“Honor”
“Integrity”
“Fidelity” |
Additional information may be obtained by contacting the Campus Law Enforcement
Office at 662-720-7160. |
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Property Protection
Protect Your Automobile
Professional
car thieves can open a locked car, remove what they want and get
away in a matter of seconds.
Most car thieves
rely on the carelessness of their victims. According to the FBI,
most cars are stolen because they are easy to steal. Many stolen
cars were left unlocked, and many drivers actually leave the keys
in the ignition. Remember to lock your car and take your keys with
you.
Auto theft
crimes most often take place at night and are committed by young
males. Top spots for auto theft include malls, apartments, stores,
churches and office buildings.
The following
precautions will greatly reduce your chances of being victimized:
Factors
to Reduce Risk |
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Never leave your car unlocked, the windows rolled down, or the
keys in the ignition. |
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Never leave spare keys in the car or in "hiding spots." An experienced
thief knows all the hiding places. Store spare keys in your wallet.
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No matter how quick the errand, never leave your car running unattended,
not even in your own driveway. |
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Remove knob-type door lock buttons and replace them with tapered
ones. |
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If you spend hard-earned money for security
devices, USE THEM every time you leave your car unattended.
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| Parking
— Avoid leaving
an auto unattended in public parking lots for an extended period
of time. A car is five times more likely to be stolen from an unattended
lot than form the street or an attended lot. |
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At night, park in well lighted areas with pedestrian traffic. Auto
thieves do not like working in spots where they are clearly visible.
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| — Whenever
possible, turn wheels sharply toward the curb when parking, making
it extra difficult for thieves to tow your car. |
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If you have a garage, use it. |
| — Keep contents
and valuables (car hones, purses, packages, etc. ) out of sight.
Lock them in the trunk or store them under the seat. If you can't
replace it don't leave it in your vehicle. |
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| Security
Devices
Many cars are taken for their parts, and no car is too old.
An automobile in parts may be worth 3 times its value as a whole
auto. Anti-theft devices are not foolproof. However, they can stop
the amateur and slow the professional. |
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Steering Wheel Lock: Steel rod locks to steering wheel and prevents
wheels from turning. (Recommended by some experts to be the most
cost effective auto theft deterrent on the market today. It will
stop most opportunistic thieves.) |
| — Ignition
and Steering Column Lock: Lockable steel cover encases steering
column, preventing access to ignition. |
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Fuel Cut-Off: Integrated into the fuel line, this device prevents
the flow of gasoline once the fuel to the gas line is used. Only
a special key deactivates the cut-off. |
| — Door Locks:
Visible inside door locks should be smooth and tapered. |
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Hood Locks: A secondary hood lock installed to prevent access to
the power circuit, battery or siren for an alarm system. A key operated
bolt, which is accessible form inside the car, or a chain which
is accessible from the outside, should also be installed. |
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| Car
Alarms
An alarm system will deter or discourage the car thief
and alert others of forced entry into the car. |
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Siren. The sounding device, used in lieu of the horn, is installed
in the engine compartment and should have an audible range of at
least 300 feet. |
| — Pin switches.
Plunger type switches installed on the doors, hood and trunk, which
when released to their fullest extension, activate the siren. |
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Glass protection. A sensing device is available that discriminates
the sound of breaking glass and can be used in conjunction with
switches for overall alarm protection. |
| — Voltage sensing
device. This device is attached to the wiring of the vehicle and
triggers the alarm when a drain of power is detected, such as power
form an interior, hood or trunk light. |
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Motion sensing device. Sends out sound waves above human hearing
and is activated by any disturbance in the sound wave pattern. (Note:
This alarm system can and has been activated by vibrations of passing
vehicles.) |
| — Mercury or
tilt switches. Placed in the car, it will detect any motion of the
car. (Note: Cannot be used when parked on a hill, slope or other
than flat ground.) |
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Switch lock. A key-operated electrical switch which turns the alarm
system on or off. If placed on the outside of the vehicle it should
be in an accessible location. A visible switch is an indication
that the car is alarmed, and may deter a thief. |
| — Timed delay
switch. A key-operated electrical switch that is interior-mounted
and allows a 10- to 45-second delay before the alarm is activated.
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| Additional
Tips |
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Don't leave your pink slip in the car. |
| — Have your
registration information readily available in the event your car
is stolen. |
| —
Mark all your stereo equipment with your California drivers license
number. Use an engraving tool, and record your serial number. |
| — If your car
is stolen, call the police immediately. |
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Protect Your Bicycle
A
bicycle can be stolen from just about any place, but simple precautions
can deter would-be bike thieves. Remember, most bikes that are stolen
were not locked!
The following
precautions will greatly reduce your chances of your bicycle being
stolen:
Factors
to Reduce Risk |
| —
Always lock your bicycle securely, whether you're gone for a few
minutes or a few minutes or a few hours. |
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Use a U-lock, securing both wheels and the frame to a stationary
object such as a post, fence, tree, or a bike rack. |
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For extra security, add a chain or cable with a good padlock.
Always park your bike where it can be easily seen. |
| —
Remember locking the bike itself by securing the wheel to the frame
doesn't help, because a thief can carry it away and remove the lock
later. |
| —
If you spend hard-earned money for security devices, USE THEM every
time you leave your bike unattended. |
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Report suspicious persons or anyone loitering around bike racks
for no apparent reason. |
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Protect Your Purse or Backpack
More
crimes against people are committed on the street than any other
place.
The thief is
usually a minor under the age of twenty-one. Most purse snatchers
are males; however, females are also a threat. Many purse snatches
are committed solely to finance narcotics addictions. In many cases,
the purse snatcher is riding a bicycle. He usually approaches from
behind, in a hit-and-run manner, catching you off guard. He will
usually strike when you are walking home, or to and from your car,
or when you are waiting for transportation. A purse snatcher might
even ask the time or for directions to make you drop your guard
or to preoccupy you.
The following
precautions will greatly reduce your chances of being victimized:
Factors
to Reduce Risk |
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If at all possible, don't carry a purse. |
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When possible, carry your wallet, keys, and other valuables on your
person, or in an inside pocket or other suitable place, rather than
your purse. Your purse should be used to carry brushes, combs, make-up,
etc. |
| —
Credit cards and checks should be carried instead of cash. Maintain
a record of the account numbers at home. Practice carrying only
the cards you will be using. |
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Carry a shoulder bag securely between your arm and body away from
traffic. |
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If you are wearing a coat, carry a purse worn over the shoulder,
but under the coat. |
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Watch your surroundings. Be alert for suspicious persons especially
around banks, stores, streets and your home. |
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At night, stay in well lighted areas and avoid walking close to
shrubbery, dark doorways or other places of concealment. |
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Practice "Buddy Shopping", and shop with a friend when possible.
When walking in twos, place your purse between you and your friend.
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Carry a clutch bag unsnapped and upside down between your arm and
body with any valuables in the zippered compartment. If someone
attempts to steal your purse, loosen your grip, thus allowing the
contents to fall to the ground. |
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Consider a "fanny pack" whenever possible. |
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Don't carry large amounts of money. The first rule is to limit your
losses. Don't carry more than you can easily afford to lose. |
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Don't carry unnecessary valuables in your purse or backpack. |
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Don't let your purse hang loosely in your hand. |
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Don't carry a lethal weapon; it could be used against you. |
| —
If attacked, don't fight. Surrender the purse or backpack. It can
be replaced; you cannot be. Notify police immediately after an attack.
If there is a witness, ask that person to stay until police arrive. |
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Contact Information
Campus Law Enforcement
(662) 720-7160
(662) 720-7576
hdbearden@nemcc.edu
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