You must develop a "security awareness" of your surroundings as  well as the people around you.  Be especially vigilant of suspicious persons as you go to and from your home, vehicle or place of business.

When walking outside avoid shortcuts and poorly lit walkways or sidewalks.  Stay in well lit areas and walk with confidence to your destination.  It is a good idea to have your keys in hand as you approach your vehicle.  Studies show that many assaults occur when the victim had his or her keys in hand which is why it is a good idea to have a good quality pepper spray or personal alarm attached to your keyring.

If you carry a cell phone program 911 in your speed dial. 

 You can avoid becoming a victim of theft by securing your personal property.

When you leave your office or work area, lock your purse, wallet, briefcase or other valuable items in a desk or cabinet.  Lock your office door, even if you are only away for a few moments.

When parking your vehicle lock all valuable items such as cell phones, stereos, radar detectors and packages in your trunk or glove box. 

At home secure all ground level doors and windows when you are away.  It is a good idea to purchase a home alarm or alarms for your doors and windows.  These devices emit a very loud sound which may scare away potential intruders.

Most incidents of crime and personal loss may be avoided by taking these simple steps.   

ATM SECURITY         

ATM cash machines have been incorporated in our way of life. They offer a real convenience to those on the run but at the same time offer an element of risk. Using an ATM machine safely requires awareness and a little planning. Just because an ATM machine is open and available 24­hours a day doesn't mean it is safe to use it. Most ATM robberies occur at night between 8:00 PM and midnight. ATM robbers are usually males under 25 years of age and most work alone. ATM robbers usually position themselves nearby waiting for a victim to approach and withdraw cash. Most ATM robbery victims are women and were alone when robbed. Most claim that they never saw the robber coming. Most ATM robbers used a gun or claimed to have a concealed weapon when confronting the victim and demandIng their cash.

 If you or your family members use ATM cash machines on a regular basis, here are some tips that can make the process a little safer:

·                     Use only ATM machines in well-lighted, high-traffic areas. Don't use ATM machines that are remote or hidden such as being located behind buildings, behind pillars, walls, or away from public view. Beware of obvious hiding places like shrubbery or overgrown trees.

ATM robbers like to have the element of surprise and no witnesses. Robbers like good escape routes like nearby freeway on-ramps or high-speed thoroughfares.

·                    Choose an ATM that looks and 'feels' safer, even if it is a couple of miles out of the way.

Try and limit your use to daylight hours. Take someone with you after hours, if you can. When you drive up to an ATM location, scan the area for any suspicious persons. If you observe anyone suspicious standing nearby or idly sitting in a car, drive away. When you approach an ATM on foot be prepared and have your access card ready. Memorize your personal PIN number to prevent loss and speed the transaction. After inserting your card and your PIN number keep an eye out behind you. Never accept an offer to help or request for help from a suspicious person ahead of you at the machine. If anyone suspicious or seemingly dangerous approaches terminate your transaction and leave immediately, even if it means running away and leaving your ATM card in the machine. First, tell the suspicious person in a loud, firm voice to "back-off' and leave you alone. This is designed to startle the person and give you time to flee, if appropriate. When you receive cash from the machine put it away immediately, extract your card, and walk away.

·                    If you use your car at a drive-thru ATM machine the same rules apply. Keep the car in gear, with your foot firmly on the brake, while using the ATM machine. Keep a close eye on your rear and side view mirrors during the transaction. Robbers almost always approach from the rear on the driver's side. If you see anyone approaching, drive off even if it means leaving your A TM card behind. If an armed robber confronts you, just give up your money without argument. The cash is not worth serious injury or death. Get to a safe place and call the police immediately.

·                    If lights around the ATM are not working, don't use that machine

·                    Avoid ATM machines adjacent to obvious hiding places

·                    Have your card ready and leave quickly, not counting your cash in public

·                    Beware of offers for help from strangers during an ATM transaction

·                    Don't fight with or attempt to follow the robber

·                    Drive or walk to a safe place and immediately call the police

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO TO PREVENT SEXUAL ASSAULT?     

Always be aware of your surroundings and stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Walk confidently, directly and at a steady pace. A rapist looks for someone who appears vulnerable. Walk on the side of the street facing traffic and close to the curb if possible. Avoid doorways, bushes and alleys where rapists can hide.

If you think you are being followed, walk quickly to areas where there are people and lights. If a car appears to be following you, turn and walk in the opposite direction or walk on the other side of the street.

·         Be careful when people stop you for directions or money. Always reply from a distance and never get too close to the car.

·         If you are in trouble or feel you are in danger, don't be afraid to attract help any way you can. Scream, yell or run away to safety.

·         Always lock your car. Keep your car locked when you are away from it to keep someone from hiding and waiting inside.

·         When you are inside the car, lock the doors for safety.

·         Look inside and around your car before you get in.

·         Be aware of other people in parking areas, especially those close to your vehicle.

·         If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place or a police station to get help.

If your car breaks down, open the hood or attach a white cloth to the antenna. If someone stops to help, stay inside your locked vehicle and ask them to call the police.

If you choose to carry any type of weapon for self-protection, give careful consideration to your ability and willingness to use it. You must be mentally prepared to defend yourself against attack.  Familiarization with any type of self defense type weapon i.e., pepper spray, stun gun, personal alarm is key to being prepared.

COMMERCIAL (BUSINESS) BURGLARY

Ninety per cent of burglary prevention is physical security. If your complex is locked up and unauthorized entry is made difficult, time consuming, noisy and visible, chances of a successful burglary are kept to a minimum. The burglar will pass up your business and look for an easier target.

PREVENTION

LOCKS on all outside entrances and inside security doors should be double cylinder deadbolts with moveable collars. The deadbolt should have at least one inch throw containing a hardened steel insert and protected by a latch guard.

PADLOCKS should be of hardened steel, mounted on bolted hasps and always locked to prevent exchange. Serial numbers should be filed off to prevent new keys from being made.

DOORS (all outside or security doors) should be of solid construction, metal lined and secured with heavy metal crossbars. Jams around doors must be solid. All exposed hinges should be pinned to prevent removal.

WINDOWS should have secure locks. Burglar-resistant glass treatments are also recommended. An example would be the installation of polyester security film. However, this must be used in conjunction with the alarm's glass break sensor. Heavy metal grates may be used on windows of high vulnerability (such as rear windows). Check with the Fire Marshall for safety requirements. LIGHTS must provide optimum visibility, both inside and out, with those outside having vandal­proof covers over the lights and power source. Entire perimeter must be well lit, especially the area around doors and other possible entry points.

ALARM SYSTEM should be supplied by a licensed alarm company with a central monitoring station or an alarm equipped with an auto dialer feature that will dial pre-programmed phone numbers as well as the police. Check the alarm system on a daily basis, and advertise its presence to deter break-ins. CASH REGISTER should be kept in plain view from outside the building so it can be easily monitored and should be left open when empty and not in use.

SAFE should be fire proof, burglar resistant, anchored securely and in plain view. Leave it open when it is empty, and use it to lock up valuables when business is closed. Change the combination whenever someone with access to it leaves your employment.

BUILDING EXTERIOR should be checked including the roof, cellar and walls. Secure all openings. 

MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY by not allowing landscaping, boxes, trash bins, vehicles or equipment near building where they might provide concealment or access to the roof.

PERIMETER FENCES need to be adequate enough to keep intruders out, and at the same time allow good visibility of your business by neighbors and police (i.e. vertical iron bar fence or 1/8 inch mesh vinyl coated chain link).

KEY CONTROL should be done in a responsible manner. A master key system where one key opens all locks may be convenient, but it may not be the best for security. Code all keys, keep them locked up when not in use, and do not allow employees to leave them lying around or make duplicates. Change locks whenever you suspect key security has been jeopardized.

ID NUMBERS should be marked on all equipment and stickers (such as Operation ID) should be displayed to make this plainly evident to would-be thieves. The best number to use is your personal Florida driver's license number. Also keeping a record of serial numbers on all equipment may help in recovery.

BUGULAR PREVENTION            

What does a BURGLAR like?

Experience has shown us that burglars like many things (mostly other people's things), but most thieves prefer two conditions:

·         An invitation, and

·         A fast, easy, undetected entry and exit

Burglary invitations aren't stuffed into envelopes as are birthday party invites; nor do we hang signs on our doors - "BURGLARS WELCOME" - the way we attach balloons to the mailbox. However, invitations are sent and signs are posted which are equally effective. Have you observed the pile of newspapers on your how the mail overflows from his mailbox? Other invites you might recognize include:

·         Unkept Yard.

·         Keys left in your vehicle while you run into the store.

·         Dark or concealed hiding areas.

·         Windows left open when you are away.

·         Notes left on exterior doors explaining where you have gone.

·         The spare house key on top of the door jam. (Did you think no one knew that key was

there?)

·         Messages on answering machines stating you are away.

·         An open garage door.

·         Sliding glass door, without auxiliary locks.

·         A house unlit night after night.

·         Privacy fence.

·         Flimsy door latches and locks.

·         Basement windows.

After receiving his invitation the burglar also looks for a quick, undetected entry and exit. He will choose the path of least resistance, which affords him the best chance of getting away without being caught. For this reason, most burglars work the night shift hiding under the cover of darkness. This is an opportunity afforded by nature; other access and escape opportunities, which we provide include:

·         A large shrub in front of a window

Whether in big city, small town, even rural communities, crime and the threat of criminal activity is an ever present danger.  Criminals, gangs and other law breakers are breaking into homes, hijacking cars, and committing other acts of violent crime even in areas that in times past criminal activity was never heard of.