Emily Stone's Crime Watch Tips: July 2010

Saturday, July 31, 2010

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #15 - Out for the Night on the Town

There are times that we find ourselves going out at night for fun or a special celebration. You could be going to a restaurant or nightclub to meet friends. Or, you could be meeting someone for the first time in a public place.

It’s so important to remember that even though you’re in a pubic place, you still need to be alert and vigilant about what’s going on around you. This is true for both women and men.

Here are some simple safety tips to remember as you venture out into the nightlife for fun and entertainment:

. Be sure to tell someone, friend, neighbor, or family member where you’re going.

· DO NOT accept drinks from someone if you didn’t see the drink being prepared.

· DO NOT leave your drink unattended for ANY period of time -- EVER.

· DO NOT leave your purse or handbag unattended for ANY period of time.

· Carry a cell phone and always have enough money for a taxi ride home if necessary.

· If at all possible, arrange a buddy system with a friend to keep watch of one another.
· Know where all emergency and/or fire exits are in the building. Know your outside surroundings, such as streets, landmarks, etc.

· If you plan on drinking, ALWAYS have a designated driver or take a taxi.

· NEVER leave a bar or nightclub with stranger.

· If you’re being a harassed or if something doesn’t seem right to you don’t hesitate to report it to a security guard, nightclub bouncer, or the police.Most importantly…

Have a great time!

Just take a few moments to remember these tips before you venture out for some fun nightlife and pass these tips on to friends, family, and coworkers.

Jennifer Chase
Author & Criminologist

Friday, July 23, 2010

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #14 (Stalking)

In my novels Compulsion and Dead Game, Emily Stone relentlessly searches down the bad guys. You could say that she is stalking them in order to bring them to justice.

But what does stalking really mean?

The definition of stalking is the act of following prey stealthily.

Stalking is caused by a chronic obsessive personality. Anyone can become a victim or a stalker. It has been estimated that one out of every twelve women will be a victim of a stalker at some point in their lives.

What happens when someone is stalking another person? There are stalking laws in place for this type of unwanted attention.

The California Stalking Law Penal Code Section 646.9 is one of the strongest stalking laws in the country. No Longer should victims of stalking be turned away by law enforcement and told, "come back when he actually hurts you." From 1991 through 1993, stalking was a misdemeanor punishable by only one year in county jail when no restraining order was in place. Under the current law, a first-time stalker can be sentenced to a felony charge and sentenced to State Prison for up to three years. If a court or restraining order is in effect, the stalker can be sentenced up to four years in prison or if he has previously been convicted of felony stalking or other related crimes, he could face up to five years in prison.

I’ve had first hand experience of being stalked by someone and it was a life altering experience for me. Some of you may already know that I lived next door to a violent sociopath for 2 ½ years that threatened my life weekly, sometimes daily. The good news is that I turned that unfortunate situation into a positive one by using my experience, or inspiration for lack of a better description, in my fictional writing and that’s how Compulsion came to life. The bad news was that I had to move and this person continued to stalk me at work and even found my new residence. Everything finally worked out. I’m safe now and this person went to jail for a crime of aggravated assault on someone he knew, but unfortunately he’s out free again.

I wanted to share some stalker warning signs.

Stalkers usually have two or more of these personality traits:

1. Impulsive

2. Obsessive

3. Selfish

4. Won’t take “NO” for an answer.

5. Has few friends.

6. Low self-esteem.

In my situation, this person was also highly intelligent, clever, had violent tendencies, had one or two so-called friends that would follow his orders, and he felt that everyone had “wronged” him in some way.

The best approach to stop a stalker is to nip it in the bud, but this isn’t always the simplest approach.

What you can do to STOP the stalker:

1. NEVER let the stalker know that he’s having any effect on you. I know this doesn’t sound easy, but it’s important.

2. Make sure you have a Caller ID on your phone.

3. If you’re being harassed by phone, make sure that it’s connected to a recorder to gather evidence. Get a second line (unlisted) for your trusted friends or use a cell phone.

4. Have friends, family, neighbors, and coworkers help to shield you.

5. Get a camera cell phone (most cell phones have this feature now) and document everything and every encounter with this person.

6. Change your schedule to make it more difficult to follow you.

7. Drive around the block a couple of times before returning home. If you are being followed or threatened drive straight to a police station. Never confront this person alone.

8. Plan an escape route in case your stalker enters your home, follows you on foot, or follows you in the car. It’s important to plan out what you would do in an escape and don’t let anxiety and fear cloud your judgment.

9. Find out all your options with restraining orders. Talk to your local police department and file a report. Law enforcement is there to help us. From my own personal experience, the police were helpful and supportive of my situation.

10. Contact an attorney or your local police department for more information.

Be safe and alert at ALL times. Don’t feel like you have to suffer through this alone. Tell friends, family, and law enforcement. You're not alone!

Jennifer Chase
Author & Criminologist

Monday, July 19, 2010

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #13 - Holiday and Shopping Safety

This is my heroine Emily Stone’s favorite time of the year. She has some precautions to ensure that everyone has a joyful and festive holiday.

This is the time where many of us are busy, with not only everyday things, but with shopping, holiday decorating, parties, and much more. This is also the time where we need to be careful in protecting our families and homes from burglaries, identity theft, and assault.

The holidays can be a time where potential criminals use it to their advantage because often times we are distracted and staying vigilant.

Here are a few simple reminders for home and shopping safety during the holiday season.

Home safety:
1. Be extra cautious about locking ALL windows and doors when you leave the house, even if you’re gone for only a few minutes. Also, make sure that your windows and doors are properly bolted for added security.

2. Be careful of large displays of holiday gifts visible through windows and doors of your home. This can be too tempting for “would be” burglars.

3. If you’re leaving your home for any extended length of time, have a neighbor, friend, or family member keep an eye on your home and pick up newspapers and mail.

4. Have indoor and outdoor lights on an automatic timer.

5. If possible, leave a radio or television on to give the appearance of an occupied home.

Shopping Safety:

1. Try to do your holiday shopping during daylight hours, if possible. If you have to shop at night, go with a friend or family member.

2. Dress comfortably and casually, and avoid wearing expensive jewelry.

3. Try NOT to carry a purse or wallet, if possible. Always carry your driver’s license or ID card, checks or credit cards that you plan on using for your shopping excursion. Try to keep these items in a front pocket.

4. Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Try to pay for purchases with a check or credit card whenever possible.

5. If your credit card(s) are lost or stolen, notify the credit card issuer immediately. Also, if it has been stolen, notify the police and file a report. Make sure to keep a record of ALL your credit card numbers in a safe place at home.

6. ALWAYS stay alert to your surroundings.

7. Avoid overloading yourself with packages. Make sure that you have a clear visibility and are able to move around freely.

8. Keep packages out of plain view in your car. Try to put them in the trunk or out of plain sight.

9. Beware of strangers approaching you for ANY reason. This time of year where there are many “con artists” that will try to distract your attention to take your belongings or money.

Most of all, have a wonderful holiday season with family and friends.

Jennifer Chase
Author & Criminologist

Wednesday, July 14, 2010

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #12

Citizens Unite!
If you are a victim of ANY crime – Report It!
If you’re robbed on the street, someone breaks into your house, or you’ve been swindled – Report It!
It has been reported from law enforcement agencies that one out of every two crimes goes unreported. It’s either because victims don’t think that the police can do anything about it or they just don’t want to get involved.

It can’t be stressed enough that if crimes go unreported then the criminals are going to continue to operate without any interference. Reporting ALL crimes will help law enforcement to assign the appropriate number of officers to troubled locations, and information provided by victims and witnesses can lead to the arrest and prosecution of a criminal.

Your local law enforcement agency needs your help to fight crime.

1. Report ALL crimes to your local police department.

2. No fact is too trivial.

3. Report ANY and ALL suspicious activities in your neighborhood.

4. Get help immediately or call 9-1-1.

5. If the crime just occurred or is in progress, call 9-1-1.

6. Call a doctor, if necessary.

7. Call a friend or family member.

8. Try to remember ALL details, such as clothing, hair color, vehicle descriptions, identifiable marks or features, etc.

9. Try not to destroy any possible evidence.

10. Keep important emergency and non-emergency numbers available, such as victim’s services, crime stoppers, police department, vehicle abatement, animal control, etc.

For more information about crime and emergencies, please don’t hesitate to contact your local police department or community service officer.

Jennifer Chase
Author & Criminologist

Monday, July 5, 2010

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #10 - Family and Home Safety

Emily wanted me to talk about a safety issue that many people have expressed their recent concerns - home security and what to do to keep your family and home safe from burglaries or home invasions.

There are two important aspects to remember for home security against potential break-ins: secure you home with proper hardware and electronics, and make sure that your entire family ALWAYS uses them correctly. Follow these guidelines with no exceptions.

Remember, if you come home and your house has been broken into, DO NOT GO INSIDE. Call the police immediately and wait for them to arrive, away from the residence or at a neighbor’s house.

There are 4 basic types of burglars and home invaders:

1. Professionals – these are the most sophisticated type of burglars or “cat burglars” and they generally are interested in businesses or extremely wealthy homes.

2. Opportunists – these are generally juvenile delinquents and pose a medium amount of danger.

3. Thrill-Seekers – these are also generally juvenile delinquents and pose a medium amount of danger. A higher danger potential are gang members, voyeurs, rapists, and murderers.

4. Drug Addicts – these are unskilled, unpredictable, individuals usually high on drugs. Basically, these types of individuals commit up to 90 percent of all burglaries and home invasions. Since they are desperate, irrational and prone to violence, they are very dangerous.

What simple precautions can you do to protect you and your family from being a victim of burglary or home invasions?

1. Install door reinforcements.
2. Install window reinforcements.
3. Install garage and yard reinforcements.
4. Install simple home electronics.
5. Install an alarm system.
6. Good neighbors: know your neighbors and watch out for one another.
7. Join or start a Neighborhood Watch Group.

These are simple preventative measures to keep in mind when you’re home:

1. Keep your windows and doors locked. About half of all home invasions happen because of unlocked doors or windows. If you’re outdoors gardening or at a neighbor’s house, remember to lock your door and carry a key with you. Be careful where you hide a house key and don’t make it obvious.

2. Never blindly open the door when someone knocks or rings the doorbell. This can be a burglar practice called a “push in”.

3. Avoid a “scam in” and never open the door to a stranger no matter what they say. These types of scam artists are master manipulators.

Pay attention to what goes on in your neighborhood. If you see anything that looks suspicious or looks out of place, report it to the local police immediately.

Be sure to talk to your children about home safety strategies and implement them into your daily routine.

For more information on how to keep your home and family safe from break-ins or home invasions, contact your local law enforcement agency or security specialist.

Jennifer Chase
Author & Criminologist