Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #20 (Facebook)

One of the most common social network questions I hear is about Facebook. Is it really safe? It’s a great place to socialize with family and friends, and network with other professionals. I personally use this social network for getting back in touch with friends and family as well as promoting my books.

Here is a helpful link for safety information regarding general safety and safety information for teens, parents, educators, and law enforcement. Read it before you decide to open a Facebook account.

http://www.facebook.com/help/?safety=parents#!/help/?safety

• Keep in mind these simple, helpful tips.
• Ask questions and learn about how Facebook works before you open an account.
• Use the privacy settings. Check back periodically to make sure that your settings are what you want. Facebook updates all the time, make sure that your account is protected and your personal information isn’t available for everyone to see.
• Change the privacy setting on the search feature.
• Change the privacy setting on your Facebook applications.
• Utilize the limited profile list. Allow “only” friends to see your profile.
• Don’t post ANY personal information that you don’t want the world to see.
• Be wary of clicking on any ads.
• No one will ever ask for your password. Don't give it out. It's a good idea to change your password every three months as a safety precaution.
• Talk to your kids about safety and protecting personal information. It’s a good idea to make sure that you’re a friend of your children to monitor who is contacting them.
• If you or anyone you know is being harassed or threatened, report it immediately to local law enforcement.
• Don’t be quick to respond and accept “friends” in distress or asking for money. Verify the source and call them in person.
• Stay informed and vigilant.

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

Emily Stone's Crime Watch Tip # 19 - Neighborhood Watch Groups

Police Departments across the country are learning that community participationin anti-crime programs is essential. One of the most effective ways to promote citizens interactionwith police is sharing of information. Citizen groups determine specific needs or problems and then share this information with local police.

The Neighborhood Watch concept is designed to target specific geographical areas and to assist citizens in these areas to;

• Establish and organizational structure and create an information sharing network.


• Help to introduce neighbors and create social ties that will help them work together.


• Allow police to train citizens on how to be proactive by preventing crime and how to recognize and report criminal activities.


• Access information and assistance from police and of the Government agencies that can help improve living conditions.


• Provide the community with a strong unified voice to inform community leaders on programs and actions that the people support.

For more information contact your local police precinct and see what programs they have available.

Also, many areas now have ways that you can inform the Police of strange circumstances in your neighborhoodthrough the PC, Phone, and even by sending a Text Message remaining confidential. This system, if available,works very well and many crimes have been prevented with this program.

Never try and be a hero, if something does not look right or you think you hear gunshots call the Police immediately. Do not think that someone else is making the call. The more calls the Police receive the more they will realizethe potential higher crime areas.

Working together as a community is important and adding on the Police and keeping them informed will help your neighborhood be a safer place to live.