Crime Prevention
Janesville Police's Crime Prevention Office has dozens of ideas about
protecting your home, your property and your family against crime.
Schedule an appointment to have a member of the Crime Prevention Unit conduct a
security survey of your home free of charge. Contact the Police Department to learn
more about how you can help to prevent crime in your neighborhood and your
community.
Call Crime Stoppers 756-3636 to give information on a crime. Cash
rewards of $25 - $1,000. Callers may remain anonymous.
Use the links below to jump to specific crime prevention categories.
For Business Owners & Managers
- For convenience stores and gas stations, keep the front
window clear of advertisements to allow the public and the police easy viewing
into the business.
- Keep the interior and front of the business well lit.
- All rear and side doors should be kept locked at all times.
- Avoid routine procedures that could be observed by a would-be robber.
- Keep cash on the premises and cash exposure to the lowest level possible.
- Vary the route and time of day that bank deposits are made.
- Does the business have a policy on robberies, and are all employees familiar with that policy?
- If the business uses "CCTV" or video surveillance,
are the cameras turned on? If the business has a hold up alarm, can it be
activated safely?
For anyone who is involved in a robbery
Most robberies result with no injury to any of the victims as
long as you comply with the robber's demands. Do exactly as you are instructed
and if you don't understand a directive, ask for clarification.
Try to remain calm and be the best witness you can. Try to
remember the physical features and also the clothing, especially the footwear.
If you can obtain a vehicle description and license plate number without leaving
the business or home, please do so. Lock the door after the robber leaves. If
there are other people inside, separate them and have each person write down a
description of the robber. Tell everyone not to discuss the incident until
Police arrive.
Criminals usually look for the easiest targets, and often crimes such as
burglary, theft, and theft from motor vehicles are crimes of opportunity. If you
can eliminate the opportunity, you can greatly reduce your chances of becoming a
victim. Common sense and a little prevention can save you a great deal of
headache later. Following are some security tips for at home.
- Make sure all exterior doors are solid wood or metal-clad for security.
Use dead bolt locks with a 1-inch throw and a strike plate secured with at
least two-inch screws.
- Keep doors locked at all times, including during the day when you are
home. Sometimes, a person may enter the wrong home accidentally if they are
given a wrong address or are confused, so avoid being surprised.
- If you move into a new home or apartment, install new locks. You never
know how many extra keys are floating around.
- If your front door doesn�t have a peephole, have a wide-angle viewer
installed.
- Keep excess cash and valuables in a safe deposit box. Have pension and
Social Security checks deposited directly into your account.
- Engrave all of your electronics and other valuable items with your
driver�s license number to deter theft. You can borrow an engraver from
the Janesville Police Department at no charge.
- If you are a single female living alone, use only your first initial and
last name in the telephone book and on your mailbox (especially if you are
living in an apartment).
- Keep windows and patio doors locked with special locks. With some types of
locks you can lock a window or patio door open a few inches for ventilation.
- At night, use dusk-to-dawn lights in back yards and in front of the
garage.
- If you are going to be away on vacation or just for the weekend, have a
trusted neighbor watch your property, pick up your mail, and park their car
in your driveway to give the appearance that someone is home. Make use of
timers on some of the lights and leave some of the drapes open. A house that
is all closed up is a sure sign that someone is probably not home.
Homes and apartments in the U.S. are struck by burglars on the average of
once every 15 seconds. If the burglar picks your place instead of the one next
door, you probably helped invite him there.
Despite all the publicity about complex burglary prevention systems, the
rules for protecting your home are quite simple and basic. The best
precautionary measures you can take involve old-fashioned common sense and good,
modern locks. This brochure has examples of both common sense and good locks.
An inadequate lock is usually because the owner is not familiar with lockset
security features. Consult a locksmith if you have weak locks or go to a
hardware store and look for the locks that are suggested in this brochure.
An inexpensive precautionary measure most homeowners can take is to check and
replace the screws in the strike place of a lock if they need it. The strike
plate should have extra long screws which pass through the casing and into the 2
x 4's which hold the door frame.
Use the check list to improve home security and take part in Operation
Identification. While you can't make your home absolutely burglar-proof, you can
make entry so difficult that a burglar will go elsewhere to find an easier
victim.
- Deadlocking slidebolts on all springlatch locks?
- Can you lock your outside doors, all your windows and your garage door?
- Double cylinder locks on doors with glass or replace glass with
unbreakable acrylic?
- Anti-slide protection on the sliding glass doors?
- Security pins on window locks on double hung windows?
- Exterior lighting on entrances to the home, motion-sensor lights in
backyard?
- Wide angle viewer on the solid doors?
- Leave a light on and the radio playing when you are out at night?
- Is your house number clearly visible at night from the street?
- Photos or video taken of the items of value such as jewelry, furs,
antiques, collectibles and other hard to describe things?
- Do you know if a neighbor will call the police or fire if there is
something wrong with your home?
- Take part in Operation Identification and mark items with your driver's
license number?
Home Security Do's and Don't
Double-Hung windows can be made more secure by drilling a hole through the
first window frame and into the second, then inserting a nail or bolt into the
hole. By drilling the holes at different heights, you can also lock a window
left partly open for ventilation. Window locks are another option and are
available at your local hardware or do-it-yourself center.
Burglars love to break into houses where it's obvious the occupants are away
on vacation. When you're going away, put an automatic timer on one or more
lamps, a radio or TV Using timers to turn these on while you're gone will help
give the impression that someone is still at home.
A cylinder lock with a 1-inch long deadbolt provides good home security.
Unlike the common key-in-knob door lock, this one is hard to break or pry open.
Also, make sure the strike plate is secured with wood screws that are at
least 2" in length.
To guard against prying the lock, latch guards can be installed covering the
lock's latch or deadbolt.
Leave your patio or porch lights on when you go out for the evening. Leaving
lights on inside your home is a good idea too. Motion lights mounted to a garage
or above a patio door add extra security through lighting.
Trim shrubs away from doors and windows so they won't hide someone trying to
break in. Plant prickly bushes near basement windows.
Make sure the locks on all your windows are in good working order-and that
includes your basement windows.
Always lock your garage-it's one of the burglar's favorite targets.If you
have a garage that is attached to your house, be sure to
lock the connecting door between the house and garage with a very secure lock
such as a dead bolt. It is a very easy for someone to enter your house through a
connecting door. If you do remember to lock the connecting door, do you remember
to take the keys out of your parked car? It doesn�t pay to lock the door and
then leave the key to it in plain site!
Check to make sure that your house number can be seen from the street, so
emergency help can find you fast when you need it.
Have a neighbor watch your house while you are away on vacation. Having
someone cut your grass or shovel the sidewalk in winter helps to preserve that
"lived-in look" while you're away.
Don't hide spare keys outside your home where "no one would ever
look" A burglar knows where to look for spare keys and finding one makes
his job a lot easier.
You should think twice before putting an ID tag with your address on your key
ring. If you lose your keys and the wrong person finds them, it's an open
invitation to a burglary.
Most important of all: keep your doors and windows locked as much as
possible. Keep all doors and windows locked whenever possible, including during the day
when someone is at home and if you're leaving your home for only a few minutes.
All exterior doors should be secured with a dead bolt
lock with a 1-inch throw and 2-inch screws in the strike plate. The
"throw" refers to how far the bolt sticks out of the door when you
have the door open and the bolt in "lock" position. The reason that
the throw should be at least 1-inch long is so that the bolt goes past the thin
trim board. This makes the trim board less likely to splinter if someone tries
to kick the door in. Two-inch screws should also be used to fasten door hinges
to the door jamb. Even the best lock is worthless if it isn't being used.
Don't depend on a chain lock to keep intruders out of your home; they're too
easy to break.
Don't let strangers in your house for any reason. If a repairman seems
suspicious, ask him for identification first.
Don't leave notes on the door that indicate you are gone and won't be back
until a certain time.
Don't keep large amounts of money, valuable coins or jewelry around the
house. Use a bank safety deposit box instead.
Don't give information to strangers over the phone regarding vacation plans,
hours of work, etc.
Don't let newspapers or mail pile up while you're away as a sign no one is
home. Instead, stop these deliveries or have a neighbor pick these up for you
until you return.
Most sliding patio doors have simple locks that are easy to pry open. Putting
a broomstick or a 2 x 4 in the sliding door track will help keep the door
closed, even if someone has forced open the lock. Or , install locks especially
made for patio doors.
There are several types of surface-mounted door locks that you can use to add
more security to your home or garage. Most are easy to install, and those with
sliding deadbolts are especially hard to pry open.
Many burglaries happen because a burglar can break a window, reach in and
unlock your door from the inside. To avoid this, you can install a
double-cylinder deadbolt lock that requires a key on the outside and the inside.
But remember, this lock could block your escape in an emergency so this type
should only be used in a garage or business and never in a residence. Another
option is to replace the glass in the door with an unbreakable acrylic or use
security screen over the glass on the inside of the door.
A member of the Crime Prevention Unit will conduct a security survey of your
home free of charge. To schedule your appointment call (608) 755-3077.
The "Lived In" Look
The typical burglar looks for a house where it's obvious that no one's home.
So, naturally, the best thing you can do to protect your property while away on
vacation is to create the impression that someone is still at home.
One good way to create this "lived in" look while you're gone is
with the help of a neighbor. Of course, arranging to have a friend or relative
check your home periodically is a good idea too. But your neighbors next door
can provide around-the-clock security, simply by watching out for any unusual or
suspicious activity around your residence, and then calling the police if they
think something is wrong. Either way, it's good peace of mind when you're away,
knowing that someone's still looking out for things back home.
A vacation or weekend away from home should be a pleasant experience for you
and your family. You can make it more enjoyable and carefree by taking a few
simple steps to reduce the possibility that your home might be broken into while
you are gone.
If you are planning a vacation or weekend trip, you can make it tougher for
the burglar by following the suggestions listed in this brochure. Precautions
like storing valuables out of sight and making sure all of your windows and
doors are locked only take a few minutes, but they go a long way toward
preventing burglary, theft or vandalism to your residence while you are away.
How A Neighbor Can Help
Some of the ways a neighbor can help to prevent a burglary to your home
include:
- Collecting newspapers, mail and parcels that have been delivered to your
house, and saving them for you until you return home. Uncollected deliveries
only advertise your absence.
- Cutting the grass and keeping the yard tidy while you're gone in the
summer.
- Shoveling the sidewalk in the winter.
- Parking a car in your driveway to give the impression that someone is
still at home. During the winter, a driveway with no tire tracks in the snow
is a dead giveaway that the house is unoccupied. Most important of all, tell
your neighbors when you are leaving and how long you'll be gone. Ask them to
watch your house, and to call the police if they see anything suspicious.
- If possible, you should also leave a telephone number where you could be
reached in case of an emergency. And, you may even want to leave a house key
with a trusted neighbor while you are gone. That's an especially good idea
if you have houseplants or a pet that will need care while you're away.
Then, return the favor by watching out for your neighbors' property when they
go on vacation. A neighborhood "buddy system" is just about the best
kind of crime prevention program you can have when you're away from home - and
any other time, too!
Going on Vacation:
- Leave Exterior Lights On: Light up the locations where entry is most likely.
Doors and those sides of the house not easily visible from the street.
- Have A Neighbor Use Your Garbage Cans: Some burglars work as refuse
collectors. An empty can means an unoccupied residence.
- Remove Flammables: Remove another possible source of fire by removing
flammables and accumulated rags.
- Put Things Away: Items left unsecured and in the open invite theft.
- Do Not Leave Hidden Keys: Burglars look for these and generally will find
them.
- The Mail & Newspapers: Do not stop all deliveries. However, do have your
keyholder pick up those still being delivered daily.
- Lock All Doors 8e Windows: Prior to departure check all doors and windows to
insure all are locked.
- Do Not Close Blinds And Drapes: A "closed up" house is a sure sign
of being unoccupied.
- Leave A Radio On: Turn Doorbell Volume Down If Possible: A burglar will not
be able to discern if the bell has rung and believes that it just was not heard.
- Lock Garage Door: Disconnect Door Opener: An extremely important step often
forgotten.
- In Winter Arrange To Have Snow Shoveled: Lack of footprints or tire tracks
are a give-away that your house is vacant.
- In Winter Drain Pipes and Water Reservoirs: If your heat goes out for any
reason, this will prevent them from freezing.
- Move Valuables: Move valuables from locations where they are in plain view.
Many burglars are window shoppers and go after what they can see.
- Arrange Inspections: Arrange to have your residence checked daily by your
keyholder or neighbor.
- Select A Keyholder: Choose a friend, relative or neighbor to retain the keys
to your residence in your absence.
- Leave Interior Lights On: Make the burglar think that someone is at home.
Leave lights on in some interior locations.
- Alter Lighting Pattern: Use timers or have your "KEYHOLDER" change
which lights are on periodically during your absence.
- Disconnect Appliances: Eliminate possible fires by disconnecting all
nonessential electrical appliances.
- Do Not Discuss Your Absence: If a burglar overhears you are going to be gone,
it makes his job that much easier.
Janesville Police Department Crime Prevention
(608) 755-3077
What's Operation Identification?
Operation Identification is a program sponsored by the Janesville Police
Department in which residents are allowed to borrow property engravers for use
in their own homes. The engravers are used to put personal identification on
valuable property to make it less attractive to a burglar or thief.
Why Is Engraved Property Less Likely To Be Stolen ?
Most of the criminals who operate in the Janesville area are amateurs.
They're mainly interested in stealing property that's hard to identify and easy
to sell to someone else. They run a much greater risk of being arrested and
convicted if they're caught with stolen property marked with identification that
proves it belongs to someone else. Because of that extra risk, it's also harder
to re-sell marked property. So, the thief usually won't even bother to steal it
in the first place.
How Does The Program Work?
Property engravers are available in the lobby of the Police Department.
Engravers can be borrowed any time during the day, and they are loaned out free
of charge. All you have to do is provide your name, current address and phone
number, and agree to return the engraver within five days so it can be available
for someone else's use.
Is The Engraver Hard To Use?
The engravers are about the size of .a pear, and shaped so they fit in your
hand. They feature a hard carbide tip that vibrates 7200 times a minute. This
vibration is what etches your identification on almost any kind of material:
plastic, wood, metal, even glass. There is also an adjustment you can use to
vary the amount of vibration. With a little practice, using the engraver is
about as easy using a paint brush.
What Kind Of Identification Should I Use?
We recommend that you use your Wisconsin driver's license number. That's the
long number printed at the top of your driver's license.
This number is computer coded according your name and date of birth, and no
one else has one exactly like it. A computer terminal located in the Janesville
Police Department can be used to check this number with the Department of
Transportation computer in Madison. So, by using that driver's license number,
the owner of recovered stolen property can be identified in a matter of seconds.
And since all the police departments in Wisconsin have the same kind of computer
terminal, your property can be identified and returned to you from anywhere in
Wisconsin.
It's also a good idea to engrave "WI" at the end of your driver's
license number to show it's from Wisconsin. That's because nearly every police
department in the United States also has a computer like ours, so your property
can be identified and returned to you even if it's recovered in another state.
Obviously, your driver's license numbers is pretty good identification to use
when engraving your property.
What If I Don't Have A Drivers License?
Then you can get an ID card from the Department of Motor Vehicles that has
the same kind of computer number on it. You can engrave this ID number on your
property instead of a driver's license number.
Naturally, this ID card alone does not allow you to drive a car. But it does
come in handy for Operation Identification, when you have to cash a check, and
any other time you might need some identification.
Why Can't I Use My Social Security Number?
Unlike your driver's license, a Social Security number is kept strictly
confidential by the federal government. Even a police department has a hard time
finding out who a Social Security number belongs to. That's why we recommend
using your driver's license number instead. And besides, if someone has your
social security number, you run the risk of becoming a victim of identity theft.
What Should I Engrave?
Thieves mainly like to steal property that's valuable and also small enough
to carry away easily. Some of the most frequently stolen items in Janesville
include:
- Cameras
- Binoculars
- Tape Recorders
- Radios & Boom Boxes
- Portable TV's
- VCR's
- Stereos
|
- Chain Saws
- Lawn Mowers
- Power Tools
- Typewriters
- Calculators
- Computers
|
Don't These Already Have Serial Numbers on Them?
Yes, and we also encourage you to record these serial numbers as another way
to help identify your property if it's stolen. When you borrow an engraver from
the Police Department, you'll be given an Operation Identification booklet that
serves as a good place to record serial numbers and other information to help
identify your property.
Unfortunately, too often those serial numbers are easy for a thief to remove
because they're stamped on flimsy metal tags or adhesive strips. That's why
identification engraved right into the surface of each item is still your best
bet.
Of course, you probably also own quite a few valuable items that don't have
any serial numbers at all. These may include golf clubs, fishing equipment,
stereo speakers, luggage, lawn furniture and camping equipment, to name just a
few examples.
Are There Some Things I Shouldn't Engrave?
Yes. The engraver's vibrating tip may damage fragile pieces of glassware and
ceramic figurines. Also, you may not want to alter the appearance of your
silverware and antiques by engraving them. And obviously, valuables such as
jewelry and rare coins are too small to engrave easily.
Instead, you should photograph such items and then put the photos in a safe
deposit box so you can identify them later if they are lost in a burglary or
fire.
What Should I Do After I've Used The Engraver?
Once you've engraved your property, you can use window decals provided by the
Police Department to identify your residence as a participant in Operation
Identification. These decals, displayed on your back door, windows or garage,
tell the would-be burglar or thief that your property is marked with personal
identification. Chances are, he'll go somewhere else instead.
Is There Anything Else I Can Do To Protect My Property?
Your Police Department's Crime Prevention Specialist has dozens of ideas
about protecting your home, your property and your family against crime. Call
him at (608) 755-3077 to learn more about how you can help to prevent crime in
your neighborhood and your community.
Motor vehicle thefts in Janesville are like most other crimes reported in our
area - they're usually committed by amateurs who simply take advantage of easy
opportunities.
For example, a key is used in about 1 out of 5 motor vehicle thefts reported
in the U.S. each year. In Janesville, it's 2 out of 3. Most occur either after
owners left a vehicle parked with the engine running, with keys in the ignition,
or with spare keys hidden inside the vehicle. Others involved family members or
acquaintances taking keys and vehicles without permission.
So you really don't need expensive alarm systems or other gadgets to protect
your car, truck, or van. All it takes is the common sense to avoid leaving keys
where the wrong person can find them.
Motor vehicle thefts are so easy to prevent, they shouldn't be a problem but
they are. In fact, last year more the 100 motor vehicle thefts were reported in
Janesville.
The typical suspects are juveniles out for a joyride, so nearly all our
stolen vehicles are eventually recovered. But if they're in good shape when
stolen, those vehicles usually aren't by the time they're found. Some are
involved in traffic accidents. Many are found vandalized or stripped of valuable
parts, while others are set on fire. Some even end up in the Rock River.
That's something to think about the next time you're tempted to leave the
keys in your car or truck. Remember: we need your help to prevent motor vehicle
thefts in Janesville!
Theft from Motor Vehicles
It's called "Car Shopping." Young people go out at night, roam the
streets and parking lots of Janesville, climb into parked vehicles, and steal
whatever they can find. Coins, cassette tapes, sunglasses, maybe a wallet or
purse... anything is fair game.
With over 1,000 incidents reported each year, car shopping is a serious
problem in Janesville. The popularity of compact vans and pickup trucks hasn't
helped, since valuables that once could be hidden in the trunk of a car are now
being left out where car shoppers can find them.
Car shopping has even led to an increase in motor vehicle thefts in
Janesville. If someone finds a set of keys while looking through a parked
vehicle, the vehicle itself usually ends up stolen.
What can you do to prevent someone from car shopping in your vehicle?
First: when parking vehicles outside, always lock the doors. Most car
shoppers don't have the skills or the patience to unlock a door.
Second: store valuables out of sight. Park in a locked garage if you can. Put
your radar detector, purse, briefcase, camera and tools in the trunk, hide them
under a seat or blanket.
A special note to parents: Most car shoppers are juveniles. If your child
can't tell you exactly where those new sunglasses, cassette tapes or hood
ornaments came from, you'd better try to find out. Car shopping isn't just an
innocent pastime-it's a crime.
Tips
Radar Detectors are valuable, easy to conceal and easy to re-sell.
That's why they're among the most popular items thieves steal from parked
vehicles. If you own a radar detector, don't leave it sitting in a parked
vehicle. Also be sure to record the serial number and engrave the detector with
identification so you can claim it if stolen and later recovered by the police.
The Trunk is the place for valuables if you must store them in a
parked vehicle. Use the trunk to keep tools, cameras, sporting goods, or
anything of value locked safely out of sight.
Door Locks were invented to keep motor vehicles and their contents out
of the hands of criminals they're still your first line of defense against
theft. When leaving your vehicle in a parking lot, on the street, or even in
your own driveway, always be sure to lock the doors.
Think of Garage Door Openers as keys. Several local residents have had
their garages cleaned out by burglars after leaving a remote garage door opener
in a vehicle parked in the driveway overnight. Keep them out of the wrong hands
by locking your car doors-better yet, take the opener with you.
Magnetic Key Boxes are a good way to keep extra keys handy. The
trouble is, car thieves think so too. If you worry about locking yourself out of
your vehicle, try hiding an extra door key in your wallet or purse instead. But
don't carry your ignition key, which could be used to steal your, vehicle if the
purse or wallet is stolen.
Car Alarms are a good investment if you own an expensive automobile,
or if you are moving to a large city where there are professional car thieves at
work. In Janesville, where most criminals are amateurs, simpler precautions like
minding your keys and locking the doors usually are enough to stop a thief. So,
alarm systems may not be such a good idea. The same advice applies if you're
thinking about buying a steering wheel lock for your car or truck.
Pickup Truck, Van and Hatchback owners face special problems,
since they don't have trunks where valuables can be stashed. Locking the doors
provides some protection, although thieves will sometimes resort to breaking
windows if the items in view look especially tempting. If there's no place to
hide, you might be better of arranging your trips between home, work and
shopping so you won't have to leave valuables in your parked vehicle at all.
Keys are used in 2 out of 3 of all motor vehicle thefts in Janesville.
Never leave the keys in the ignition when you park, and don't hide spare keys in
the ashtray, on the visor, under the floormat, or anywhere else "no one
would ever look:"
That Hood Release on your dashboard is another reason to keep doors
locked when parking outside overnight. Locked doors put that release out of
reach, so a thief will have an awfully hard time getting under the hood. Forget
to lock up, and you might find out how awfully hard it is to start your car or
truck after the battery's stolen.
A Glove Compartment is the first place a thief will look when
rummaging thru parked vehicles. Spare keys, credit cards, cash, watches,
jewelry, and other valuables simply don't belong in the glove compartment.
Cassette Tapes and Compact Disks aren't covered under most auto
insurance policies. Too bad, because they're popular targets for thieves. Store
tapes and disks at home, not in your vehicle, where they're likely to attract
the attention of a thief.
An Engine should only be running when someone- is behind the wheel.
Never leave a vehicle unattended with the engine running-it only takes a minute
for someone to jump in and drive away while your back is turned.
A Garage is still the best place to safely store motor vehicles. But
even the sturdiest garage won't do much good if the garage doors aren't locked.
Even if you do park indoors, you should still. take the keys with you.
Identity theft happens very easily because every identifying number you
possess - Social Security number, credit card, driver's licenses and telephone
number - are like keys that unlock access to money or goods. For example, a
thief can use these numbers to apply for a credit card in your name - then rack
up charges. Some victims have been denied jobs or pressed for credit card
payments for crimes committed by an identity thief.
A thief can steal these numbers easily by stealing your wallet, taking mail from
your mailbox, going through your trash for discarded bills and receipts, or by
asking for it over the telephone on some pretext. If someone steals your
identity it can be a time-consuming hassle to clean up your credit report.
Following are tips for minimizing the risk of identity theft. For more
information, call Janesville Police Department at 755-3077.
- Never carry your Social Security number or card in your wallet or diary or
have it printed on checks. Guard your Social Security number closely, giving it
out only to official authorities or businesses you trust. Some firms will accept
another identifier if you ask.
- Be careful how you dispose of documents. Shred them if you can. Be
especially careful with charge receipts, credit applications, insurance forms,
bank checks and statements, and credit offers you get in the mail.
- Guard your mail from theft. Deposit outgoing mail in post office collection
boxes or at the post office. Promptly remove mail from your mailbox after
delivery.
- Before you reveal any personal information, find out how it will be used and
whether it will be shared with others. Ask if your information can be kept
confidential.
- Keep items with personal information in a safe place, especially if you have
roommates, outside help or are having service work done in your home.
- Don't give personal information on the phone, through the mail or on the
Internet - for example, on college reunion sites - unless you have initiated the
contact or know who you're dealing with.
- Exercise your right to stop your credit header from being sold, which will
stop preapproved offers of credit. Call the credit bureau's toll-free line:
(888) 567-8688.
- Check your credit report at least once a year from each of these major
credit reporting agencies: Equifax, Experian, and TransUnion. Make sure reports
are accurate and only include activities that you have authorized.
- Check bank and credit statements item by item. Follow up with creditors if
your bills don't arrive on time. A missing credit card bill could mean an
identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to
cover his tracks.
- Put passwords on your credit card, bank and phone accounts. But avoid using
easily available information like your mother's maiden name, your birth date,
the last four digits of your Social Security number or your phone number.
- Only carry identification information and cards you actually need.
The Janesville Police Department has recently received reports from citizens
who received very suspicious telephone calls from an alleged "credit card
security company." This so-called security company requests the person's
credit card number and tells him or her that their security company can stop
"unauthorized use" of their credit card. The "security
company" does not give the city and state from where they are calling, nor
do they provide a call-back number or business street address. If anyone
receives such an unsolicited telephone call from a "credit card security
company," the Janesville Police Department says do not give the caller your
credit card number.
- Don't answer the door in a hotel or motel room without
verifying who it is. If a person claims to be an employee, call the front desk
and ask if someone from their staff is supposed to have access to your room and
for what purpose.
- When returning to your hotel or motel late in the evening,
use the main entrance of the hotel. Be observant and look around before entering
parking lots. Park under lights and close to an entrance.
- Close the door securely whenever you are in your room and use
all of the locking devices provided.
- Don't needlessly display guest room keys in public or
carelessly leave them on restaurant tables, at the swimming pool, or other
places where they can be easily stolen.
- Do not draw attention to yourself by displaying large amounts
of cash or expensive jewelry.
- Don't invite strangers to your room.
- Do not leave valuables in your vehicle. Either lock them in
your trunk or take them with you into the room.
- Place all valuables in the hotel or motel's safe deposit box.
- Check to see that any sliding doors or windows and any
connecting room doors are locked.
- If you see any suspicious activity, report your observations to the management.
Courtesy of the American Hotel and Motel Association.
When school is in session, parents drive many of their children to school. Some
walk; some ride bikes. With all those people, bicycles and cars moving every morning and afternoon, the need for safety
is paramount. But every year people of all ages break the rules of the road. So all of us could use a refresher course
as the new school year draws near to help keep children safe.
Adult crossing guards and school safety patrols work to get children safely across the street. Please be on the l
ookout for children crossing and work with the guards and safety patrols -not against them.
Speed can be a problem in school zones. Drivers should slow down and be observant in the 15 miles per hour school
zones. "15 miles per hour school zones" means drive no faster than 15 miles per hour. Be alert to what is going on around you.
Pick up and drop off at schools can also cause confusion. Parents should never stop in the middle of the street in
a traffic lane to let their children get out of the vehicle, or motion for their children to run across the street to
get in. For the safety of the children, parents should park only where they can legally do so.
Sometimes it is easier to pick a spot a block or two away to park and let the children out to walk the rest of the way.
You may not park in the following areas:
- Within 15 feet of an intersection or crosswalk.
- Within 4 feet of a driveway.
- Within 5 feet of a curbside mailbox.
- Where the curbs are painted yellow.
- Where a sign designates "no parking".
- No parking stopping or standing if a sign is posted, or 7:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on school days on the near side of a
through street next to an elementary or middle school.
- No parking in school parking lots unless authorized to do so.
- No driving into school parking lots to drop off or pick up children.
Safety for students walking or riding bikes
Parents should walk their children to school the first few days until they are comfortable going by themselves. Use the
safe walk route found in each school's handbook. Teach children to cross the street at intersections and crosswalks only.
When available, cross at intersections with adult crossing guards and school safety patrols. Never attempt to cross the street
from between parked cars. Children should use the same exact route to and from school every day so parents can find them if
the need arises.
Some schools have safe house programs to help children who are bullied, attacked, injured or who have other emergencies,
including friendly stranger situations. The programs have a number of names, such as McGruff House, Helping Hand or Block
House. All use some type of sign displayed in the house windows and are there to help children. For more information about
school safety, call the Police Department.
City of Janesville Trick or Treat hours are 5:30 - 7:30 p.m. on Halloween
evening (October 31). Please leave a front porch light on if you wish to be visited by
trick-or-treaters. Following are a few safety tips for trick-or-treaters.
General Safety
- Plan your route with your family ahead of time. Pick
streets that are well lit and in your own neighborhood. Parents should
provide a watch and indicate a time children should return home.
- Trick-or-Treat with a parent, older sibling, or with a group
of children if someone older can't go with you.
- Children should go only to houses where the porch lights are
on, and never go into a house. Children should walk from house to house -
NEVER RUN!
- Children should carry a flashlight after dark.
Costume Safety
- Wear a costume that fits and makes it easy for you to walk.
Strips of reflective tape or light-colored costumes will make you more
visible.
- Parents should attach name, address and phone number to
sleeves of young children in case they become lost or separated from their
group.
- A face mask may keep you from seeing well. Why not use face
makeup instead? If you must wear a face mask, take it off before you cross a
street.
Traffic Safety
- If a child has to cross the street, they should cross at a
crosswalk or corner, not mid-block and never between parked cars. Look both
ways before crossing and be alert for cars turning at intersections.
- Children should stay on the sidewalks. If there are no
sidewalks, they should walk with the road on their right.
- If someone drives when you trick-or-treat, buckle up every
time you get into the car - even if it is only a few blocks.
Treat Safety
- Children should not eat treats until they return home and
the treats are inspected by parents.
- Fruit should be cut and washed before it is eaten.
- Candy wrappers should be checked for tampering. Do not eat
anything that is not wrapped or appears to be tampered with. If in doubt,
throw it away.
- Report any evidence of tampering to the Police Department.