Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #29 (Campus Safety)

To ensure your personal safety, it is considered to be a shared responsibility. It is important to think and act in ways to increase your personal safety, such as on a college campus.

Here are a few things to remember to guard yourself when you move around freely on any college campus during the day or at night.

· Use well-lit areas when walking at night. These areas should be well-traveled and open routes to your destination. Travel these same areas even in the daytime.

· If at all possible, don’t walk alone at night. Find a friend, walk in groups, or have someone meet you at a well-lit area. If you feel uneasy and are alone, contact the campus security for an escort.

· Let a friend or even a professor know if your routine changes for any reason.

· Familiarize yourself with emergency call phones around campus.

· Plan ahead of your routes going to class, library, and events.

· Don’t go to an ATM at night.

· Walk assertively, be alert to everything around you. Dress appropriately for movement, wear low-heeled shoes, and don’t carry too many bags or packages.

· Have your car keys in hand before leaving any building. Get into your vehicle quickly and lock your doors immediately.

· Don’t prop outside doors open that should be locked.

· Carry a whistle or other noise-making device to alert other if there’s a problem.

· Police advise saying “No” to requests for money from strangers and avoid confrontation.

· If you feel threatened for any reason, contact the police or campus security.

· Report ALL suspicious activity to police or campus security.

· Trust your instincts!


Jennifer Chase
Award Winning Author & Criminologist

Blog: www.authorjenniferchase.blogspot.com/
Website: www.jenniferchase.vpweb.com/
Crime Watch: http://emilystonecrimewatch.blogspot.com/
Book & Crime Talk: http://www.blogtalkradio.com/jennifer-chase
Books: Compulsion = Dead Game = Silent Partner = Screenwriting

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #26 (Family & Pets)

Winter is a time of year that we need to be careful and prepare simple safety tips. This year has been a particularly cold winter in so many places. Here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Prepare your home and family:

• Review and update your family emergency plan. This is a great time to replenish your emergency supply kits, batteries, and emergency information.
• Have extra blankets on hand.
• Winterize your home, barn, and any other structures that provide shelter for your family, livestock, pets, or equipment.
• Have a sufficient supply of heating fuel.
• Insulate pipes and allow faucets to drip during the cold weather to avoid freezing.·
• Learn how to shut off water valves in case the pipes burst.
• Move plants inside or cover with frost coverings or blankets.
• Keep fire extinguishers full and on hand and make sure everyone in the house knows how to use them.
• DO NOT bring heating devices into the house that are intended for outdoor use. They can quickly produce carbon monoxide.

Prepare your pets:

• Keep cats indoors during the cold weather. Sometimes outdoor cats can sleep under the hoods of cars during the cold weather. Be sure to check or tap on the hood before getting into your vehicle.
• Don’t let your dog off leash on snow or ice (especially during a snow storm) – they can lose their sense of smell and this risks a chance of injury or they can become lost. Make sure you have ID tags on them.
• Be sure to thoroughly wipe off their stomachs and legs after coming in from the snow. There can be dangerous substances like antifreeze that has become encrusted in ice.
• Don’t shave your dog in winter.
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in the car during cold weather. A car can be like a refrigerator.
• Make sure your faithful companion has a warm place to sleep with a cozy bed, warm blanket, or pillow.
  
  

Recognizing symptoms of exposure, seek medical attention if:

• Confusion, dizziness, exhaustion and shivering are signs of hypothermia.
• Gray, white, or yellow skin discoloration, numbness, or waxy skins are symptoms of frostbite.
• In case of overexposure to freezing temperatures, remove wet clothing and immediately warm the body with a blanket or warm fluids. Avoid caffeine or alcohol.
  
  
  

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’s Crime Watch – Tip #25 (Home Safety)

The one place that everyone should feel safe is at home.

Sometimes, we forget that when we’re in the safety of our home to keep vigilant and alert, especially when we are coming or going. This festive time of year with the holidays, everyone should be even more aware of what’s going on around them.

Ladies, here are some important safety precautions to remember at home. However, everyone should be aware of these tips too.

1. Always have your key ready before you get to your front door and pay attention to what’s around you.

2. Keep ALL windows and doors locked at all times when you’re away from your residence no matter what the temperature is outside.

3. Keep your front entrance area well lit, replace light bulbs regularly, and make sure that fixtures are in good working order. If possible, have motion lights installed in addition to the regular outside lights.

4. If you arrive home and find your front door open: DO NOT GO INSIDE, call the police immediately from your cell phone, neighbor’s house, or pay phone.

5. If you live in an apartment, list only your last name and first initial on your mailbox.

6. Don’t buzz someone in to your building or apartment complex unless you know them.

7. The same goes for holding the door open for someone that you don’t know that has been waiting. Don’t let anyone into your building or apartment complex that you don’t know.

8. If a stranger needs to use your phone in an emergency, keep them out, and offer to make the call for them.

9. If you ever have ANY doubt or feel threatened in any way, call the police. Report anything that seems suspicious to the police immediately.

These are just a few important safety precautions to remember when you’re at home, especially when you’re alone. Everyone should always feel safe and secure inside their own home.

Have a wonderful, joyous, and safe 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

Novels By Author Jennifer Chase:

"Compulsion" - Part of the Emily Stone Series (Thriller)
"Award Winning Dead Game" -Part of the Emily Stone Series (Thriller)

Newly released "Silent Partner" (Cop Thriller)

All books are available both in paperback and kindle format!

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

Readers Favorite 2010 Winners Announced, "Dead Game" won Bronze Award for Fiction/Thriller!

I’m thrilled to receive this award. What a great way to start my day. Thank you Readers Favorite!

"Dead Game"

An Emily Stone Novel

In this Video Game, ‘Game Over’ Means You’re Dead

In her independent efforts to catch child killers, Emily Stone discovers the evidence that the cops can’t—or won’t—uncover. Now, this covert In her independent efforts to catch child is back on the hunt for the world’s most sick and twisted murderers. But even with help from ex-police detective Rick Lopez, this time she’s facing her most dangerous opponent yet.

The headlines in the San Jose Mercury News blare updates on a serial killer who seems able to slaughter with impunity. Men, women—it doesn’t matter; the victims serve only to satisfy a perverted need to kill. The killer watches the moment of death on multiple computer screens, over and over again. The only connection is that they’re all devotees of the latest video-game craze—a sophisticated brain-puzzler called EagleEye.

When the killer goes after Lopez’s law-enforcement mentor, Lopez and Stone decide to give the cops a little extra, unsolicited help. What follows takes them deep inside a shocking high-tech world, a kind of social-networking community for serial killers. But when they start getting too close to the truth, all hell’s going to break loose.

Now, Stone and Lopez become the killer’s next target as Stone must make a difficult decision to leave the ones she loves in an all-or-nothing effort for survival. Can they stay alive long enough to blow the whistle on this unlikely perpetrator?

"Dead Game" is available in ebook, paperback, and Amazon Kindle. You can get your discounted, autographed copy by ordering directly from my blog! (On the right side of the blog)

Author and Criminologist
Jennifer Chase

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

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #8 - Safety of Our Homes

In my novel "Compulsion", Emily Stone takes her job seriously as she hunts down child abductors and serial killers, even though it’s all done anonymously and behind the scenes. One thing that she strongly advocates is public safety, and she will do whatever it takes to make sure that we are all safe.

One place that everyone should feel safe is at home.

Sometimes, we forget that when we’re in the safety of our home to keep vigilant and alert, especially when we are coming or going.

Ladies, here are some important safety precautions to remember at home. However, everyone should be aware of these tips too.

1. Always have your key ready before you get to your front door and pay attention to what’s around you.

2. Keep ALL windows and doors locked at all times when you’re away from your residence no matter what the temperature is outside.

3. Keep your front entrance area well lit, replace light bulbs regularly, and make sure that fixtures are in good working order. If possible, have motion lights installed in addition to the regular outside lights.

4. If you arrive home and find your front door open: DO NOT GO INSIDE, call the police immediately from your cell phone, neighbor’s house, or pay phone.

5. If you live in an apartment, list only your last name and first initial on your mailbox.

6. Don’t buzz someone in to your building or apartment complex unless you know them.

7. The same goes for holding the door open for someone that you don’t know that has been waiting. Don’t let anyone into your building or apartment complex that you don’t know.

8. If a stranger needs to use your phone in an emergency, keep them out, and offer to make the call for them.

9. If you ever have ANY doubt or feel threatened in any way, call the police. Report anything that seems suspicious to the police immediately.

These are just a few important safety precautions to remember when you’re at home, especially when you’re alone. Everyone should always feel safe and secure inside their own home.

Jennifer Chase
Author & Criminologist

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #6 - "Startle Factor"

Emily Stone is definitely a woman who would stand up and fight no matter what she encountered. However, in real life each person must decide on their own how they would react to a potentially dangerous situation.

What would you do?
It has been stated from various representatives of law enforcement that victims are often hurt by the “startle factor”. Victims were not paying attention to their surroundings or they were engrossed in a phone call when they were approached by the criminal element. Those individuals who responded well remained calm, collected, and logical. They basically kept a cool head and weighed their options. Some individuals are feistier than others and have averted a potentially dangerous situation that could have gone either way.

I have personally experienced a situation where I wasn’t paying attention to my surroundings in a dark, deserted parking lot. An unscrupulous individual scoped me out and planned on assaulting or robbing me, or even worse. He also had a weapon in his hand and he intended to make someone a victim. The good news, I was actually letting my dog out of my car for a quick break and the “would be” assailant didn’t notice this large black, muscular dog in the shadows that caught wind of his criminal intent. The dog put himself between me and my “would be” attacker, and then perpetrator turned and ran for his life. I learned quite a bit that night that I would never forget. Pay attention to your surroundings! Dogs are a great deterrent!

To stay calm and logical during a potentially dangerous situation, there are several things to keep in mind. Here’s a helpful list of the face-to-face factors to consider:

1.Your Wariness
How are you presenting yourself in a situation alone? Don’t be a target because you’re daydreaming, using your phone, or being timid and unsure. Use your self-confidence and alertness.

2.Your Willingness
What are you willing to do in a dangerous situation? Would you truly fight for your life and never give up?

3. Your Abilities
Ask yourself what your strategy would be if you were in a dangerous situation. Run some scenarios through your mind.

4. Your Personality
Everyone is different. Are you more of a passive or aggressive person? If you’re more of a passive person, can you step up and “fake” being assertive?

5. Type of Assailant
Quickly study the type of assailant that has approached you. Is this persona scared, confident, a lunatic, or somewhere in between?

6.The Location
Location is important. Is it an area that you know well and frequent? Familiarity and populated areas generally intimidate any potential assailant.

7. Presence of Weapon or Accomplice
You might not see any weapon or accomplice at first, or the assailant might use his weapon immediately. Weigh the situation carefully, but quickly before you react.

The most important thing to remember is to stay alert and vigilant to your surroundings. I know it seems like I keep repeating myself, but it’s extremely important. Stay informed and read through the list above and plan what you would do in certain situations. Being prepared will only further help you to stay calm and logical if any dangerous situations were to arise. As the old saying goes, “It’s better to be safe than sorry.”

Emily wants everyone to stay alert and be safe. Check out her harrowing adventures in "Compulsion" and see what she would do certain dangerous situations.

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #5

Emily Stone has some interesting ways that she fights back against crime and injustice in my novel Compulsion. She has been known to fight with punches and kicks, but she also has an uncanny ability to infer subtle clues in order to track down child pedophiles and killers.

What are victim’s options when suddenly confronted or threatened by a criminal predator?

Interestingly, there are guidelines that the FBI suggests if you are confronted in a crime situation along with a couple of other options that I’d like to share. Emily has exhibited all but one of these guidelines.

1. Posturing :If you show that you’re confident and would be a possible tough target, predators will generally wait for an easier target. Be aware of your surroundings and know where you are going. Never look unsure about your next move. This can be a signal to a would be predator. Stand up straight and look ahead and subtly around you. Confidence can carry you a long way to safety.

2. Outsmarting: Sometimes it may be possible to verbally diffuse a situation and maneuver yourself to an escape route. This requires a cool head and the ability to surmise a situation. This may not be the best technique for everyone, but it definitely has its place in some situations.

3. Fleeing: This technique falls under our primal reaction to danger as the “fight or flight” mechanism. It may seem obvious that you should run away from danger, but it might not be possible under certain conditions. Always look for an escape.

4. Surrendering: This technique may be implemented if you see an opportunity to escape at a later moment or fight.

5. Fighting: This has been referred to as “stun and run”. Basically you fight with everything you have in order to escape the situation.

It’s not always easy to anticipate what you would do in any situation, but you should be vigilant, aware, and confident in your daily activities. Emily wants everyone to be safe.

Take the thriller challenge and see if you can spot which technique Emily didn’t do in "Compulsion".

I would love to hear from you.

Interview with a California Police Sergeant About Crime and Public Safety

My novel "Compulsion" and "Dead Game" has raised some interesting questions about crime and public safety. The heroine, Emily Stone, tracks down pedophiles and serial killers, and then anonymously emails investigative information to the appropriate law enforcement agency.


It’s important to be aware of the types of crimes that are occurring in your own neighborhood and learn how to keep yourself and family safe. It’s also important to talk to your children about the potential risks and raise their awareness. Through education and awareness, we can address these crime issues to help assist law enforcement and to begin to reduce these crime risks and occurrences.

I have to admit that I had little, if any, interaction with law enforcement until I had a violent neighbor that continually threatened my life and then later conducted research for my novel. It definitely opened my eyes and perception of law enforcement and what police officers do every day.

I have a great guest that has stopped by to chat with me about crime and public safety here in California. I want to welcome Sergeant Mark Keyes from the Daly City Police Department.

Jennifer Chase: Sergeant Keyes, welcome and please tell us a little bit about yourself. How long have you been a police officer? What different areas have you worked within the police department?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: I’ve been a police officer with Daly City for the last 26 years. During that time I have worked as a K9 handler, SWAT team member and sniper, detective, and Senior Detective assigned to Robbery Homicide. Currently, I am a Patrol Division Sergeant, but I have been a Sergeant since 2001. As a Sergeant I have worked on Patrol, assigned to County Narcotics Task Force as a Special Agent Supervisor and Training Sergeant.

Jennifer Chase: What’s the most difficult part of your job? Has it changed over the years?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: The most difficult part of the job has to be the personnel issues in dealing with all of the different personalities in the department at one time is a chore, but we manage to get the job done regardless of what is going on in the officer’s lives.

My group is extremely talented and energetic. The job of police officer is a constantly evolving one. There is no one particular part of the job that is difficult as it is constantly changing. Probably the most challenging part of the job is the domestic violence situations. We are called to the scene of a situation that has been brewing over a long period of time and we are expected to resolve the issues in a relatively short period of time. It can be challenging and frustrating at the same time.

Jennifer Chase: What types of crimes do you see increasing in the community today?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: I see identity theft type of crimes growing as the economy sours. Also, property types of crimes such as burglary and auto theft are increasing.

Jennifer Chase: What are some of the concerns that you hear from residents regarding crime and public safety?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: People in general want to live in a community that is safe and free of those that would do them or their families harm, either to them personally or to their property. Gangs are an ever-increasing and ongoing problem, although my city has seen a decrease in this type of activity for the most part.

Jennifer Chase: Are there some general tips on public safety specifically for women in the home, workplace, and public locations?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: You should always be aware of your surroundings. People tend to get too wrapped up in their immediate actions and aren’t paying attention to those people that may be waiting to do them harm or steal their property. I’ve found that if you maintain a positive way of carrying yourself, head up looking around, eye contact with those you are suspicious of, and in general are confident, then you make yourself that much less of a target. At home make sure your doors and windows are locked at those times when you aren’t home or able to pay attention to things at the house (e.g. when you are sleeping). In the workplace, be aware of your surroundings and don’t be afraid to report co-workers who bother you and disrupt your ability to do what you’ve been hired to do.

Jennifer Chase: If a citizen witnesses a crime such as theft, burglary, or domestic violence, what are some of the things we can do after calling 911 to help to assist the police?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: It’s important to be a good witness, observe and report what you see to law enforcement. Don’t try to be a hero and do something that will get you hurt.

Jennifer Chase: For more violent crimes such as road rage, armed robbery, and shootings, what are some safety tips to remember? Once the incident is over, what are some important things to do to help the police in their investigation?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: Get as much information as you can about the violator and report your information to the local police. Again, don’t be a hero. Police officers are trained to handle these types of situations and you are not. We have many tools at our disposal to help us arrest the suspect and protect life and property. Most of the average citizens don’t have the training or know-how to deal with violent encounters, and those that do then become part of the problem. REPORT REPORT REPORT... I can’t stress that enough. If it is a violent encounter with a firearm then you need to get to a safe place and not get involved. Let the police deal with it and then when asked, if you saw anything, report what you saw to the investigating officers.

Jennifer Chase: And finally, I want to lighten the mood a bit. What is the funniest or most memorable call you were dispatched to in your career?

Sgt. Mark Keyes: One of the most memorable situations occurred when I was working K9. I had attempted to stop a subject wanted for a felony warrant. The subject took off running and I sent my police service dog after him. After the dog got him and as I was trying to handcuff him, the suspect punched me in the shoulder and took off running again. I sent my dog after him again and the dog grabbed him by the back of his jeans near his butt, as the subject kept running his pants were pulled down to his ankles by my dog. The suspect wasn’t wearing any underwear and it reminded me of the Coppertone girl in the ads, except this was a felony suspect who assaulted me and he was trying to get away from my dog with his pants down around his ankles with his butt showing. He didn’t get very far!

Jennifer Chase: You gotta love those K9 partners!! Thank you Sergeant Keyes for taking time out of your busy schedule to talk to me about crime and public safety. I appreciate your candid answers and you’ve provided us with some great information.

It is important to remember that you need to report everything that you’ve witnessed about a crime to the police investigators. It is also important to get involved, but first and foremost, keep yourself safe and let law enforcement handle the dangerous situations. I know that I speak for many citizens, we truly appreciate the hard work from all of the men and women of law enforcement and their perseverance to help keep our communities and families safe.

If you have any crime concerns, talk to a local police officer or community services officer. I would suggest to anyone that is interested in becoming more involved in crime prevention and safety is to visit your local city police department or county sheriff’s department for more information. You can also access more information and contact numbers online at police department websites.


Jennifer Chase
Author &and Criminologist

Twitter: Thillernovel
Facebook Fan Page

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #4

There are both positive and negative benefits for children using the Internet. The online world can offer children an experience that is both educational and rewarding, which can lead to a higher school performance and increase future job potential. Unfortunately, there is pornography and child predators lurking out there in the online world too.

Parents and guardians need to be vigilant about keeping children safe when they are using the Internet for browsing the Web, sending and receiving email, and using chat rooms.

Emily suggests a few things that parents and guardians can do to help ensure child safety on the Internet.

1.Become an Advocate:

Contact your local Internet Service Provider if you see any material (visual or written) or other practices that you don’t like that is made available to children on the Internet. Be proactive in what children are viewing and don’t be afraid to voice your concerns and opinions.

2.Stay Informed:

Keep yourself informed about parental control tools that can help to keep your child safe on the Internet. Be sure to know what the parental tools can and can’t do. Find out what children are learning and viewing through community and school Web sites.

3.Get Involved:

Spend time with your children when they are on the computer, whether it’s at home, the library, or any other computer center in your community. Take the time to play fun and educational games with your children. It’s important to be involved in your child’s online life and include them in your own online practices. This will be the best insurance for your child’s safety.

4.Learn about the Internet:

Learn everything you can about the Internet. If you’re a novice or a more skilled computer user, take advantage of learning more about the Internet at your local library, community center, or local training classes.

The bottom line is that the Internet has many positive aspects in learning, job training, and social networking. There are just a few things to be aware of so that your children can be safe and enjoy the online experience.

Emily wants all children to be safe and enjoy everything that the Internet has to offer.

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #3

Identity theft crime occurs when any individual acquires a piece of personal information without your knowledge and uses it to commit fraud at your expense. Identity theft crimes affected almost 10 million victims in 2008, which is an increase of 22% from the previous year. It has been estimated that 71% of fraud occurs within a week of stealing a victim’s personal information.

We are a society that takes advantage of the high-tech convenience of using the Internet for purchases, banking, loans, and social networking. With this convenience also comes a price for personal security, but there are simple safeguards that you can use everyday.

There are three common types of personal information that identity thieves look for to commit their fraudulent crimes that can ultimately ruin your credit.

1. Credit Cards
2. Phone or Utilities
3. Banking and Depository Accounts

The most common type of identity theft is credit card fraud that accounts for approximately 26% of all identity theft crimes. The identity thief opens a new credit card account in the victim’s name and uses the credit card for purchases or cash without ever paying the bill. The victim doesn’t realize that there’s a problem because the bills are sent to a new address. It is also common for the identity thief to call the credit card company to change the mailing address on the existing account. Again, the victim doesn’t realize that there’s a problem until it’s too late.

The second most common type of identity theft, which accounts for more than half the number of victims of credit card theft or approximately18%, is for phones or utilities. The identity thief signs up for cell phone service, telephone long distance service, or new utilities using the victim’s name.

The third most common category of identity theft, which accounts for more than a third of the number of victims of credit card theft or approximately 17%, involves banking and depository accounts. The identity thief opens a new bank account, makes electronic fund transfers, or writes bad checks all on the victim’s accounts. Loan fraud accounts for a small portion of depository accounts or approximately 5%, but is still an important category to list and to be aware of the potential risks.

Here are Emily’s top ten guidelines for keeping your identity safe:

1.Check your credit reports annually. If at all possible, check your credit reports monthly or quarterly.
2. Issue a fraud alert with each major reporting agency: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion.
3. If you purchase anything online, make certain that the website is encrypted and shows a small padlock icon at the bottom right-hand corner of your computer screen.
4. If you purchase anything online for a gift, make certain that the bill will not be sent along with the gift containing personal identification and credit card numbers.
5. Don’t toss any personal documents into the trash. Buy a shredder at your local office supply store and shred all of your documents, mail, or anything that would have your name, address, or other personal information on it.
6. Cut up all of your expired credit cards before discarding them into the trash.
7. If you expect a bill and it doesn’t arrive, notify the issuing company immediately.
8. If your credit card is lost or stolen, notify the police immediately to file a report and contact your credit card company.
9. Don’t leave your mail in the mailbox for the mail carrier to pick up. Always post your mail directly at the Post Office.
10. Never give out personal information online or to phone solicitors, such as your social security number or passwords.

Emily’s Crime Watch – Tip #2

Emily’s main driving force in Compulsion is to track down child abductors and child murderers in order to have them brought to justice. She feels that it’s most important to protect the innocent from the evil in society at all costs. This has cost Emily the opportunity of a normal life with a family of her own, but she feels it’s all worth it when she’s able to contribute to the safe return of a child.

It is absolutely imperative today that parents and guardians know all the resources to better safeguard children. It is important to stay alert, informed, and vigilant about all child safety issues and personal information.

According the U.S. Department of Justice, approximately 40% of all child abductions were victims of opportunity.

Here are five basic tips about how to prevent a potential child abduction or kidnapping:

1. Teach your children to run away from danger. Explain to your children to run away from danger. If someone tries to grab them, tell them to make a scene by yelling and saying that this person is not their parent or guardian. If a car is following them, tell them to turn around and run the other way to another trusted adult.

2. Talk openly to your children about personal safety. It’s important to encourage your children to tell you or another trusted adult if someone ever makes them feel scared or uncomfortable. Discuss safety issues with them. Pay attention and listen to your children. Make your children a part of securing your home, such as with alarms, locks, lighting, and have a family plan in case of an emergency.

3. Be alert and aware to your surroundings. Prepare your children with “what if” scenarios so that they’re well prepared in case of an emergency. Design and teach them “escape routes” in different emergencies. Also, know how to reach the nearest local law enforcement agency.

4. Take steps to secure personal information. Be private and discreet about your family’s personal habits and information. Consider opening a post office box, if you don’t already have one, and registering everything with that address including vehicles and driver’s licenses. It’s important to have your personal bills sent to the post office box or place of employment. Take these simple steps of not revealing any personal information about your family and report anything to authorities that seems to be irregular.

5. Report any suspicious activity or individuals to law enforcement. If you feel that someone in your family has been targeted or being stalked, report this information to law enforcement immediately.


By taking these five simple steps, you are ensuring more safety for your entire family. Remember, you are best resource for your children and always know where your children are at all times. Stay vigilant, informed, and alert. Emily wants all children to be happy and safe!

Emily Stone's Crime Watch – Tip #1

Emily Stone is the heroine in my novel Compulsion. She expertly tracks down pedophiles and serial killers and then anonymously emails her entire investigation to the police detective in charge of the case. She’s definitely one high-tech super sleuth that gets the job done as more criminals are taken off the streets. Her compulsion is to make sure that children, neighbors, and communities are safe from crime.

I want everyone to be safe from crime. I will be posting a weekly crime and safety tip that I know Emily would not hesitate tell you first hand.

This week is about personal safety for women outside of the home. It’s important not to become a target for a potential crime and there are a few tips that will help to keep you safe when traveling from one destination to the next.

Try and remember these three basic tips when you’re out in public areas:

1. Alert – be prepared and alert to where you are going and what you’re going to be doing next. Don’t get distracted by searching through your purse for keys or dialing your cell phone as you leave work or a shopping area. This makes you unaware of what’s going on around you and who could be watching you. It could potentially make you a crime target. If you are walking out to a parking lot have your key or alarm release ready. Get inside your vehicle and lock your doors before you do anything that takes your mind off the immediate surroundings.

2. Confidence – move and walk with confidence. That means make eye contact and carry your body straight with your shoulders back and down looking straight ahead. Confidence can be a valuable defense tactic and it can go a long way to help deter being a potential crime victim.

3. Observe – take a few seconds to observe your surroundings. It can be just a quick glance in several directions or studying something in more detail. If something doesn’t look or seem right to you, then retreat back into a public area for assistance. Also, if you notice something that seems out of place remember simple things, such as the exact location, description of all people involved, cars or objects, and exactly what you observed. This can be extremely important information to police investigations.

I actually carry a small spiral notebook, something that I can slip into a pocket or purse, to record anything that I feel looks out of place in public locations. That way I can refer to my notes if something ever transpires from the observed situation.

If you ever feel that you are in any danger or witness any type of crime, don’t hesitate to call the police immediately.