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home / Public Safety
PCSO offers crime prevention tips for homes and vehicles
Received from Pinal County Sheriff's Office
Tuesday, October 16, 2012
Florence, AZ -- The prevalence and potential of criminal activity as it relates to residential burglaries as well as crimes related to vehicles is always of concern to citizens. Based upon statistics and common trait behavior of criminals who use these as opportunities to victimize residents, it is important to know some basic tools to prevent yourself or a friend from being victimized. Follow these basic tips:
- Never leave anything of value inside your vehicles: Your vehicle is a mobile device and you should always consider that no location is a safe location for it. Never leave items such as keys, wallets, computers, purses, jewelry, garage door openers, personal information (license, bank cards, credit cards, cellular phones), and any other item that can be used against you (such as identity theft or fraud) or used to gain access into your residence.
- Be aware of Carports, Garage Doors, and Open Areas as Potentials: Your residence, though protected by criminal law statutes governing damage, trespass, and burglary, can easily be accessed by those who do not follow the law. Leaving garage doors open, hiding keys outside to the residence, leaving gates unlocked, lack of security devices, and unsecure windows are just invitations to criminals who count on these poor habits to victimize the resident.
- Supply proper Lighting to Darkened Areas of your Property: Criminals do not like exposure. Having proper and strategically placed lighting will not only illuminate dark hiding spots but allow you to survey your property surroundings safely. Be sure lighting does not impair your vision but safely illuminates the suspected corners, sides, and hiding spots on your property. Use motion detector lights, timer lights, and cameras -- good choices for prevention, detection, and deterrence.
- Report Any and All Suspicious Activity: A vast majority of criminal acts, including serious crimes, go unreported due to either complacency or lack of education as to what is potentially going on. Rather than investigating the suspicious behavior yourself, call 9-1-1. Suspicious noises include but are not limited to sounds of screaming, broken glass, barking dogs, banging, yelling, gun shots, and foot steps on the roof. Suspicious behaviors includes loitering, repeated driving around your neighborhood, unknown vehicles parked near your home, speeding vehicles, persons unidentified waiting in vehicles or on the side of residences, buildings, or alleyways
- Get involved in your Neighborhood: There are many programs that you and your family can get involved with, as well as getting to know your neighbors. The civic duty to protect and serve is not only a part of Law Enforcement but is extended to the citizens to educate themselves and assist your Sheriff’s Office and Deputies fight crime in your area. It is the Pinal County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) mission to provide the most Professional Public Service possible, and they provide many volunteer services and programs that can assist you in starting a program in your area such as Block Watch, Getting Arizona Involved in Neighborhoods (GAIN), Neighborhood Watch, POSSE, Explorers, Safety and Crime Prevention Fairs, Victim Services, and Citizens On Patrol (COP). So if you would like information on joining or starting a Block Watch/ Neighborhood Watch in your area or would like to join one of our several volunteer services, feel free to contact the PCSO office and visit their website at www.pinalcountyaz.gov/departments/sheriff/Pages/Home or contact Dan Lovelace directly via e-mail at daniel.lovelace@pinalcountyaz.gov for more information.
Sheriff Babeu stated, “The majority of the crimes investigated by our office are reported by the citizens we serve. Residents are encouraged to report suspicious activity and criminal activity as soon as it occurs. Working together, we can all make Pinal County a safer place for our families.”
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