The GOLDEN TRIANGLE CRIME STOPPERS (GTCS) was formed in response to a growing national crime rate. Since GTCS October 1991 inception, 546 arrests have been made, solving 568 cases for the Golden Triangle area. More than $668,244 dollars in stolen items and evidence have been returned to communities and taxpayer citizens. However, there is more to be done in the fight against crime. This fight involves each of us working together!
As part of West Points "CRIME CRACKDOWN"effort, we prepared this community guide for your safety with tips to prevent crime.
Tips For Your Safety:
Walk or pursue hobbies with a friend. Avoid problem and unlighted areas
Remain alert to your surroundings. Walk with confidence. Hold your head up
Trust your instincts. If something makes you uneasy, avoid the situation
Know the neighborhood where you live and work. Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots, and alleys
Use teller machines during daylight hours. Mentally prepare for your transaction. Have your ATM or bankcard handy, when you arrive at the machine. Conduct business without excess fumbling, or display of cash, and move along to your next destination
Have your car or house key in hand before you reach the door
If you think someone is following you, switch direction or cross the street. Walk toward open store, restaurant, or lighted house. Yell for help if you feel it necessary
If you work or stay out late, have someone walk you to your car
Keep car doors and windows locked when driving
If alone on a vacant street or parking lot and another driver bumps your car, wait for police arrival before getting out or drive to where help is available
If followed while driving, go to nearby safe places such as a fire or gas station and blow your horn
Be especially alert at gas stations, shopping malls, convenience and grocery stores, and intersections. All are potential spots for car jacking
Consider carrying a palm-sized alarm to attract attention
Keep your distance when strangers stop to ask questions or directions
Don't park next to occupied cars, particularly vans
Look under and inside your car before getting inside
Never let callers or persons who knock on your door know you are alone
Ask for identification from strangers, service, or delivery persons before you let them inside your residence. If concerned call and verify with employers
Especially For Women
Carry purses close to your body, not dangling by straps
Compliance may be preferred to injury
If grabbed within earshot of others, scream and run or fall to the ground
Your life is more important than your property
Especially For Parents
Know where, with whom, and what your kids are doing
Ensure your child's school policy is to notify parents for student absence
Study daycare and after-school programs. Check program certifications, staff qualifications, rules for obtaining parent permission, and parent participation
Ensure children know your home and work phone number or otherwise how to contact you and other relatives or guardians. At least, teach them how to find and use your list of important numbers. Most phone and home security companies offer various option packages to simplify this concern
Ensure children know their address and can give directions to your home. However, make it clear this information is not to be given to strangers or unsolicited phone callers
If you or your spouse cannot be present when children come home from school have them check with a neighbor immediately after arriving home
Have your children carry a house key. Don't leave under mats, etc
Don't leave purses or children unattended while shopping, particularly unattended in cars. (Merchants, do your customers a service with your PA systems. While verbally announcing in-store specials or thanking shoppers for their patronage, why not add a subtle reminder to not leave purses and children unattended. If you don't have a PA system, conspicuously post reminders near entrances and other high visibility areas to alert/remind your shoppers
Teach children:
HOW TO CONTACT EMERGENCY SERVICES
West Point Police Department: 494-1244
West Point Fire Department & Ambulance Service: 494-2311 / 494-1531
Clay County Sheriff Department 494-5152
How to use door/window locks and the home security system
Never to open doors for strangers or let anyone inside the home without asking your permission
Not to enter an empty home if things don't look right (broken window, ripped screens, or opened doors)
Never to accept gifts or rides from strangers
Especially For Kids
Learn safe neighborhood play areas, walk routes, and know where to get help
Trust your feelings. If there is a sense of danger, get away fast
Report crimes or suspicious actions to the police, school authorities, or parents
Never go anywhere with anyone you don't know and trust
If someone tries to abuse you, SAY NO! Get away and tell a trusted adult
Especially For Seniors
Don't carry large amounts of cash
Have monthly pension/social security check sent directly to your bank account
Use caution for consumer fraud or con artists. Never withdraw money from your bank, give cash or checks for work or services not yet performed, no matter how convincing strangers may be
Don't let anyone rush you into signing anything, contract, sales agreements, or insurance policies. Read everything including the fine print. Have a trusted person check out your concerns
Ask for local references for strangers offering goods or services. Check sources they give or others you trust
Tips To Protect Your Home
Quality security doors with locks left unlocked are poor investments. An expensive lock in a flimsy door may be a poor investment
Neat yards, trimmed walks, and grass care indicate occupancy. A home that looks lived in is less inviting to burglars. Keep hedges and other plants next to your home or business trimmed to minimize cover for criminal activity. Another idea is to have thorny plants around windows or other areas these fiends may prefer to use for access
Criminals do not like operating in lighted areas. Use security lighting during hours of darkness. Continuous lighting around your property during the day may not deter vandals as much as normal on and off cycling of lights withdarkness, typical of resident activity. Inexpensive timers or photo cell sensors that activate lights can cycle necessary on/off lighting that may discourage vandals, especially when you must be away from your property. Their reasonable purchase costs can soon be offset with energy savings over continuous lighting cost
DON'T:
Leave a "hidden key" outside. It's too easily found
Allow valuables (purse, TV, VCR, etc.) to be visible from the street or within arm's reach of a window or doorway
Rely on clamshell window locks. They are easily jimmied with a knife
Display your name on mailbox. Thieves can use phone books to determine where to call to see if someone answers
DO:
Install wide-angle door peepholes to ID visitors. Lock or bolt windows and doors
Install sliding glass door locks to prevent doors from being lifted off tracks
Lock your home while gardening, mowing grass, or leaving for short periods. Burglars will look for opportunities to walk inside unhampered
Be a neighbor. Report suspicious neighborhood activity. Ignored, suspicious or criminal activity at your neighbors may lead to your property damage or loss. Abandoned buildings, homes, and unkempt property invite criminal activity
Consider a pet dog and use "Beware of Dog" signs
Get names of all persons working in and around your home
Record serial numbers or mark valuable property by engraving with driver license or other identifying number. Keep photos of hard to engrave items in a safe place
Tips To Prevent Car Theft
Never leave your car running or keys in the ignition. Close windows, lock doors, even if your car is in front or the driveway of your home
Park in busy, well-lit areas
Leave just ignition keys with parking lot attendants in commercial lots and garages. Ensure no identifying information is attached
Carry your registration and insurance card with you. Don't leave personal identification documents or credit cards in your car
Keep an accessible copy of your license tag and registration along with the vehicle identification number (VIN) separate from the vehicle. Police will need this information should the vehicle be stolen
Install mechanical devices limiting steering, ignition, and brake functions, or electrical alarms for burglar deterrence
Etch non-VIN or non-serial numbered, readily marketable parts, e.g. windows, windshields, or wheels with personal ID.
In closing, excuse this short digression. Do merchants a favor. Report observed shoplifting. Ignoring the activity costs you at the checkout. Have you checked or changed batteries in your smoke/fire/intrusion detector lately?
How To Form A "Neighborhood Watch Program"
Organize a group of concerned citizens, who are willing to help
Call you local law enforcement, city, or county administration. They will send an officer to help your community start its own program
IF YOU WITNESS OR HAVE ANY INFROMATION
ABOUT A CRIME, CALL
GOLDEN TRIANGLE CRIME STOPPERS AT
1-800-530-7151
*Crime prevention tips supplied by the National Crime Prevention Council, the Nashville Metro Police Department, FBI, City of West Point Administration, and Senior Citizens, Inc. Statistics provided by Golden Triangle Crime Stoppers.
CITY OF WEST POINT, MISSISSIPPI
COMMUNITY GUIDE TO CRIME PREVENTION
West Point Police Department 494-1244
West Point Fire & Ambulance 494-2311
Clay County Sheriff Department 494-5152
This handy guide for tips to crime prevention is provided for your use by Mayor Kenny Dill & Board of Selectmen: Vice Mayor Jesse Harmon,
Mr. John Cummings, Ms. Linda Hannah, Mr. Homer Ryland, & Mr. James Watson
PO Box 1117, 204 Commerce Street, West Point, MS 39773
Telephone: 662-494-2573
February 1999
