Find someone with whom you can be accountable. For instance, if you must walk alone, call someone and tell him or her where you are going, and what time you will return. Plan to call them when you arrive or return. If you are late, your contact person can call the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office at (843) 719-4412 and advise them of the situation.
Use common sense. Avoid the obvious. Carry your money in an inner coat pocket, or fanny pack. If you use a purse, carry a shoulder bag held close to your body or worn inside your coat.
Remember, not every criminal looks like a psychopath with crazed eyes. In fact, most victims know their assailant. Serial killers are often attractive, charming people.
Never give a caller any reason to think you are home alone
Do not give your name, phone number or address to a telephone caller
Hang up on obscene or frightening phone calls. If they persist, blow a whistle loudly into the mouthpiece. Write down the date, time, and what was said and heard in each call.
If threatening or obscene calls persist, report them to the phone company and block the phone number after making a police report.
Always check the back seat of your car before entering
Keep your doors locked and windows rolled up at all times
Always park in a well-lit busy location
If someone tries to force their way into your car, blow the horn
Keep your car properly maintained
If you think you are being followed by another car do not go home, drive to the nearest police or fire station, open gas station, or other well-lit place, do not get out of your car, rather, use your horn to summons help
Be sure your house, garage and driveway are well lit
When you reach home, leave your car lights on until you open the garage and have your house key ready before you get out of the car
Leave your car in gear when you have to stop at intersections
When you go out, be sure to let someone know your destination, route and expected time of return
Use busy, well-lit streets when possible
Be sure you have enough gas to get to your location
If you wish to help a stranded motorist, do not stop, go to the nearest telephone and call for help
If you park your vehicle during the day and return at night, park near the street and building lights when possible
Stay alert and attuned to things going on around you, do not leave your car if you observe any suspicious persons in the area
Have your car key ready before you approach the car so you do not make yourself vulnerable while searching for the right key
When parking in a valet lot, leave only your ignition key
o If your car breaks-down in an isolated area, turn on the emergency blinkers, raise your hood, get back in your car as quickly as possible, lock your doors and keep the windows rolled up. If someone stops, ask that they send help, do not get out of your vehicle or accept rides from anyone other than properly identified repair and delivery personnel.
Never open your door to anyone you do not know. Always verify by telephone that these persons work for the company they say they represent and have been sent for the reason stated.
o Most service company employees carry identification cards. Examine the identification carefully. If such a person does not have an ID, get their name and call the company they claim to represent before letting them in.
If door keys
have been lost, change the locks or re-key immediately
Avoid giving your house keys to anyone other than family members or trusted
friends
Be sure the exterior of your home is well-lit at
night
Instruct children never to answer a doorbell or a
knock at the door
Put curtains or blinds on all windows
and keep them closed at night
Install solid wood or
metal doors equipped with good deadbolt locks
Move
exterior door hinges to the interior or install non-removable hinge
pins
Install a wide-angel peephole for a full view
outside the door
Do not leave clubs or night spots with
strangers or invite them to your apartment or home
When
moving into a house or apartment, change or re-key all
locks
Know the neighbors you can trust in an
emergency
When returning home, have your keys ready and
enter the house as quickly as possible
Use your initials
rather than your first name in the phone book and on your
mailbox
If you hear a prowler inside your house, get out
of the house, if possible, exit
through a back door or window to avoid any confrontation with the prowler
If
you sense that something is not right, do not go into your home or apartment,
call the police
If a stranger asks to use your phone,
get the information and place the call
for the requestor, do not allow any stranger into your
home
Unless a law enforcement officer is in a marked car; never agree to pull off the road. Many criminals obtain victims by indicating their car or the victim’s car is having problems.
Never leave your keys in the car. Always lock doors and keep valuables out of view. To avoid car problems, keep your car in good working order. Consider purchasing an emergency roadside kit, a cellular phone or CB radio. If you must pull over, light flares and put up emergency triangles. Lock yourself in the car and wait for assistance. For more information about how to form a watch group, or information about existing groups in your area, contact the Berkeley County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Division at (843) 719-4713.
There is strength in numbers. Never walk or drive alone if possible, especially at night. Numbers discourage criminals because their goals become harder to achieve.
Many criminals stalk their victims before striking. In order to avoid a dangerous, “predictable” pattern, change your schedule often or vary your route whenever possible.
Do not walk too closely to the inside of a sidewalk, near bushes, alley entrances, driveways or entrances to private places
Try not to overload yourself with packages
Do not hitchhike or accept rides from strangers
If a car approaches and the driver bothers you, walk in the opposite direction
If someone asks you for directions from their car, do not walk over to them, make them speak louder
Don’t walk through dark parking lots, parks or other dark places
If you think someone is following you, do not go home, go instead to a neighbor’s house, open business or other well lighted place where there should be people to help you
If you arrive home by taxi or with a friend, ask them to wait until you are inside your home
