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ICTP attracts all types of
people and the majority of them are law-abiding. However, you have
no way of knowing who is and who is not. For this reason, you must
be prepared to protect yourself. The most important thing to
remember is criminals often plan their crimes. They look for the
right opportunity and the easiest victim. Therefore, your best
defense is a personal security plan aimed at reducing the
opportunity for criminals to victimize you. The ICTP encourages you
to practice the following crime prevention measures to increase your
personal safety and security. |
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At Home |
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Install quality deadbolt locks on all
exterior doors and use them |
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Remember a small chain between the door
and doorjamb is not safe. It can be easily broken and pulled
out. |
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Install quality locks on all windows and
use them |
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When a window is left open for
ventilation, keep the opening small enough to prevent entry |
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Install a wide-angle viewer in the doors
at all entrances to see who is outside without opening the
door. |
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Remove or trim shrubbery that hides doors and windows so
neighbors or passersby can see someone trying to break into
your home.
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Light the outside of your home to
discourage prowling or loitering. Use outside floodlights
for all entryways, pathways, stairwells and laundry, trash
and parking areas. Connect outside lights to a timing
device, motion detector or a light sensitive switch so
lights switch on automatically during hours of darkness |
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Make a decision about installing an alarm
system only after considering such factors as the cost, the
reputation of the company and the likelihood of false alarms |
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A watchdog offers additional protection |
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Intruders |
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If you are at home and you suspect
someone is trying to break in, call the nearest Police
Station immediately. |
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If confronted by an intruder, remain as
calm as possible. |
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Consider your safety and that of your
family as the highest priority. |
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Choose a strategy such as negotiating,
fleeing, screaming, fighting or complying whichever seems
safest and most effective relative to the situation. |
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Telephone Calls |
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Do not give your telephone number to
wrong telephone number callers. Ask the caller, "What
telephone number are you calling?" |
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Check references of any person calling
seeking information about you for a survey, credit check or
subscription drive. Call the agency or company the person
works for and verify the identity and intent of the
telephone call. |
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Never reveal to a stranger or wrong
telephone number caller, your address or that you are home
alone.
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If you receive a threatening, harassing
or obscene telephone call, notify to your nearest Police
station and your telephone company. |
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Place the receiver down immediately. Do
not say anything. |
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Keep a record of the date, time and the content of each
telephone call.
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Away From Home
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Use timing devices to turn on inside
lights and radios to give the appearance that your home is
occupied. Setting timers to go on and off at different hours
in different rooms is also a good idea. |
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If no one will be at home for more than a
few days, arrange to have a relative, trusted friend or
neighbor pick up your mail. |
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Returning Home
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Have your door key in your hand when
approaching your entryway. |
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At night, keep car headlights on and car
doors locked until you have checked your garage or parking
area. Look around before you get out of your car. |
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If you are driven home, ask
the driver to wait until you are safely inside. |
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If possible, arrange for a relative,
neighbor or friend to be there when you arrive home. |
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Never go into your home if anything seems
unusual, such as an open door or a broken window. Leave
immediately to a place where you can call the police. Do not
go into your home until the police advise it is safe. |
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Apartments and Condominiums
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Always lock the doors to common areas and
garages. |
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When leaving or entering a garage, be
sure the door closes and locks behind you before moving on. |
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Do not leave the garage door opener in
your car. If stolen, it provides easy access to your
building. |
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Organize regular meetings to discuss
security issues. |
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Contact neighbors in your complex
whenever a crime occurs so they may take appropriate
precautions. |
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Never use a laundry room alone or late at
night. Do your laundry during the day and invite a friend or
neighbor to do their laundry with you. |
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Driving
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Travel on busy, well-lighted streets. |
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Keep your car in good running order. |
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Keep your car in gear while waiting at
traffic signals and stop signs. If you are approached and
threatened, honk the horn and drive away. |
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Plan your route in advance, particularly
on unfamiliar trips. Have enough gasoline and money to get
you there and back. Never allow your gasoline gauge to fall
below the quarter tank level. |
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Drive with all car doors locked. |
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Keep the windows rolled up whenever
possible. |
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Keep your wallet, purse and other
valuables out of sight while driving. Do not leave them on
the seat next to you. Place personal items in the glove
compartment, under a front seat or in the trunk. |
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Do not store valuable items in your car. |
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Never pick up hitchhikers. |
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Try carpooling or sharing rides with
others. This will save money and you will have help in case
of an emergency. |
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Keep spare money in your car for a taxi,
bus fare or telephone calls in case of a breakdown. |
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If you see another motorist in trouble,
do not stop. As you drive by, signal the motorist that you
are going to get help. Find a pay telephone or use your
cellular telephone to call for assistance. |
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If the driver of another car tries to
force your car off the road do not stop. Continue driving to
an open business, police, sheriff or fire station. Try to
obtain the license number and description of the car, driver
and passengers. Report the incident to the police. |
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If you are driving during late or odd
hours be aware that commuter routes congested during rush
hours may be deserted. Use freeways and main thoroughfares
and avoid alternate, less traveled roads as much as
possible. |
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Walking
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Avoid walking alone. |
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Walk on streets where there are other
people. |
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Stay alert to your surroundings at all
times. Observe people and activities around you. Look
confident and purposeful when you walk. |
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Plan and use the safest and most direct
route to your destination. |
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Choose busy, well-lighted streets and
avoid isolated areas, alleys, vacant lots, abandoned
buildings and construction sites. |
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Keep the windows rolled up whenever
possible. |
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Walk near the curb and do not pass too
close to shrubbery, dark doorways and other places of
concealment. |
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Avoid shortcuts. |
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Become familiar with stores and gas
stations that stay open late at night, as well as Police
stations, Rescue 15, and fire department
locations. |
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Walk facing traffic so you can see
approaching cars. |
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Carry a flashlight during hours of
darkness. |
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Be aware that wearing earphones connected
to portable radios, MPS and CD players while walking can
distract you and make you less able to sense potential
danger. |
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Always bring change with you for cab
fare, bus fare or telephone calls in case you decide not to
walk. Keep some extra money separate from your wallet or
purse for emergencies. |
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Never hitchhike and do not accept rides
from strangers. |
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When arriving home by taxicab or
limousine request the driver to wait until you are inside
the house. |
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Parking
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Choose well-lighted parking areas. |
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Look around for loiterers before you get
out of your car. |
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Keep valuables and packages locked in the
trunk.
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Always turn off the ignition, remove the
key, and lock your car doors, no matter how soon you plan on
returning. |
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Do not park next to vans, trucks with
campers or other vehicles whose size and structure can
provide concealment for a potential assailant. |
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Exercise caution and be extra alert when
using underground or enclosed parking garages. Walk in the
center isle, rather than close to parked cars. |
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If you have a choice, park in areas that
have an attendant or in locations that have heavy pedestrian
traffic. |
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Automated Teller Machine (ATM)
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Memorize your personal identification
number (PIN). Do not carry your PIN anywhere on your person
or in your wallet. |
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Never give your PIN to anyone else. |
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When using an automated teller machine
(ATM) have your paperwork and ATM card ready before you
arrive at the ATM.
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Be aware of people around the ATM and in
parked cars who seem to be loitering or subtly watching
customers transact business. If you feel uncomfortable,
leave the location and find another ATM where you can safely
transact your business. |
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When using a drive-up ATM always keep
alert to your surroundings. Be sure your car doors are
locked and the windows are closed. Look around and check the
area before you open your car window to make sure no one is
loitering around the ATM. Open the window only when you are
sure it is safe to do so. Open the window long enough to
conduct your transaction and leave the location promptly. |
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Do not sit in the car at the ATM and do
your personal accounting. |
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Never use an ATM after dark. |
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When using a walk-up ATM always keep
alert to your surroundings. Choose an ATM in a shopping
mall, market or an ATM that is in a bank or located near a
busy street. |
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Make sure the ATM is not obscured by
landscaping or walls. |
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Always take someone with you. |
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Shield the screen with your body to
prevent others from seeing your PIN. |
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