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Tahlequah Police Department
Crime Prevention Tips
The Tahlequah
Police Department suggests these simple tips to assist you
in having a safe and happy
holiday season.
When Shopping:
- Be ALERT
and AWARE of your surroundings. Pay attention to who is around you & what
activities are happening. Trust your instincts; if you feel uncomfortable
with a place or person(s), get away.
- Park in
a well-lit area.
- Remember
to lock your vehicle!! Keep vehicle doors & windows locked while you are in
it & especially when you are not! A thief is looking for easy targets &
anything you can do to deter them from choosing your car, the better.
- Minimize
the number of valuables left in your vehicle and keep valuables, electronics
(including cell phones and DVDs), gifts and other “theft attractors” out of
sight.
- Protect
your purse or wallet and clean out any unnecessary items before leaving
home. Don’t carry large amounts of cash or extra credit cards. Carry only
those cards that you will need to use that day. Keep a master list of all
cards so if your wallet is stolen, they can be reported promptly to the
appropriate banking facility.
- Never
leave your purse, wallet or cell phone unattended in a public place.
- Don’t
overburden yourself with packages while shopping.
- Shop
with a buddy – there is safety in numbers.
-
Role-play with children about what should happen in the event you are
separated.
- Have
your keys out and ready when you return to your vehicle.
- Do not
leave your car unattended with the motor running or with the keys in the
ignition – even for the very short time needed to do a quick errand or pay
for fuel.
- Only
make online purchases from trusted, secure websites. Look for “https” in the
web address to verify security.
At Home:
- Make
sure all doors & windows have secondary locks (window pins, deadbolts,
dowels, etc.) and use them!
- Ensure
that dark areas and entrances have outdoor lights that are turned on after
dark or that are activated by sensors.
- Place
gifts where they can’t be seen from the outside.
- Avoid
opening the door to strangers. Legitimate delivery people will be able to
show identification.
-
Investigate charities before donating by calling the Secretary of State’s
office or the charity’s main office.
- Be sure
to mail cards with money, checks or gift certificates from the Post Office
or a blue US Postal Service collection box.
- If
traveling, use timers for lights and radios while you’re away. Ask a trusted
friend or neighbor to watch your home. Remember to make arrangements for
mail and newspapers.
When Driving:
-
Recognize that the holidays can cause stress – keep emotions under control
while driving. Give other drivers plenty of space and always leave yourself
a route to avoid an accident.
- If you
attend parties where alcohol is served, remember to use a designated driver.
- Prepare
for winter driving conditions and equip your vehicle with cold weather
emergency supplies.
- Minimize
distractions such as talking on a cell phone.
- Take
frequent breaks to avoid fatigue, especially when driving long distances. If
you get tired, stop and rest until you’re able to drive with full attention.
- Buckle
up! That means passengers and kids, too!!
- Be
patient! Give yourself extra time for travel, especially in snow or rain.
Even in dry conditions, traffic during the holidays is heavier than normal,
and it will take longer than you expect to get around.
After the holidays:
- Pay
close attention to bills and report any unauthorized charges.
-
Photograph and record the serial numbers of new items and add them to your
inventory.
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