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The St. Charles Police Department works to protect the citizens and
businesses of our community from crime, but nothing promotes a
crime-free environment as well as an active and aware public.
On these pages, we offer tips that may help you prevent crime, and,
in doing so, you will help your police department to do a better
job, as well.
**THE MOST IMPORTANT
SINGLE ACT YOU CAN PERFORM IS THAT OF CALLING THE POLICE TO REPORT
CRIMES OR SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITIES**.
When law enforcement is unaware of problems, they cannot help
resolve them. Although most of these tips are for homeowners and
other private citizens, businesses can be a significant part of the
anti-crime effort too. Many of these suggestions can be adapted to
the business world with only slight modification (Call Community
Relations for more information). Your customers and employees will
benefit from a crime free environment.
Protect Your Home and Neighborhood
4 Install good Deadbolt Locks and use
them.
4 Use timers to turn lights on and off
in a normal schedule when away from home.
4 Adequately secure all windows with
secondary locking devices.
4 Lock garage doors and windows.
4 Leave exterior lights on all night.
4 Do not advertise that you are away
from home.
4 Be neighborly, but be suspicious of
strangers in the area.
4 Record serial numbers and maintain a
record of your property in a safe place, other than your home.
4 Mark your property with your
Permanent Missouri Driver License.
4 Organize into a Neighborhood Watch
Program. Call 636.949.3541 for information.
4 Call the police to report all crimes
and suspicious activity.
Protect Yourself
4 Stay alert; be aware of your
surroundings.
4 Show you are calm, confident and know
where you are going.
4 Trust your instincts. If you feel
uncomfortable, leave.
4 Carry your purse firmly and close to
your body.
4 Keep your wallet in an inside coat or
side trouser pocket.
4 Have your car or house key in your
hand as you approach the door.
4 Park in well-lighted areas that will
be well-lighted when you return. Be sure to lock your car doors.
4 If you jog, do not jog alone in
isolated areas.
4 Do not hitchhike. Do not pick up
hitchhikers.
4 Do not accept rides from strangers.
4 Women living alone should list only
their last name and first initial in the phone book and on mail
boxes. Ask the phone company to not list your address in the book.
4 If you are concerned about crime and
must go out, find a friend to walk, jog or shop with.
If you are attacked or robbed:
4 Remain calm.
4 Try not to panic or show any signs of
anger or confusion.
4 If the attacker is after your
property, don't resist.
4 Don't escalate this crime into a
violent encounter.
4 Make a conscious effort to get an
accurate description of your attacker: age, race, complexion, body
build, height, weight, type and color of clothing.
4 Call the police immediately,
identifying yourself and giving your location.
If your home is broken into:
4 If a door or window has been forced
or broken while you are absent. Do not enter or call out! Someone
may still be inside.
4 Use a neighbor's phone immediately to
call the police, and wait there until they arrive.
When You Call the Police, Try to remain calm. Use 911 for medical
emergencies, fires and crimes in progress. Someone should respond
within a few minutes on a call of this type. In many situations, an
officer may be dispatched while you are still providing information
to the Communications Specialist.
636.949.3300 is St. Charles Police Dispatch
Center. Use this number to report burglaries, thefts,
vandalism, prowlers, suspicious or disruptive activities. You will
be asked several questions.
4Be ready to provide the following
information:
Your Address, Name and Phone Number.
4 What Happened?
Describe the event in as brief manner as possible.
4 When Did it Happen?
Tell if the crime is in progress or when it occurred.
4 Who Did It?
Name or describe the suspect or vehicle, if there is one.
4 Where Did They Go?
Which way and how did they leave?
Wait for the officer to arrive or to call you back. The time it
takes for an officer to arrive will depend on many factors. The
officer may ask you questions similar to those asked earlier. Please
be patient so the officer can help you.
In many situations it is unnecessary for an officer to come to you.
Nearly 15% of all police cases are handled over the telephone. Keep
track of the case number given you by the officer. It will be needed
by your insurance company if you file a claim. All future police
activity related to that event will be linked to that number. If
there is enough information, the case will be passed on to a
follow-up detective. It will be a few days before you are contacted.
If you have new information you would like to give to the detective,
be sure to use the case number given you by the first officer.
**Get involved in Neighborhood Crime Prevention. Take time to
learn how to avoid being a victim, and learn your rights as a victim
of crime.**
THIS IS ONLY THE BEGINNING OF CRIME
PREVENTION INFORMATION AND SERVICES. FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE
CALL COMMUNITY RELATIONS AT 636.949.3541 AND GET INVOLVED.
Scruff & McGruff's Tips for Kids
Bicycle Safety
DO:
1. Ride with traffic. Keep to the right of the road.
2. Obey all traffic regulations.
3. Use proper hand signals for turning or stopping.
4. Stop and look both ways in order to make sure that side walks or
streets are clear before you enter a street.
5. Walk your bicycle across busy streets at corners or crosswalks.
6. Use proper headlights and red tail light or reflector when riding
at night.
DON'T:
1. Show off. Keep your hands on the handlebars.
2. Zigzag, race or stunt-ride in traffic.
3. Hitch rides on trucks or cars.
4. Accept passengers.
5. Carry large packages which could get in your way (use luggage
carrier or basket).
6. Ride against traffic.
7. Wear dark clothing at night. Wear reflective clothing or light
colors.
8. Tailgate or ride too closely to cars or trucks.
Accidents involving bicycles are steadily increasing. Major streets
are the most dangerous. The peak traffic hours between 4:00 and 6:00
P.M. are the most dangerous and hazardous for cyclists.
Being Home Alone
To be home alone, you need to know the following things to protect
you and your family:
4 To check in with a parents or a neighbor immediately after
arriving home.
4 How to call 9-1-1, or your area's emergency number or call the
operator.
4 How to give directions to you home, in case of emergency.
4 To never accept gifts or rides from people they don't know well.
4 How to use the door and window locks, and alarm system if you have
one.
4 To never let anyone into your home without asking permission from
a parent or adult.
4 To never let a caller at the door or on the phone know that you
are alone. Teach them to say "Mom/Dad can't come to the phone (or
door) right now."
4 To carry a house key with them in a safe place ( inside a shirt
pocket or sock). Don't leave it under a mat or on a ledge outside
the house. How to escape in case of a fire.
4 To not go into a empty house or apartment if things don't look
right - a broken window, ripped screen, or a opened door.
4 To let you know about anything that frightens them or makes them
feel uncomfortable.
Creating Safer Schools
Here are some ideas how to make your school a safer place:
4 Settle arguments with words, not fists or weapons.
4 Report crimes or suspicious activities to the police, school
authorities, or parents.
4 Learn safe routes for traveling to and from school, and know good
places to seek help.
4 Don't use alcohol or other drugs, and stay away from places and
people associated with them.
Get involved in your school's anti-violence activities - have a
poster contests against violence, hold anti-drug rallies, volunteer
to counsel peers. If there's no program start one.
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