Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

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BICYCLE THEFT PREVENTION TIPS

Bike Theft Prevention

• Always lock you bike at home, at school, on the street or even in a college dormitory.

• Keep a record of your original purchase receipts and any bike serial numbers.

• Remember: the newer the bike the more desirable to thieves.

• Identify and mark you bike. Engrave, tape, paint and other means are helpful ways to personalize your bike and keep a photo of your bike on record.

• Lock your bike to a fixed, immovable object such as a bike rack.

• Always lock your bike in a visible and well-lighted area.

• Select a location where there are other bikes.

• Don’t leave a bike unlocked.

• Don’t lock your bike to small trees, aluminum or wooded posts or chain link fences — these items can be easily broken or cut.

• Don’t lock your bike to anything that is posted illegal.

• Don’t position your lock to the ground. A thief can attack a lock more easily and less obviously in that position.

• Position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill or take up as much open space within the U-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock up, the harder it is for thieves to use tools to attack your lock.

• Don’t lock your bike in the same location all the time.

• Wear a helmet.

Crime Prevention Tips

Theft Of Valuables From Vehicles

The Stratford Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit wants our residents to be aware that motor vehicles can and are being broken into in Town. Although the majority of theses incidents occur in parking lots, they can and do occur to vehicles parked along the roadside in both business and residential areas.

Operators of vehicles occasionally leave their personal valuables locked inside the passenger compartment of their car. Thieves can easily break into these cars and steal easily removable items, or items left in plain view, such as wallets, purses, laptop computers, and GPS units. GPS units and satellite radio units are especially targeted by thieves.

If you have to leave valuable items in your vehicle, we urge residents to leave their valuable items locked in the trunk of their vehicles, where they will not be visible to a would-be thief. The best place to leave valuable items is always your home or business, especially during the overnight hours. Whenever possible, remember to park your vehicle in a well-lit area, and as close to the front of a building as practical.

All of our citizens are urged to be aware of any unusual or out of place activity, and to please call the Stratford Police Department immediately if you see any suspicious activity in our community. The Stratford Police Department relies on residents to help prevent criminal activity in all of our neighborhoods. If you witness criminal activity in progress please call 911 as soon as possible. The sooner you call, the sooner we can respond to your call.

Any town resident wishing to get more information on this or any other crime prevention issue may contact Officer Bobby Ramos at 385-4143 in the Crime Prevention Office.

For additional crime prevention tips visit www.crimewatchstrfd.org