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Crime Prevention Tips

The "Alert Neighbors Program" which has been instituted in several areas of the United States, has dramatically demonstrated that an alert and cooperative citizenry, cooperating with an effective, responsive police force, can make a great contribution in waging an intensive and effective attack on crime resulting in a substantial decrease in the number residential crimes.

We are enlisting the eyes and the ears of the public to broaden and boister the Northampton Township Police Department and to be concerned for their neighbor's protection and well-being. Each person is requested to be alert for any trouble concerning his neighbors' on his right, on his left, in back of him, across the street, or for any other suspicious circumstances in his neighborhood. Each participant is also requested to display a window sticker bearing the "Operation Identification Program" emblem (and to attach a sticker with the telephone number of the Northampton Police Department (357-8700) to his telephone).

Crime prevention is everybody's business, but enforcement and investigation are Police Duties. Residents should not take action of an enforcement nature. We are asking simply that you "observe and report to 357-8700"- that's all there is to it. Assume the responsibility in any suspicious situation for calling the police to investigate.

Our records indicate that most burglaries occur between the hours of 2:00 p.m. and 11:00 p.m. This is the time to be particularly alert for any suspicious circumstances. If your going out for dinner or leaving your home unattended for any reason, give your neighbor a call and ask that he keep an eye and an ear tuned for any activity at your home during your absence. All too often when investigating a burglary, we learn that a neighbor did see or hear something but didn't think anything of it at the time.

Please be alert for any suspicious persons in your neighborhood and notify the police if you find such a person. These thefts from unattended vehicles are occurring during the late night hours. Thieves are targeting vehicles that are unlocked or not alarmed. They look for cellular phones, stereo equipment and other valuables. Please don't leave valuables in your car! Keep all cellular phones and stereo equipment out of sight if possible.

Burglary Prevention Tips

Burglars Don't Want Witnesses - They Prey On Empty Houses. We Want You To Care!

Below is a list of precautionary measures every citizen should take for the possible prevention of burglaries.

1. Keep your home safe from the outside:

1. Change locks when moving in a new house.
2. Do not hide a spare key outside - give it to a trusted neighbor.
3. Have a good safe lock - use a bolt when out - a plastic card can open many locks - but it can't slip a bolt. Remember, the best locks are useless if not locked.
4. Never admit strangers without full identification!
5. Report broken or inadequate street lights.
6. Don't leave home and car keys together. Your address can be obtained from plate numbers and keys can be quickly duplicated.
7. Don't give out personal information over the telephone - report all suspicious phone calls to the Police.
8. Report to Police any suspicious strangers in your neighborhood or people coming to your door asking strange or vague questions about your neighbors and there whereabouts.
9. Do not put your name in front of your house - burglars can use it to find your phone number and call to check whether you're home.
10. Don't "advertise" your possessions - open draperies and blinds can make a "showcase" of your home.

2. Keep your home safe from burglars:

1. Store all ladders, etc. inside.
2. Be alert for unusual activities, suspicious people, or sounds such as breaking glass, ringing alarms or hammering.
3. Report suspicious cars or panel trucks parked on your street.
4. Keep garage doors closed when not it use.
5. Place a strip of wood on the inside tracks of sliding doors and windows. (See illustration).

   

6. Use lights effectively:
1. Leave several lights on in different areas of the house.
2. Outside lights illuminate possible hiding places.
3. Outside lights should cover entire area surrounding home and be placed high enough to prevent an intruder unscrewing them.
7. Secure all doors and entrance ways at night and when leaving. Don't forget patio doors on higher levels.
8. Have effective window locks - insert a small nail through the top and bottom of window sash. (See Illustration)

   

9. Carefully check references of maids and cleaning women.
10. Keep all valuables in a safe.

3. While your away on vacation:

1. In summer, have lawns mowed and yard kept up. In winter, have your sidewalks shoveled.
2. Put all outside articles away — inside storage.

   

3. Stop all deliveries of milk, paper, cleaners, etc., have a trusted neighbor pick up your mail, and of course, any clothes the cleaner left hanging between the storm door and the front door.
4. Notify Police of your absence and length of stay and where you can be reached during an emergency.
5. Don't discuss your absence in public - give information to the newspapers after you return.
6. Arrange a daily check by a trusted neighbor.
7. Don't close blinds, shades or drapes to "advertise" house is empty.
8. Use a clock timer for your lights. Ask your neighbor to replace any burnt-out light bulbs.
9. Arrange for a neighbor to park in your driveway.
10. Valuables should be stored in a vault or safe deposit box.

4. A burglary every 12 seconds:

As reported by the uniform crime report. Many would say this is a national disgrace. Some might say it is nothing more than a manifestation of our economic situation. Still others would say that it is directly related to narcotic addiction. However, all would agree that theft is one of the most prevalent crimes in America and that it is rising drastically. Regardless of what philosophy you adhere to, one point is exceptionally clear, and that is: Theft can be curtailed drastically by proper, inexpensive, preventative methods. This can start with neighbor's watching neighbor's homes, and calling the police when a suspicious activity is observed.

5. Identification:

1. Keep a list of all serial numbers.
2. Have your silverware and jewelry engraved.
3. Take photographs or make sketches of valuable property.

6. Operation Identification:

1. The idea of "Operation Identification" is to persuade burglars that breaking into a home where the items are marked is too unprofitable to be worth the increased risk.

Burglars usually sell their loot through a "fence" or middleman. Since marked valuables can lead to the rightful owner and provide proof of theft, the burglar knows that such items would be hard to sell, and that possession of them amounts to an engraved invitation to jail.

Any homeowner or business man may borrow an etching tool at Northampton Township Police Headquarters. The individual citizen borrows the tool free of charge for 24 hours and uses it to inscribe an identifying mark such as your driver's license number on anything of value at home from TV sets to jewelry. After the citizen completes the job, he returns the tool to the Northampton Township Police Headquarters and is given free decals which read:

"We have joined Operation Identification - - WARNING - - All items coded for ready identification by Northampton Township Police Department."

These he puts on doors and windows most likely to be used for illegal entry.

Suspect Description Form

Conatct

• Call: (215) 357-8700
• Business Number: (215) 322-6111
• 1-888-UNDER21

Pennsylvania has a 24-hour, seven-day-a-week, toll-free hot-line, 1-888-UNDER21, which callers can use anonymously to report underage drinking parties, creation and use of false identification or establishments serving alcohol to minors.

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