From:
mpdc2368@comcast.net
(Officer K.A. Sodimu)
Metropolitan Police Department: Guarding Against Robbery and
AssaultMetropolitan Police Department
Guarding Against Robbery and Assault
Robbery and assault are serious crimes. While money is often the
motivation, these incidents are considered crimes of violence because
they involve the threat or actual use of physical violence. The basic
rules of prevention are to be sensible and to be alert. The following
tips will also help reduce the risk of robbery or assault.
a.. Personal Safety Tips on the Street
b.. Basic Street Smarts
c.. If Someone Tries to Rob You
d.. Safety in Your Vehicle
e.. Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Safety Tips
f.. Preventing Assaults
Personal Safety Tips on the Street
a.. If possible, don't walk alone during late-night hours. Walk in
groups whenever you can-there is always safety in numbers.
b.. Let a family member or friend know your destination and your
estimated time of arrival or return. That way, the police can be
notified as quickly as possible if there is a problem.
c.. Stay in well-lit areas as much as possible. Avoid alleys, vacant
lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas. They are
usually not well-lit or heavily traveled.
d.. Walk on the sidewalk whenever possible. Walk close to the curb,
avoiding doorways, bushes, and other potential hiding places.
e.. If you have to walk in the street, walk facing traffic. A person
walking with traffic can be followed, forced into a car, and abducted
more easily than a person walking against traffic.
f.. Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace. Don't stop to
talk to strangers.
g.. Wear clothing and shoes that give you freedom of movement. And
don't burden yourself with too many packages or items.
h.. Always be aware of your surroundings. If you are wearing
headphones, don't turn up the volume so high that you cannot hear
outside noises.
i.. Never hitchhike or accept rides from strangers.
j.. Report any suspicious activity or person immediately to the
Metropolitan Police Department at 3-1-1. Or, if it is an emergency,
dial 9-1-1.
k.. Avoid carrying large sums of cash, or displaying expensive jewelry
in public.
Basic Street Smarts
a.. Wherever you are-on the street, in an office building or shopping
mall, driving, waiting for a bus or subway-stay alert and tuned in to
your surroundings.
b.. Send the message that you're calm, confident, and know where
you're going.
c.. Trust your instincts. If something or someone makes you uneasy,
avoid the person or leave.
d.. Know the neighborhoods where you live and work.
e.. Check out the locations of police and fire stations, public
telephones, hospitals, and restaurants, or stores that are open late.
If Someone Tries to Rob You
a.. Don't resist. Give up your property-don'
t give up your life.
b.. Report the crime to the police. Try to describe the attacker
accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.
Self defense measures are most effective when applied as preventive
steps-avoiding the crime in the first place.
These measures include running away, hiding, screaming, and raising an
alarm-remember, more people will respond to someone yelling "Fire"
than they will to "Help!""
Safety in Your Vehicle
The crime of "carjacking" - which is stealing a car by force -
captures headlines across the country. Statistically speaking,
however, your chances of being a victim of carjacking are very slim,
and taking preventive measures can reduce that risk even more.
a.. If the carjacker threatens you with a gun or other weapon, give up
your car. Don't argue. Your life is definitely worth more than a car.
b.. Get away from the area as quickly as possible.
c.. Try to remember what the carjacker looked like-sex, race, age,
hair and eye color, special features, clothes.
d.. Report the crime immediately to the police.
----------------------
From: K. Smith -- One tip I would add to the above
is to lock your car door as soon as you get it, before
doing anything else.
----------------------
Automated Teller Machine (ATM) Safety Tips
a.. Try to use machines you are familiar with, and try to use
terminals located in banks rather than independent terminals.
b.. Be aware of your surroundings. Look around before conducting a
transaction. If you see anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your
transaction and go to another ATM.
c.. If you must use an ATM after hours, make sure it's well-lit.
d.. Never walk away from an ATM with cash still in hand. If you are
going to count your money, do so at the ATM.
e.. When making an ATM transaction from your car, be aware of your
surroundings. Keep your eyes and ears open, and keep car doors locked.
Preventing Assaults
Assaults are basically fights carried out with or without a weapon at
home or in a public space, between strangers, (frequently) among
friends, acquaintances, or loved ones.
The most serious assaults are known as "aggravated assaults,"
"assaults with a deadly weapon," or "assaults with intent to kill."
Less serious offenses are called "simple assaults." In many cases,
simple assaults turn into more serious assaults or even homicides, if
the initial argument or fight is not scaled back or resolved quickly.
While some assaults are unavoidable, use the following tips to make
sure simple arguments do not turn violent or deadly:
a.. If you are involved in a heated argument that appears to be
turning violent, walk away. If you stay and fight "to prove
something," you will only demonstrate poor judgment in almost every
instance.
b.. Never carry a firearm, knife, or other illegal weapon. A weapon
will definitely escalate the situation, and it could ultimately be
used to harm innocent people or yourself.
c.. Avoid excessive drinking, or if you have been drinking, recognize
its impact on your judgment. Alcohol is a contributing factor in many
assaults.
d.. If you see an assault in progress, dial 9-1-1 immediately to alert
the police. Do not jump into the fray, unless it is a last resort to
prevent more serious injury.
OFFICER K. A. SODIMU.
M. P. D. C.
4TH DISTRICT.
P. S. A.-- 401.
Kayode.Sodimg@dc.gov
MPDC2368@Comcast.net
Disclaimer
Some materials have been compiled from a variety of sources, and are
subject to change without notice. I do not warrant or make any
representations as to the quality, content, accuracy, or completeness
of the information.