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Part 11: What to Do When You're a Crime
Victim
Here are some tips on what to do when you unfortunately happen
to be the victim of a crime:
911 SYSTEM
The 911 telephone system is standard nationwide to enable callers
to reach emergency services by phone with a minimum of difficulty.
If you have an emergency involving the safety of life or property,
you are encouraged to make use of the system. In most areas,
you may dial 911 from a pay phone without the need for coins.
If your area has enhanced 911
with automatic number identification and automatic location identification,
your name, address and telephone number will be displayed on
a screen at the 911 operator's position when the connection is
made. Help can be dispatched to your location even if you don't
get a chance to say a word!
BURGLARY
If you arrive at your home or business and feel that it has been
burglarized, DO NOT ENTER, but go to another location and call
the police. Let the police search the property to make sure that
no suspect is still present. Upon entering your home or business,
do not touch things unnecessarily as you may disturb or destroy
fingerprint and other evidence. Inform the police of anything
that has been moved from its original position so that it can
be checked for prints. Notify the police if you find anything
that is not yours that may have been left behind by the burglar
such as tools, clothing, etc. (Driver's licenses and other identification
have been left behind by burglars before!)
Be prepared to provide the police
with serial numbers and a complete description of all missing
property. Tell the police if you have engraved any of the items
with your driver's license or other personalized number.
ROBBERY
You've heard it before and now here it is again: Never resist
if you are the victim of a robbery. Do exactly as you are told
to do in order to minimize your chances of being injured and
to speed the departure of your assailant before he gets other
ideas. The assailant, in most cases, doesn't want to hang around
much longer than you want him to.
Your money and other valuables
can hopefully be replaced. If they can't be replaced don't let
that thought cause you to hesitate. You certainly cannot be replaced.
Try to obtain a good description of the suspect(s) and the direction
and mode (on foot, vehicle) of escape.
It's always a good idea to have
a second billfold with a few dollars and a few important looking
cards in it to give to an attacker should the need arise. Keep
your real cash and cards in an interior pocket not easily accessible
by the robber. Do not resist any attempt the attacker may make
to search your pockets, however.
CON GAMES
The object of any con game is to cause you to part with your
money or other thing of value. Most con games are initiated by
people who approach you on the street or call on you at your
home. Be suspicious of ANY plan, idea, scheme, business deal
or whatever that requires you to part with your money on short
notice.
If you feel you have been the
victim of a con game or an illegal business practice, notify
the police. Do not be embarrassed or hesitant to tell the authorities
for fear of ridicule. The sooner you notify the police the greater
your chances of recovering your property. You may not be the
only victim of whatever group is operating, and your statements
and those of other victims may help in apprehending the suspects.
HIT AND RUN ACCIDENT
If you are involved in a traffic accident and the other driver
leaves the scene, immediately try to see and remember or record
the license plate number and description of the vehicle and the
driver. You may only have a few seconds to do this. Also try
to notice where the damage is located on his vehicle. If you
can SAFELY do so, and your vehicle is not disabled, and no one
can do it for you, follow the suspect for a short distance to
get the license plate number if you were not able to get it at
the scene. The suspect will probably be exceeding the speed limit
so do not get involved in anything resembling a pursuit. Don't
compound the problem by committing traffic violations and causing
another accident for which you may be held responsible. If you
cannot get the information in a short distance, return to the
scene and notify the police. If other motorists are nearby, try
to find a volunteer to follow the suspect to get the license
number.
Ask witnesses to remain or at
least to leave their name and address and a written description
of the suspect vehicle and driver.
Be suspicious of drivers who
do stop following the accident but ask you or offer you money
not to call the police. This should alert you to immediately
start recording license plate and other information. These drivers
may decide to leave quickly.
Contact a crime prevention specialist
at your local law enforcement agency. They will provide you with
the latest information on crime prevention. Ask about an on-site
crime prevention survey of your home or business. Also ask if
your agency has a program to loan out engraving tools. If so,
borrow one and mark your valuables with your driver's license
number or whatever number your agency recommends.
These articles are reprinted
with permission from Visec
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