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Personal Safety
The chance that you or a member of your family will be the victim of a violent crime is low. Violent crimes are still rare and account for a small percent of recorded crimes. The best way to cut the risk of attack is by taking sensible precautions. By taking a few simple precautions, you can reduce the risk to yourself and also discourage those who commit crimes.
BE PREPARED
Always be alert and aware of people around you . Show confidence and look people in the eye; most attackers do not want to be recognized.
Be aware of your surroundings, locations, and situations which would make you vulnerable to crime, such as alleys and dark parking lots.
Get a personal attack alarm. These products can be found on the Internet under personal attack alarms. Carry it in your hand so you can use it immediately to scare off an attacker. Make sure it is designed to continue to sound if it is dropped or falls to the ground.
Dialing 911 on your cell phone goes to the California Highway Patrol and then will be rerouted to the police or fire agency where the help is needed. This can take minutes to do, so try to dial direct. Have the police agencies phone numbers in the area you travel programmed in your cell phone. The La Verne Police Department emergency phone number is (909) 593-2531. The business phone number is (909) 596-1913.
Only carry what is needed when going on appointments or errands. If a purse is not needed, do not take one. Do not carry valuables or a lot of cash on you. Remember: Never leave a purse or other valuables in a car in plain view; it is best to put these items in the car trunk.
STREET PRECAUTIONS
Always be alert and aware of the people around you. Whenever possible during darkeness, travel with a friend.
Stay in well lighted areas as much as possible; remember most attackers do not want to be recognized.
Walk closer to the curb. Avoid walking next to bushes, alleys, or doorways were someone could grab you and pull you in quickly and out of sight.
Do not respond to any questions or someone trying to make conversation with you on the street. Continue walking to your destination at a steady pace. Sometimes being rude is a good thing.
If going to a house or business appointment, call when you are about to arrive to alert someone you are coming. If you feel the surroundings are unsafe, ask for someone to meet you outside. Trust your instincts, they are usually right .
When leaving the appointment, have your keys out and ready to go. Your keys can used as a weapon if attacked by having the biggest key on the key ring pointing straight out between your fingers.
CAR SAFETY
Always be alert and aware of the people around you and your car. If a stranger is standing next to your car at the driver's door, do not try to get in your car without asking that person to move away from the door first.
Before entering the car, check the rear seat to be sure no one is hiding there.
Always lock your doors and leave them locked while driving. Do not drive with your windows down until you believe it is safe to do so.
If you think you are being followed, drive to a public place. Do not drive directly home. Police and fire departments are open twenty-four hours a day and are always a good place to go. If you know you are being followed, call the police and give them the information such as your vehicle description, the description of the vehicle that is following you, your location, and direction of travel.
If your car breaks down, try to pull into a public place or a well-lit area. Always have a tow service or an automobile club card available with a phone number on it so you are able to call for help from your car.
OFFICE AND BUILDING SAFETY
Always be alert and aware of the people around you and your office. Get to know your neighbors; get to know their operation and what kind of business they run. Get to know what kind of clientele they have and what hours they keep. Tell your neighbors what kind of business you run and the hours you keep. The more your neighbors know about you and you know about them, the safer the work environment will be.
Discuss the parking situation with the other tenants that you share the parking lot with such as lighting, preferred parking for females or elderly people, and the condition of the parking lot such as bushes, entrances, and exits.
Always have a business phone available. When you call 911 from a land line, the address immediately shows up on the dispatcher's screen. If you are unable to talk, just set the phone down and help will be on its way.
Report all suspicious people and activities to the police department. Everyone should consider it his/her responsibility to report crimes. A person reporting a crime in progress or suspicious activities does not need to give their name to get a response from the La Verne Police Department. Many criminals target favorite areas and have predictable methods of operation. If you do not report crime, the criminal can continue to operate without interference.
Always be alert and aware of the people around you!
