1. Be alert and aware of your surroundings at all times. Criminals often target people who are distracted.
2. When in a bar or restaurant, don't leave your handbag over the back of your chair, on a stool, or on the floor.
3. Hold on to your cell phone and keep it secured and out of sight when not in use.
4. Carry your wallet in your breast pocket or your jacket or in your front pants pocket. never in the rear pants pocket which is the easiest to pick.
5. Carry your purse close to your body. Never wrap the strap around your body.
6. Don't leave belongings such as bags and laptop computers unattended.
7. DO NOT walk away from a stroller containing personal belongings.
8. Don't leave a bike unlocked ANYWHERE "just for a second"
9. If it's outside of your apartment/brownstone and isn't locked up, people will assume that it's there's for the taking
10. Carry only the amount of cash or number of credit cards necessary to make your purchases for the day.
11. Place items out of sight in the trunk of your vehicle prior to reaching your destination. Never leave packages on the passenger area of the vehicle.
12. Be wary of distractions. Sometimes one perp diverts your attention while another picks your pocket or steals your belonging.
13. Follow your instincts. Remember, "If it seems too good to be true, it probably is."
Emergency Situations-- Call 9-11
(This includes a recent theft where you are not left in danger-- if there is a chance to catch the perp, let's make that happen!)
Non-Emergencies- Call 3-11
To report a non-emergency situation, call the 78th Precinct 718.636.6411. (If you are reporting it when it's not an emergency you'll need to go to the police station to file a report. For the sake of the community-- FILE A REPORT!)
Save yourself the aggravation and frustration -- don't make it easy for someone to steal from you!
From Park Slope Parents & Community Affairs Bureau, Crime Prevention Section
