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Friday, November 26, 2010

Emily Stone's Crime Watch Tip 23 - Neighborhood Watch



One of the most common questions that Emily receives is about neighborhood watch. Many people want to know how to start one. This is a great question. I think many will be surprised how easy and fun it is to start a neighborhood watch.

First, check out a great website about getting started. It will give you an overview and some things to think about. www.USAOnWatch.org

  • Determine the area you want to organize (the larger the better).
  • Talk to surrounding neighbors and find out how many want to assist and participate (8-10 households is a good number).
  • Set up a free neighborhood watch website to coordinate your efforts.

Here are five basic steps to get you started and motivated:

1. Contact your local police/sheriff’s department to schedule speakers for your neighborhood watch group. Make sure you pick a location to accommodate your group and presentation (grange, hall, school, etc.).
2. Invite your neighbors. Get a name, phone number, and email list. Send out flyers about two to three weeks before your presentation meeting and then follow up with a “reminder” a couple of days before.
3. Prepare a neighborhood map. This map should have the houses, names, and phone numbers of each household.
4. Benefits of the presentation. You will learn how to develop a plan of action, crime prevention techniques, personal safety, how to report suspicious activity, meet your neighbors and develop a strong communication network, order neighborhood watch signs, and recruit your coordinator and block captains.
5. Maintaining your neighborhood watch plan. Keep your plan on track with meetings, neighborhood outings, and a monthly newsletter, website or blog.

Jennifer Chase
Award Winning Author & Criminologist

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.blogspot.com
Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com
Crime Watch: www.emilystonecrimewatch.blogspot.com
Book & Crime Talk
: www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Tuesday, November 16, 2010

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #22 (Winter Safety)


It’s getting to be that time of year again – yes, I mean winter. There are some places that have more of a severe winter than others, but everyone can benefit from a few safety tips for the upcoming season.

Fireplace Safety

  • Always use seasoned wood to help reduce creosote build up in your chimney. Creosote is highly combustible and can cause a chimney fire.
  • Fireplace chimneys should be inspected and cleaned annually.
  • NEVER use flammables or combustibles to start fires in your fireplace.
  • ALWAYS dispose of fireplace ashes in a metal container and store them away from the house for at least seven days.
Carbon Monoxide Safety

  • Carbon Monoxide (CO) poisoning can be difficult at times to distinguish between having a cold or flu. If undetected, high levels in the home can cause severe illness or death. INSTALL an approved Carbon Monoxide (CO) detector within ten feet of every bedroom or sleeping area. This is a law in many states.
  • Check your Carbon Monoxide (CO) and smoke detectors seasonally or during the daylight savings times.
  • Make sure all fuel-burning appliances are installed properly and working according to manufacture’s guidelines.
  • Have combustion appliances inspected every year.
  • Install an exhaust fan, vented to outside over any gas stove.
  • Never use your cooking stove to heat your home.
  • Don’t sleep in any room with an unvented gas or kerosene space heater.

Winter Driving Safety

  • Clear and defrost windows completely before driving.
  • Consider new tires. Tire tread can improve acceleration, braking, and handling.
  • Remember overpasses, ramps, and bridges will freeze before the roadway. Drive with caution.
  • Slow down! Decreasing speed will increase your handling ability and give you an opportunity to avoid most accidents.

Enjoy your winter activities! Have a safe and fun holiday season.



Jennifer Chase
Award Winning Author & Criminologist

Blog: http://authorjenniferchase.blogspot.com/
Website: http://jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Crime Watch: http://emilystonecrimewatch.blogspot.com/
Book & Crime Talk: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase

Monday, November 1, 2010

Emily Stone's Crime Watch Tip 21 - Survival Signal Awareness


It’s true that you can deter a potentially dangerous situation by just being aware and conscious of your surroundings. Try to read between the lines. I’ve actually practiced this a few times. I find that if you’re confident, aware, focused, use appropriate eye contact, and don’t show any fear, you’re many times more likely to avoid being targeted as a victim or to get caught up in something uncertain.

There are many books available that talk about how to use your survival signals to help protect us from violence. I wanted to share some highlights that I found interesting. I can’t express enough that we need to pay attention to that “inner voice” alerting you to something that doesn’t appear or feel right. Of course, this isn’t always a potentially dangerous situation. It can be an uncomfortable or a high stress situation.

There are many messengers of intuition that are worthy of your attention. Stop and acknowledge them, think about what’s behind these feelings.

Fear
Apprehension
Suspicion
Doubt
Gut feelings
Hunches
Curiosity
Anxiety
Wonder
Persistent thoughts
Nagging feelings

According to the book The Gift of Fear by Gavin De Becker, there are seven survival signals we need to be aware of when placed in uncertain, new, or potentially dangerous situations. Learn to look between the actions and pay close attention to your intuitions.

Forced Teaming

This technique is an effective way to manipulate a situation of premature trust, such as “we’re in the same boat”. The detectable signal of “forced teaming” is the projection of a shared experience.

Charm & Niceness

Think of charm, such as rapport, is having a motive. Now the difference between “charm” and “charming” can be a bit deceiving. Look behind the person’s charm. Most of the time it will be harmless, but other times there can be a manipulation beneath it.

Too Many Details

It has been studied that when someone wants to deceive you, they give you too many details. Commonly, when people are telling the truth, they don’t feel a need for extra details of a situation.

Typecasting

This involves a slight insult to warrant an easy refute. For example, a man stops a woman and says to her “You’re probably too snobbish to talk to me”, hoping to get a rebuttal response. A potential rapist or mugger wants to avert your attention from the situation.

Loan Sharking

This is classic example of someone using this technique that you owe them something, which makes it difficult to ask them to leave you alone. Criminals use this technique as the kindly stranger. Be aware and read between the intentions.

Unsolicited Promise

This is one of the most reliable signals where a stranger makes a promise and most likely has a questionable motive. Take a good look at the situation.

Discounting the Word “No”

This is a fairly self-explanatory technique to observe. If someone doesn’t take “no” for answer, there is most likely another motivation involved.


Jennifer Chase
Award Winning Author & Criminologist

Blog: http://authorjenniferchase.blogspot.com/
Website: http://jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Crime Watch: http://emilystonecrimewatch.blogspot.com/
Book & Crime Talk: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase