Predators - Safety Quiz

Safety Quiz provided by: Capt. G. McHone

People have ever-growing concerns about being victimized. Police often hear questions from citizens regarding ways to protect themselves and their property from criminals. Crime is just not a police problem, it is everyone's problem. To eradicate crime, citizens must become involved in a cooperative effort with the police.

Every crime consists of three basic elements: the victim, the criminal's desire, and the opportunity to commit the crime. Crime can be thought of in terms of a triangle; remove one of its legs and the triangle collapses. If one of the elements is removed from the crime triangle, the crime is not committed.

It is difficult to control the criminal's desire and the fact that there is a victim in every crime, but what the police and citizens can impact is the opportunity. By working as a team, police and citizens can make strides in reducing the instances of crime. While nothing is foolproof, this security survey is designed to give you fundamental and inexpensive ideas on how to protect yourself and secure your property. Don't be the victim of a crime, take a few minutes and answer the following questions from the criminal's point of view.

Y=Yes N=No

Personal Safety
One of the greatest concerns is our personal safety. It is a fact that most victims know their assailant and that being assaulted by a stranger is rare. However, it is still important to exercise caution in our daily activities.

Y	N	1.	Does my body language project confidence?
Y	N	2.	Do I carry small amounts of money and only a few credit cards?
Y	N	3.	Am I observant of my surroundings and the people in it?
Y	N	4.	Do I know emergency phone numbers?
Y	N	5.	Do I check the interior of my vehicle before entering it?
Y	N	6.	Am I prepared to resist an attacker; have I thought about what to do if confronted?

Home Security
Criminals often look for conditions that aid them in committing a crime. A secure home is a far less attractive target than the house down the street that is not secure.

Exterior

Y	N	7.	Is my address visible from the street and is it illuminated at night?
Y	N	8.	Does the home have adequate outside lighting with no dark or unlit areas around the house?
Y	N	9.	Are motion detectors, photocells or timers used on outside lights?
Y	N	10.	Is landscaping trimmed so that it does not offer concealment or access to doors and windows?
Y	N	11.	Are windows and doors kept locked?
Y	N	12.	Does the home look lived in; newspapers and mail picked up, lawn cut, leaves raked, snow cleared?
Y	N	13.	Are motion detectors or timers utilized on lights, televisions and radios while I am away?
Y	N	14.	Are fences and gates in good repair and do they provide visibility from the street or neighbors?
Y	N	15.	Is the home alarmed and are the residents familiar with the alarm's operation?

Doors

Y	N	16.	Are exterior doors solid core wood or metal clad to resist force?
Y	N	17.	Are exterior doors and locks in good repair?
Y	N	18.	Are doors equipped with a minimum one inch throw dead bolt?
Y	N	19.	Are door frames reinforced at the strike plate preferably with three inch wood screws?
Y	N	20.	Is there minimum spacing between the door and frame to prevent access of a heavy pry tool?
Y	N	21.	Is the inside door from the garage into the house treated like an exterior door?
Y	N	22.	Are screen and storm doors in good repair with functioning locks?
Y	N	23.	Are door hinges pinned to prevent removal?
Y	N	24.	Does the door have a peep hole?
Y	N	25.	Are sliding glass doors equipped with dowels to prevent being lifted out of the track?
Y	N	26.	Is the garage door routinely kept shut?

Windows

Y	N	27.	Are windows, screens and storm windows in good repair?
Y	N	28.	Are windows equipped with secure locks?
Y	N	29.	Are windows kept locked?

Valuables

Y	N	30.	Are valuables kept in a safe place?
Y	N	31.	Is the make, model and serial numbers of valuables recorded?
Y	N	32.	Are valuables engraved with an identification or drivers license number?
Y	N	33.	Is jewelry kept locked in a safe place?
Y	N	34.	Are firearms safely locked away, out of sight?
Y	N	35.	Is ammunition kept separate from firearms?
Y	N	36.	Are valuables insured? Are there additional insurance riders on jewelry and guns?

Vehicle Security

Statistics have shown that approximately every thirty seconds a vehicle is stolen in the United States. The theft usually occurs in less than one minute and the peak hours are during the night. Remember, a thief may steal anything, if not a car, then maybe the valuables inside.

Y	N	37.	Is the vehicle in good working order?
Y	N	38.	Is the car left locked with windows up?
Y	N	39.	Are packages and valuables removed from inside the vehicle?
Y	N	40.	Are cellular phones, radar detectors, golf clubs, CD's and tapes stored out of sight?
Y	N	41.	Is the vehicle parked in a lighted, attended or secured area?
Y	N	42.	Is the vehicle equipped with any additional security devices?

If you observe any suspicious or criminal activity, do not hesitate to call the police. Try to provide a complete description of suspects, vehicles and events. Remember, in a lot of cases you are the eyes and ears of the police. By working together, citizens and the police can reduce the instances of crime.