. Contact a rape treatment or crisis center to help you deal with the consequences of the assault. While Driving.  Keep your car in good condition with the gas tank at least half full.  Park in well-lighted areas and lock your doors, no matter how long you’ll be gone.  Put valuables out of sight or in the trunk.  Check front and rear seats and floorboards before entering your car.  Drive with all doors locked and windows rolled up.  Never pick up hitchhikers.  If your car breaks down, put the hood up, lock the doors, turn on the flashers, and move to the passenger seat. Do not leave your car. If someone stops to help, roll down the window slightly and ask them to call the police or a tow truck.  Avoid underground and enclosed parking garages if possible.  When parking or returning to your vehicle, carry your keys and be aware of your surroundings.  Consider investing in a cellular telephone. Public Transportation.  Try to use well-lighted and frequently used stops.  Try to sit near the driver or conductor.  Avoid sitting near exits. An attacker can reach in and grab a purse or jewelry as the bus or subway pulls away.  Be alert to who gets off the bus or subway with you.  If you feel uncomfortable, walk directly to a place where there are other people. GUN SAFETY  Gun Safety is the responsibility of every adult, whether or not you own a firearm.  If you own a firearm and obtain a concealed weapons permit, you are required by Ohio law to know that there are "Pistol Free" zones in Ohio. It is illegal to carry a pistol on school property, into public or private day care centers, sports arenas, churches, hospitals, casinos, a dormitory, or classroom of a college or university, an entertainment facility that seats 2,500 people or more, and a dining room, lounge, or bar area of a premise licensed under the Liquor Control Commission.  As an adult, you are responsible for properly securing your firearm. If another person is injured as a result of your negligence in properly securing a gun, you can be charged with a crime or be held civilly liable. If convicted, you could be fined or sentenced to time in prison. What Your Children Need to Know  Children should know that guns are not toys, that guns are dangerous and can hurt people.  If they see or find a gun (even if they think the gun looks like a toy), they should follow these three steps to safety: 1. They should not touch or handle the gun. 2. They should get away from the gun quickly, leave the area. 3. They should immediately tell a trusted adult (parent, guardian, teacher or police officer) about the gun.  It is illegal to bring weapons to school, onto school property, or into vehicles used by a school to transport students to and from school property. Ohio law requires schools to expel students who bring weapons onto school grounds or to school events Home Security Checklist Use this as a guide as you check your home for safety measures. These are just some steps that you can take to decrease the likelihood that you or your home is targeted for a crime. Exterior Doors:  All doors are locked at night and every time we leave the house - even if it's just for a few minutes.  Doors are solid hardwood or metal-clad.  Doors feature wide-angle peepholes at heights everyone can use.  If there are glass panels in or near our doors, they are reinforced in some way so that they cannot be shattered.  All entryways have a working, keyed entry lock and sturdy deadbolt lock installed into the frame of the door.  Spare keys are kept with a trusted neighbor, not under a doormat or planter, on a ledge, or in the mailbox. Garage and Sliding Door:  The door leading into the home from the garage is solid wood or metal-clad and protected with a quality keyed door lock and deadbolt.  The overhead garage door has a lock so that we do not rely solely on the automatic garage door opener to provide security.  Garage doors are all locked when leaving the house.  The sliding glass door has a strong, working key lock. A dowel or a pin to secure the sliding glass door has been installed to prevent the door from being shoved aside or lifted off the track.  The sliding glass door is locked every night and each time you leave the house. Protecting Windows:  Every window in the home has a working lock or is securely pinned.  Windows are always locked, even when they are opened a few inches for ventilation. Outdoor Security:  Shrubs / bushes are trimmed to so there is no place for someone to hide.  There are no dark areas around our house, garage, or yard at night that would hide prowlers.  Every outside door has a bright, working light to illuminate visitors.  Floodlights are used appropriately to ensure effective illumination.  Outdoor lights are on in the evening whether someone is at home or not; or a photocell or motion-sensitive lighting system has been installed.  House numbers should be clearly displayed so police and other emergency vehicles can find the house quickly. Security When Away From Home:  At least two light timers have been set to turn the lights on and off in a logical sequence when you are away from home for an extended time period.  The motion detector or other alarm system (if you have one) has been activated when leaving home.  Mail and newspaper deliveries have been stopped or arrangements for a neighbor/friend to pick them up have been made when going away from home for an extended period of time.  A neighbor has been asked to tend the yard and watch the home when you are away. Outdoor Valuables and Personal Property:  Gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are all locked with high-security, laminated padlocks.  Gate latches, garage doors, and shed doors are locked after every use.  Grills, lawn mowers, and other valuables are stored in a locked garage or shed, or if left out in the open, are hidden from view with a tarp and securely locked to a stationary point.  Every bicycle is secured with a U-bar lock or quality padlock and chain. Bikes are always locked, even if left for just a minute.  Firearms are stored unloaded and locked in storage boxes and secured with trigger guard locks.  Valuable items, such as television, stereos, and computers have been inscribed with identifying number approved by local police.  A home inventory is up-to-date and includes pictures. A complete copy is kept somewhere out of the house. _____________________________________________________________________________ At Home Alone: A Parent's Guide Your ten-year-old comes home from school at 3:00, but you don't get home from work until 5:00. He's at home alone for those two hours every weekday. What does he do until you arrive? Most likely, he gets a snack or talks on the phone. Maybe he watched TV. But since you're not there, you worry. Just like the majority of American parents who work and have to leave their children on their own after school every day, you are anxious about your child's safety. By following the safeguards listed below, you can help ease some of this worry and take measures that will protect your kids even when you're not around. What You Can Do  Make sure your children are old enough and mature enough to care for themselves. Teach them the basic safety rules. Know the three "W's":  Where your kids are,  What they're doing, and  Who they're with.  Can your children be trusted to go straight home after school?  Easily use the telephone, locks, and kitchen appliances?  Following rules and instructions well?  Handle unexpected situations without panicking?  Stay alone without being afraid?  Are there things you don't want your children to get into? Take the time to talk to them about the deadly consequences of guns, medicines, power tools, drugs, alcohol, cleaning products, and inhalants. Make sure you keep these items in a secure place out of sight and locked up, if possible. Children who stay “home alone” should be able to perform the following:  To check in with you or a neighbor immediately after arriving home.  How to call 9-1-1, or your area's emergency number, or call the operator.  How to give directions to your home, in case of emergency.  To never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well.  How to use the door and window locks, and the alarm system if you have one.  To never let anyone into your home without asking your permission.  To never let a caller at the door or on the phone know that they're alone. Teach them to say "Dad can't come to the phone (or door) right now."  To carry a house key with them in a safe place (inside a shirt pocket or sock). Don't leave it under the mat or on a ledge outside the house.  How to escape in case of fire.  To not go into an empty house or apartment if things don't look right (a broken window, ripped screen, or opened door).  To let you know about anything that frightens them or makes them feel uncomfortable. Take a Stand  Work with schools, religious institutions, libraries, recreational and community center, and local youth organizations to create program that give children ages 10 and older a place to go and something to do after school, a "homework haven", with sports, crafts, classes and tutoring.  Don't forget that kids of this age can also get involved in their communities.  Help them design and carry out an improvement project!  Ask your workplace to sponsor a Survival Skills class for employees' children. You can kick it off with a parent breakfast or lunch.  Ask your community to develop a homework hotline latchkey kids can call for help or just to talk.  Join or start a McGruff House or other block parent program in your community to offer children help in emergencies or frightening situations. _________________________________________________________________________ Safer Seniors As people grow older, their chances of being victims of crime decrease dramatically. But a lifetime of experience coupled with the physical problems associated with aging often makes older Americans fearful and trapped in their own homes. Though they're on the lookout constantly for physical attack and burglary, they're not as alert to frauds and con games. In reality, the greatest crime threat to seniors' well being and trust. Want to conquer fear and prevent crime? Take these common-sense precautions. Be Alert When Out and About  Go with friends or family, not alone.  Carry your purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.  Put a wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket.  Don't carry credit cards you don't need or large amounts of cash.  Use direct deposit for Social Security and other regular checks.  Keep car doors locked, whether you're a passenger or driver.  Be particularly alert in parking lots and garages.  Park near an entrance.  Sit close to the driver or near the exit while riding the bus, train, or subway.  If someone or something makes you uneasy, trust your instincts and leave. Make Your Home Safe and Secure  Install good locks on doors and windows and use them.  Don't hide keys in mailboxes and planters or under doormats. Instead, leave an extra set of keys with a neighbor or friend.  Ask for photo identification from service or delivery people before letting them in the door.  If you are the least bit worried, call the company to verify.  Be sure your street address number is large, clear of obstruction, and well-lighted so police and other emergency personnel can find your home quickly.  Consider a home alarm system that provides emergency monitoring for burglary, fire, and medical emergencies. Watch Out for Con Artists  Don't fall for anything that sounds too good to be true — a free vacation; sweepstakes prizes; cures for cancer and arthritis; a low-risk, high-yield investment scheme.  Never give your credit card, phone card, Social Security, or bank account number to anyone over the phone. It's illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift.  Don't let anyone rush you into signing anything — an insurance policy, a sales agreement, a contract. Read it carefully and have someone you trust check it over.