Security Articles
Personal Safety
Personal Safety Agenda
- Crime in America
- Being Alert to Your "Surroundings"
- Parking & Driving Your Vehicle
- Safety While Walking
- Personal Safety Devices & Self Defense
- Crime in America
- Expected time in jail for a serious crime?
- 1980's violent crime rose 37%, but number of police officers only rose 16%
- Need 5 million more to equal what we had in 1960's
- 60K violent criminals get probation each year
- Chances of being a victim in 20 year span?
- Criminals are younger .. Juvenile justice system is at it's limit
- Juveniles are 3x's more likely to commit suicide or kill others ... now 12-13 year old rapists
- Cost of Crime
- Criminal Justice System = $900 billion/year
- National Defense = $300 billion / year
- Spending for corrections quadrupled last 10 years
- Avg. cost of $27k per year / per prisoner
- Businesses spending $65 billion / year on security
- Security outnumbers law enforcement 4-1
Key to Personal Safety
- BE ALERT!
- Its normal to get comfortable with your surroundings at work & at home ... that's when you can get hurt!
- Traffic Signal Approach
Parking Your Vehicle
- Park in well lighted areas
- Don't park near vans with side doors or areas where someone may be hiding
- Scan area before you shut off vehicle
- Watch for anyone loitering in parking lot
- Know where your car is parked
Working Late
- Try to have someone scheduled to work with you
- Lock yourself in the business
- Park in a well lit area & close as possible to the door
- Have others walk with you to your vehicle or ask for a security escort
- Have car keys ready
- Look inside and round your vehicle before you get in
Going to Your Vehicle
- Watch for subjects loitering in parking area
- Walk confidently to vehicle moving head side-to-side & look underneath vehicle
- Walk out with others or ask for a security escort
- Drive with doors locked & windows up
Vehicle Break Downs
- Don't get out & walk unless absolutely necessary.
- Be prepared - cell phone, help sign, etc.
- After you call for help where do you wait?
- What to do when a Good Samaritan arrives
You Are Followed In Your Car
- If you think you're being followed - make 2 turns
- Don't drive home
- Go to safe area that you have identified .. not just where there are people
- Watch when you pull into your garage or get out at your driveway
Vehicle Security
- Lock the door & take keys with you [4-5 left unlocked]
- Don't put valuables & packages in view
- Cell Phone, detector & stereo thefts
- Garage door openers
- Registration & insurance paperwork
Safety While Walking
- Wear comfortable shoes & clothing
- Don't display money or contents of purses
- Don't set a pattern when walking or jogging
- Walk against traffic
- Where to walk on the sidewalk in business districts
- Don't give money to panhandlers, acknowledge them but say "NO" & don't enter into a discussion with those who try to persuade you to give money
Office Security
- Keep purse, wallet, or other valuable items with you or locked up at all times
- Never leave keys or access card lying about, hidden or in an unlocked desk drawer
- Never leave change or cash around desk that is not secured
- Never write down lock combinations, PIN numbers or passwords where others can find them
- If you notice suspicious persons contact security
- Know your co-workers & look out for each other & ask a co-worker to watch your desk when you are gone for a period of time
Robbery
- Don't be a hero, don't 2nd guess a robber
- Do what you are told, don't argue, joke, cry, etc.
- Reassure the robber you will cooperate
- Tell the robber what you are doing ahead of time, no sudden jerks or unexpected moves
- Stay calm as possible
- Try to get a physical description of at least one of the robbers, which includes height, weight, hair color, eye color, scars, complexion, age, voice, clothing, weapon used, etc.
After the Robbery
- Call the police ASAP, give as much info. as possible, usually will be asked to stay on the line
- Don't discuss the incident until police arrive [write notes to yourself]
- Close the business & keep customers who are possible witnesses
- Don't touch or disturb anything the robbers could have touched
- Don't disclose loss amount to anyone besides security and/or police
If a Victim
- Decide now what you are capable of: flight, fight or cooperate
- Remain calm as possible & listen to commands
- If "bad guy" only wants property
- If you choose to resist, get MAD ... shout, draw attention, resist, attack...
Vulnerable Areas to Attack
- Eyes
- Groin
- Throat
- Nose
- Weapons at your disposal...
Personal Protection Devices
- Guns & Knives
- Mace & Pepper Sprays
- Defensive Tactics
- Sound Devices
- Vehicle Alarms
- BUT don't get a false sense security
Elevator Safety
- Don't get on if you don't feel comfortable
- If you're uncomfortable when someone get on
- Stand close to elevator controls
- If attacked on an elevator ...
