NAP- Neighborhood Alliance of Pawtucket

Ready.gov Emergency Prep. & Crime Prevention Tips

Summertime Special Prevention Tips

Pawtucket Police Department

Crime Prevention Tips for the Summer

With the summer months approaching, the Community-Oriented Policing Unit of the Pawtucket Police Department would like to offer the following crime prevention and safety tips for residents.

If you leave your residence to do yard work, enjoy a BBQ, or just enjoying your back yard make sure that your entrance doors are securely locked along with making sure not to leave valuables that can easily be seen from the windows outside.

Sheds and Garages: Lock 'Em Up Pawtucket Police Department wants to remind residents to lock their sheds and garages. Officials say the best deterrent to keep thieves from stealing your property is a lock and key. Don't assume you are safe from these unwanted people just because you are at home.

Oftentimes, burglars watch and wait to see where you are and what you are doing. Sheds and garages are often left open and unattended as we do yard work or other outdoor activities. The thief is counting on us to become lax in our security.

To avoid losing valuables, remember to close and lock doors to your garage, shed and home. This is especially true if you are in the front yard and the storage area is in the back. It takes almost no time for a thief to come and go with your property.

Take the time to reacquaint yourself with your old neighbors and meet the new ones. Why not suggest a neighborhood watch to protect and watch out for one another's property. Let your neighbors know when a suspicious person has been spotted in your area. Neighbors working together for each other's wellbeing are the foundation for a happy community.

Make life difficult for a burglar, use locks and keys to protect your property. If you see a suspicious person or notice an unusual situation around your house or that of a neighbor, call 911.

Keep Patio Doors Locked

This time of year we all like to let the fresh air into our homes. And as the warm summer months approach we need to remember some summer safety tips to avoid those pesky summer pests: burglars.

Here are a few recommendations from the Pawtucket Police Department's Burglary Unit:

Never leave a patio door unlocked while away from home. Security experts recommend a security bar placed between the sliding door and the doorjamb. These bars are often referred to as "Charlie bars." Don't assume that the latch on the door is secure enough to ward off a thief. Lock the door at night as well to keep out unwanted guests.
Always lock windows on the first floor or ground floor. This applies even if there is an enclosed or screened-in porch. It takes so little time and effort to cut through screen mesh and gain access to a home or apartment.
Always secure windows and doors in the basement. It can be easy to forget about this area of the house during the summer months when we're running in and out doing chores.
Some other areas to lock up when not in use: those sheds and garages. When not using them, lock them. Thieves often wait for residents to leave the area, if only for a moment, to raid the shed or garage. And don't forget to lock the windows of the garage too. If there is an entrance to the house through the garage, a thief can enter your residence while you are out tending to the garden or washing your car.

Enjoy all that summer has to offer but don't let your house become a target for burglars.

Got A Bike? Engrave It - Lock It Or Lose It

Bike riding and warm weather are a natural combination. But if your bike is stolen, hiking will be more your speed over the next few months.

The Pawtucket Police Department suggests all bike owners engrave their bikes. It's very simple to do and if needed, owners can go to the local precinct and borrow an engraving tool. Officers say using the ID numbers from a driver's license or Rhode Island ID card is the best way to mark your bike. Never, Never use a social security number as an ID number.

Another suggestion from officers is when storing a bike in a shed or garage, lock and attach it to a lawnmower or other heavy and bulky equipment. Thieves do break into sheds and garages. Attaching a bike to a piece of heavy equipment makes it more difficult to just walk or ride away from the area.

Before Leaving for vacation …Secure Your Residence

Make sure all the locks on the doors and windows function properly and use them.

Make sure your residence looks lived in and not empty.
Leave the shades and blinds on doors and windows in a position that you would normally have them.
Ask several neighbors to keep an eye on your residence while you are away. Leave your vacation address and telephone number with the neighbors so you can be reached in an emergency.
Make sure your smoke and burglar alarms are functioning properly and armed.
Arrange for a neighbor to pick up your deliveries: mail, newspaper, and any other packages.
Arrange for someone to maintain your yard so your home appears occupied.
Have someone place your garbage cans at the curb for normal pickup and put them away after the pickup has been made.
Make sure you have timers for lights, television, or radios so they turn on and off at the appropriate times.
Turn the ringer on the telephone down low or off. A possible intruder will not be alerted to your absence by a ringing telephone. If you can, forward your calls to your cellular phone or a trusted individual.
Leave a normal message on your answering machine; do not announce your absence on the answering machine.
Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway while you are gone so it will appear that someone is home. If you leave your car at home, park as you normally would.
Consider taking valuables that you cannot live without to a safety deposit box.
Call local police to advise them that you are on vacation.
On The Road

Try not to carry large amounts of cash; use traveler’s checks. If you must carry large sums of money do not openly display it.
Do not carry more credit cards than you will need. Keep a list of all traveler’s check numbers and credit card numbers in a safe place. Have telephone numbers to call if either are lost or stolen.
Never advertise your plans to strangers; this includes travel routes and the amount of cash you are carrying.
Do not stop for hitchhikers or stranded motorists. If you want to help, call for assistance for them.
If you suspect that someone is following you, drive to the nearest well-populated place and call 911 or use your cellular phone for emergency assistance.
Do not leave any tickets (airline, train, bus) in open view. They are as valuable as cash.
Males are advised to carry wallets in an inside pocket or the front pocket of their pants. Females should carry their purses under their arm with a firm grasp.
Mark your luggage so it is easily identified. Take pictures of your luggage so airline personnel can identify it if it is lost.
Be sure your luggage is locked and labeled with your name and telephone number. Someone can call you if your luggage is found. If you have a business address, label it on the luggage for a return address.
Hotel and Motel Security

Place all of your luggage in your room; do not leave anything in your vehicle.
Do not leave valuables in your room when you are not there; take them with you.
Keep a daily check of all your belongings.
Place extra cash, jewelry, or valuables in a hotel/motel safe.
Use the door viewer to identify anyone requesting entry into your room. Do not open the door if you do not believe the person has a legitimate reason for being in your room.
Unpack your luggage. Arrange all your belongings so that you will notice if anything is missing.

Ready.gov Emergency Prep

RESOLVE TO BE READY

READY CAMPAIGN / RESOLVE TO BE READY BACKGROUND INFORMATION


Ready Campaign

Question: What is the Ready Campaign?

Answer: Ready is a national public service advertising campaign designed to educate and empower Americans to prepare for and respond to emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. The goal of the campaign is to get the public involved and ultimately to increase the level of basic preparedness across the nation. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. Individuals can visit www.ready.gov or call 1-800-BE-READY for information about emergency preparedness.

Question: What does the Ready Campaign include?

Answer: The Ready Campaign includes a general consumer campaign called Ready America. In addition, the campaign has two extensions for special audiences. In 2004, Homeland Security and the Ad Council launched Ready Business, an extension of the Ready Campaign that focuses on business preparedness. Ready Business helps owners and managers of small to medium-sized businesses prepare their employees, operations and assets in the event of an emergency. In 2006, Homeland Security launched Ready Kids, a tool to help parents and teachers educate children, ages 8 - 12, about emergencies and how they can help get their family prepared. There are also Spanish language campaigns, Listo America, Listo Negocios and Listo Ni?±os.

Question: What is Resolve to be Ready?

Answer: As people think about their New Year’s resolutions this year, we hope they will make a resolution that is both important and easy to keep: preparing themselves, their families and their workplaces for emergencies.

Question: What resources are available for emergency preparedness?

Answer: By visiting www.ready.gov or calling 1-800-BE-READY, individuals and businesses can learn how to prepare their families and workplaces for emergencies including natural disasters and potential terrorist attacks. Free materials, including family emergency plan templates and sample business continuity plans, are available on the Web site providing Americans with the resources needed to make New Year’s resolutions that will bring piece of mind.








Question: What should be included in an emergency supply kit?
Answer: In a basic emergency supply kit, the Ready Campaign recommends including the following:
• One gallon of water per person per day, for three days – remember to include enough for your pets, too.
• At least a three-day supply of non-perishable food. Select foods that require no refrigeration, preparation or cooking and little or no water and choose foods your family will eat: ready-to-eat canned meats, peanut butter, protein or fruit bars, dry cereal or granola. Also pack a manual can opener and eating utensils
• Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a NOAA Weather Radio with tone alert and extra batteries for both
• Flashlight and extra batteries
• First aid kit
• Whistle to signal for help
• Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air and plastic sheeting and duct tape to shelter-in-place
• Moist towelettes, garbage bags and plastic ties for personal sanitation
• Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities
• Local maps
Ready also encourages an individual to think about the special needs of family members:
• Prescription medications and glasses
• Infant formula and diapers
• Pet food, extra water for your pet, leash and collar
• Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification and bank account records in a waterproof, portable container
• Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children
For a complete list of items, we encourage people to visit www.ready.gov to download a free emergency supply checklist or call 1-800-BE-READY.
Question: How can I develop a family emergency plan?

Answer: Preparing a family emergency plan is free and can help a family to stay in contact if they are separated during an emergency. Make it part of your New Year’s resolution to take a few minutes to sit down with your family and fill out the information. It will give you a peace of mind as you celebrate the New Year! For a free family emergency plan template, individuals can visit www.ready.gov.

Question: How can I stay informed about emergencies?

Answer: It’s important that you know the potential emergencies that can happen in your state, region, and community. Go to www.ready.gov and click on Ready America, then Community and States Information to find out more information about your local area.

Links

Ready.gov