Crime Prevention Education

Tips For Preventing Crime at Home (from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department)

  • Take a critical look at your home every four months to see if its secure. Use the Home Security Survey and Home Security Checklist to assist.
  • Be sure your front and back porch lightbulbs are functioning properly. Use energy-efficient light bulbs for porch lights and keep them on all day (at minimal cost).
  • If leaving town for an extended period of time, notify the SLMPD via the Absence of Residence form. Stop mail and newspaper deliveries or have a trusted neighbor of friend pick them up in order to avoid the appearance you are out of town.
  • When leaving town for any type of trip, load luggage into the car inside your garage (if you have one). Avoid advertising that you are going out of town.
  • Lock all windows and doors when you leave your home, even if you will only be gone for a short time.
  • Install quality dead bolt locks with one inch bolt lengths on each door in your home.
  • Use an alarm system. While no system will make your home 100 percent safe, a quality alarm system can be an excellent crime deterrent.
  • Install a wide angle (180 degree) peephole on doors. This will allow you to see those outside your door but prevent anyone from seeing you.
  • Make sure your street address number is clearly visible from the street, especially at night in case you require police service.
  • Illuminate your residence at night and regularly replace bulbs. Use timers and motion detectors if possible.
  • Secure pet doors, ventilation windows and other entrances to your home.
  • Don’t leave spare keys in recognizable spots.
  • Get to know the people who live around you so you can recognize suspicious activity and persons.
  • Call police if you see any suspicious activities.
  • Don’t leave valuables visible to those outside your home.
  • Mark valuables with contact information. Make a note of their serial numbers and take pictures. These can be used to help police if you become a victim of a crime.
  • Put all your tools away in a secured garage or shed so that they cannot be used to assist a criminal in breaking in your home.
  • CLICK HERE for home security and safety tips … from a burglar’s point of view.
  • CLICK HERE for more information on how home burglars are using social media.

Tips For Preventing Auto-Related Crime (from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department)

  • Use a “club” or other steering wheel lock device.
  • Check in, around and under your vehicle for suspicious persons before entering.
  • Lock all doors after entering your vehicle.
  • If possible, keep your car parked inside of a garage instead of on the street. If no garage available, try to park your car in a well-lit area.
  • Always lock your vehicle, even if you are only leaving for a few minutes.
  • When walking to your vehicle, always have your keys in hand so you won’t have to fumble for them. This makes you an easy target for criminals.
  • NEVER leave a running vehicle unattended.
  • Completely close all your windows when you park the car.
  • NEVER leave your title or other important paperwork inside your car.
  • DO NOT LEAVE VALUABLES IN YOUR CAR. If you do, make sure they are kept out of plain sight – hide them under a blanket, or better yet, lock them in your trunk.
  • When transporting valuables, place them in the trunk before you get to the location where you intend to park. Don’t transfer them at the parking place in open view of other people.
  • Always keep plenty of gas in your vehicle so you do not have to stop at unsafe locations or times.
  • Never pick up hitch-hikers.
  • If you have car trouble, try to get to a safe, well-lit spot, put on your emergency flashers and display a “Send Help Sign” if possible.
  • If you are being followed while driving your car, drive to the nearest police station or gas station. If there are no safe places to stop, honk your horn in short rapid blasts and turn on your emergency flashers. Call 911 and try to obtain a license plate number and description of the vehicle that is following you. NEVER drive home or pull to the side of the road.
  • When leaving your vehicle, always remove detachable faces for stereos and GPS units.
  • CLICK HERE for additional information from the SLMPD on auto thefts.

Tips for Personal Safety (from the St. Louis Metropolitan Police Department)

  • Trust Your Intuition. If you feel threatened or something doesn’t feel right, take action immediately.
  • Pay close attention to your surroundings.
  • Know safe places in the areas where you live, work and play.
  • Don’t let strangers get too close to you, even if they seem to have a reason.
  • Carry as few items as possible.
  • Walk with a purpose. Know where you are going ahead of time.
  • Avoid shortcuts that take you through alleys, gangways, and other unlit, isolated areas.
  • Have a plan before you see trouble. Be prepared to cross a street or duck into a store, if needed.
  • Carry a small amount of cash, and only the credit cards that you intend to use.
  • If carrying a wallet, carry it in a front pocket.
  • Leave your expensive jewelry at home.
  • Don’t wear clothing or shoes that restrict your movement.
  • CLICK HERE for additional information from the SLMPD on armed robbery preparedness.