Personal Safety -Make Yourself A Tough Target-
Be Aware of your surroundings!
Stay Alert!
Trust Your Instincts! Remember there is Safety in Numbers!
AWARENESS IS ‘KEY’ TO SAFETY!
Structure BookmarksPage 1Title Page
Page 2Crime StatisticsEvery 3 ½ minutes...www.spotcrime.com
www.spotcrime.com www.spotcrime.com www.spotcrime.com
https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/index.aspx
https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/index.aspx
https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/SorNew/index.aspx
Page 3What is Crime Prevention?Crime Prevention is the attempt
to reduce victimization and to deter crime and criminals. Crime
Prevention is...Crime Prevention is the attempt to reduce
victimization and to deter crime and criminals.
What is needed?What is needed for a crime to occur Desire
DesireDesire
OpportunityOpportunity
AbilityAbility
Page 4What does a Criminal Look Like?Dangerous Dorothea
PuenteDangerous Dorothea PuenteBubbly Betty WhiteBubbly Betty
White
Page 5What does a Criminal Look Like?Terrible Ted BundyTerrible
Ted BundyDavid Do-RightDavid Do-Right
Page 6Three Rules of Personal SafetyStay Alert - Be aware of
your surroundings. Stay Alert...Stay Alert - Be aware of your
surroundings.
Communicate the message...Communicate the message that you are
calm, confident, and know where you are going.
Trust your instinctsTrust your instincts.
Page 7Be AwareCrime can happen any place any time! Crime can
happen...Crime can happen any place any time!
Often people live or work...Often people that live or work in an
environment with a low crime rate think that they will not become a
victim of a crime.
This mind set...This “mind set” can provide a “false sense of
security,” causing people to let down their guard.
Page 8Walking to Your OfficeWalk in an open area, not between
the cars. Walk in an open area...Walk in an open area, not between
the cars.
Use sidewalks...Use sidewalks or marked paths.
Avoid areas...Avoid areas near thick shrubs and hedges.
Walk with your head up...Walk with your head up and eyes open,
scan the area for potential threats.
Limit distractions...Limit Distractions – Cell phones
Have safety devices...Have safety devices ready to use.
Report suspicious activity...Report suspicious activity to the
police.
Page 9Driving AloneKeep a cell phone handy in case your vehicle
breaks down. Know who to call. (Roadside Assistance number is on
back of Driver License). Keep a cell...Keep a cell phone handy in
case your vehicle breaks down. Know who to call. (Roadside
Assistance number is on back of Driver License).
Keep vehicle doors...Keep vehicle doors locked at all times.
Lower windows...Lower windows only slightly, so no one can reach
inside.
Maintain a relatively...Maintain a relatively full tank of
gas.
Choose a well-lighted...Choose a well-lighted, well-traveled
route even if it's a little out ofthe way.
Page 10Driving Alone (cont'd)Do not pick up hitchhikers. Do not
pick up...Do not pick up hitchhikers.
Don't stop to help...Don't stop to help strangers -get to a
phone and call helpfor them.
If someone follows you...If someone follows you, don't go home.
Drive to an open business, police station, or fire station. If
possible, record the license plate number of the other vehicle.
Page 11Parking Your VehiclePark in a well-lighted area. Park in
well-lighted areasPark in a well-lighted area.
If parking during the day...If parking during the day and
returning at night, check for street and building lights.
Always lock...Always lock the vehicle doors.
When using valet parking...When using valet parking, leave only
the ignition key in the car. Do not give anyone a chance to
duplicate your house keys.
Put valuables in trunkPut valuables in the trunk.
Be cautious when....Be cautious when parking next to a van.
Page 12Returning to a parked vehicleHave your keys in your hand,
ready to unlock your vehicle. Have your keys...Have your keys in
your hand, ready to unlock your vehicle.
Limit distractions...Limit distractions – Cell phones
Look around...Look around the area to see if someone is
loitering around your car.
Check the front...Check the front and back seat areas of the car
to see if someone is hiding.
If possible...If possible, walk with someone to your
vehicle.
Be cautious...Be cautious of any van parked next to your
car.
Page 13Crime increases during the holidaysHolidays do not stop
criminals Holidays do not...Holidays do not stop criminals
Burglaries to...Burglaries to residences and businesses, as well
as theft and shoplifting increase during the holidays.
FigureLimit the opportunity
Page 14Home SafetyKeep your doors locked at all times (day or
night). Keep your doors locked...Keep your doors locked at all
times (day or night).
Install a door viewer...Install a door viewer so you can see
who's there without opening the door.
Don't leave notes...Don't leave notes on your door, or
newspapers on your porch - they advertise that you're not home.
Close the drapes...Close the drapes or blinds at night.
Don't automatically...Don't automatically open the door - have
the person identify himself.
Ask for identification...Ask for identification from any
repairman. If you are not expecting anyone, or you're suspicious
for any reason, call his firm to verify before letting him in.
Page 15Home Safety (cont'd)If a stranger asks for help, don't
open the door - make the call for him. If a stranger...If a
stranger asks for help, don't open the door - make the call for
him.
If you return home...If you return home and you suspect forced
entry, DON'T GO IN! - Call the police to help you check the
house.
Do not give your name...Do not give your name, phone number,
address, or any other personal information to a telephone
solicitor.
Use your initials...Use your initials rather than your first
name in the phone book and mailbox.
Have your locks re-keyed...Have your locks re keyed or changed
when you move into a new residence so previous tenants won't have
access to your home.
Nieghborhood watch...Neighborhood watch – know your
neighbors!
Page 16Holiday Safety Shopping TipsShop during daylight hours
whenever possible. If you must shop at night, go with a friend or
family member. There is safety in numbers. Shop during daylight
hours...Shop during daylight hours whenever possible. If you must
shop at night, go with a friend or family member. There is safety
in numbers.
Avoid wearing...Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
Wear comfortable...Wear comfortable clothes and walking
shoes.
Do not carry a purse...Do not carry a purse or wallet, if
possible. Be extra careful if you carry a wallet or purse. People
with wallets and purses are prime targets of criminals in crowded
shopping areas, transportation terminals, bus stops, on buses and
other rapid transit.
Don't carry lots of cashDon’t carry lots of cash.
Page 17Holiday Safety Shopping Tips (cont'd)Avoid overloading
yourself with packages. It is important to have clear visibility
and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps. Avoid overloading...Avoid
overloading yourself with packages. It is important to have clear
visibility and freedom of motion to avoid mishaps.
Limit the distractions...Limit the distractions – don’t text or
talk on phones while shopping.
Consider leaving...Consider leaving small children at home with
family or babysitter.
Beweare of strangers...Beware of strangers approaching you for
any reason. During the holiday season, "con-artists" may try
various methods of distracting you with the intention of taking
your money or belongings.
Page 18If AttackedRemain as calm as possible. This will not be
easy if you're attacked, but it's your first step towards an
escape. Remember, your own initiative and imagination is your best
defense. Remain as calm as possibleRemain as calm as possible. This
will not be easy if you're attacked, but it's your first step
towards an escape. Remember, your own initiative and imagination is
your best defense.
Two types of resistance...Two types of resistance can be used
against an attacker: Two types of resistance can be used against an
attacker: Passive PassivePassive
ActiveActive
Page 193 F's - Fight, Flight, or FreezeBody’s reaction when
attacked: Body's reaction...Body’s reaction when attacked: Loss of
Fine Motor Skills Loss of Fine Motor SkillsLoss of Fine Motor
Skills
Can't think straight...Can’t think straight, tunnel vision and
audio exclusion and vasoconstriction
Slow breathing...Slow Breathing – don’t hold your breath
–Yell
Use simple gross...Use Simple Gross Motor Skills
Page 20Passive ResistanceUsing your imagination...Try to remain
calm and show as little fear as possible. Try to remain calm...Try
to remain calm and show as little fear as possible.
Talk to the attacker...Talk to the attacker if possible. In some
cases this will help calm both him/her and you down. Refrain from
talking to the attacker if it aggravates him/her.
Treat the attacker as a person...Treat the attacker as a person
and try to gain the attacker’s confidence. The attacker may let
his/her guard down and allow you to escape.
Continually look for...Continually look for an opportunity to
escape. If your first attempt to dissuade the attacker fails, try
something else - different approaches work on different people.
Page 21Active ResistanceInvolves using physical...Scream - if
someone is near enough to hear you and provide help. ScreamScream -
if someone is near enough to hear you and provide help.
If you're grabbed...If you're grabbed from behind, throw your
head back hard against the attacker's face or throat.
Crush down on top...Crush down on top of the instep of the
attackers foot with your heel.
Press your thumbs...Press your thumbs very hard into the
attacker’s eyes.
Run towards people...Run towards people and lighted areas.
Page 22Personal SafetyNo method is foolproof and no single
method is the best one in every situation. All situations are
different and every attacker is different. Passive resistance may
not change the attacker's mind or offer a chance to escape. Active
resistance may excite or cause the attacker to use more force than
might otherwise been used. No method is foolproof...No method is
foolproof and no single method is the best one in every situation.
All situations are different and every attacker is different.
Passive resistance may not change the attacker's mind or offer a
chance to escape. Active resistance may excite or cause the
attacker to use more force than might otherwise been used.
Page 23Personal Safety (cont'd)Make Yourself....Be aware...Trust
your instincts...Awareness is key...
