ST. CLAIR SHORES POLICE DEPARTMENT

Residential Security Tips
Business Watch Flyer

St. Clair Shores residence and boaters:

I wanted to let you know we are in full swing with our Neighborhood Watch program and we are having great success with it.  If you look under informational updates, you can see several success stories just in the last few months.  There is still time to join and get your neighbors involved, it’s very simple.  I just need someone to volunteer to be a block captain for your block, have a meeting with potential members and start watching out for your neighbors.  You will then receive a sign for your block and window stickers for your members, showing the criminals they are under the watchful eye of concerned residents.   

We have also started two other watch programs in the city and are currently working on a third.  We are in the process of having signs and stickers made up for our new St. Clair Shores Crime Watch program and Marina Watch.  The Crime Watch program is available to anyone conducting business in our city which includes but not limited to; Waste Management, Postal Carriers, Landscapers, Snow removal services…etc.  They have agreed to participate by putting  Crime Watch logos on their vehicles working in our city and their employees have agreed to report anything they observe to be suspicious, hazardous or in need of emergency attention.  The stickers will serve as a deterrent to the criminals, letting them know people are out there watching them and are willing to call if they see them doing anything suspicious in our city.  The stickers will also let you, our residents, know that they are involved in our city and are willing to step in and help us keep our community a safer, cleaner community.  

 The Marina Watch is also getting up and running.  I have consulted with the marinas in our city and they are very excited about the new program.  We have made up a new Marina Watch logo and will be giving them to every registered boater with our marinas.   There will also be signs put up in front of every marina letting the criminals know that even the boaters will be watching out for each other.  We are asking the boaters to report anything suspicious or hazardous they see while they are down enjoying their boat.  We get a lot of larcenies from boats and vehicles from the marinas as well, and who better to watch and report than the boaters themselves.  The boaters know better than anyone else in the marina who belongs there and who doesn’t.  If a boat shows up next to them in a well they know right away, it may take the marina personnel a few days to notice.  If they report it to the marina office it would really keep some of the rift raft out of the marinas. Making them a safer and cleaner place to enjoy.

Join a Watch Today!

 

THINGS YOUR BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
 
1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator.
 
2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.
 
3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.
 
4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it..
 
5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.
 
6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.
 
7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.
 
8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.
 
9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.)
 
10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.
 
11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.
 
12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.
 
13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system . If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television. (Find it at  http://www.faketv.com/)
 
 
8 MORE THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU:
 
1. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guy and carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.
 
2. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and Nosy Neighbors.
 
3. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. If your neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again.. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.
 
4. I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?
 
5. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you're home, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.
 
6. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easier than you think to look up your address.
 
7. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.
 
8. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hit the jackpot and walk right in.
 

 
Protection for you and your home:
  
If you don't have a gun, here's a more humane way to wreck someone's evil plans for you.  (I guess I can get rid of the baseball bat.):

WASP SPRAY
  
A friend who is a receptionist in a church in a high risk area was concerned about someone coming into the office on Monday to rob them when they were counting the collection. She asked the local police department about using pepper spray and they recommended to her that she get a can of wasp spray instead.
 
The wasp spray, they told her, can shoot up to twenty feet away and is a lot more accurate, while with the pepper spray, they have to get too close to you and could overpower you. The wasp spray temporarily blinds an attacker until they get to the hospital for an antidote. She keeps a can on her desk in the office and it doesn't attract attention from people like a can of pepper spray would. She also keeps one nearby at home for home protection. Thought this was interesting and might be of use.
 
Self defense experts have a tip that could save your life:
 
Putting a can of wasp and hornet spray near your door or bed.
 
It is inexpensive, easy to find, and more effective than mace or pepper spray. The cans typically shoot 20 to 30 feet; so if someone tries to break into your home, "spray the culprit in the eyes 
"That's going to give you a chance to call the police; maybe get out."
 Maybe even save a life.
 
Put your car keys beside your bed at night:
(and your cell or house phone)

Tell your spouse, your children, your neighbors, your parents, your Dr's office, the check-out girl at the market, everyone you run across.  Put your car keys beside your bed at night.
 
If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car.  The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.  This tip came from a neighborhood watch coordinator. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, think of this:  It's a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain. It works if you park in your driveway or garage.  If your car alarm goes off when someone is trying to break into your house, odds are the burglar/rapist won't stick around.   After a few seconds all the neighbors will be looking out their windows to see who is out there and sure enough the criminal won't want that. And remember to carry your keys while walking to your car in a parking lot. The alarm can work the same way there.

Keep your phone next to your bed as well so you can call the police, don’t wait until the burglar is in your room.  If you hear someone in your house call right away.  This is also important if you have a fire break out in your home, you don’t have to fumble around looking for the phone charging in another room, put the charger on your night stand.

This is something that should really be shared with everyone. Maybe it could save a life or a sexual abuse crime.
  
Please pass this on even IF you've read it before. It's a reminder
 
Please share this with all the people in your life.
 

FRAUD/SCAMS 
 

1. A GAS or ELECTRIC company employee shows up at your door….They may threaten to shut your gas or electric off unless you pay them or they may state you have a credit but they will only take a credit card to give you credit or to take a payment, they carry a portable handheld unit that they can swipe your card on then they get your card # and pin.

2. If you let someone in your home don’t take your eyes off them, make sure you follow them to the restroom.  Lock the front door after they come in, chances are there is someone else with them that may try to enter while you are distracted.

3. Don’t except jobs from people going door to door that state you need work done.  Take a flyer if they have one, check to make sure they are a legitimate company and get other estimates.

4. If the person at your door has an emergency and wants to use your phone, DON’T LET THEM IN, offer to make a call for them or just call 911

5. There is no description I can give you of a typical criminal, today they show up, young and old, male and female

6. The bottom line is Don’t let anyone in your home.  Keep them outside while you check on things or make any calls the company to make sure the service call is legitimate.

7. Fraudulent mail: I am also getting reports that people are getting responses to items for sale or rent on EBay and Craig’s list.  You receive an email that they will take the item or rent the home and pay more that what the asking price is.  They will send you a check for one years rent etc…and ask you to send them the difference back.  You then take their check to the bank and deposit it.  You send them a check for the difference.  The problem is their check is bad and you just sent them good money, now you’re out what you sent them.  Don’t fall for this, if it sounds too good to be true it is!

8. Fraudulent Phone Calls:  they tell you that you need to get a relative out of jail by giving them your credit card # or by wiring it to them.

9. They tell you that you have won some $ or a trip but you have to send $ to get it (to cover taxes etc..)  SCAM you didn’t win anything so don’t give out any information, including foreign lottery, sweepstakes, scholarships, charities, pyramids and multilevel marketing, where you are promised big profits in exchange for recruiting others

10. Never Ever give the caller any bank account information even if they say they are from your bank, if they are really from your bank then they have all your information.

      Don’t verify account #’s or pin #’s.

Sign up for the DO NOT CALL LIST AT 1-888-382-1222 or go on their web site at WWW.donotcall.gov

I also recommend keeping an eye on your credit.  You can get a free credit report once a year. Go on line to www.ftc.gov/vredit or call 1-877-382-4357 or www.annualcreditreport.com

or you can call 1-877-322-8228. 

You can also obtain a copy through these three companies, EQUIFAX, EXPERIAN, or TRANS UNION

 

        
SCSPDCRIMEWATCH.NET

For Information please email:
crimewatch@scspdcrimewatch.net

Officer Cherie Mascarello
Community Resource Officer 

Officer Mascarello has been appointed to the position of Community Resource Officer of the St Clair Shores Police Department. Cherie is a 13 year veteran of the Department and has experience as a Certified DARE Officer. CRO Mascarello will serve as the liaison between the Police Department and the community in coordinating a Neighborhood and Business Crime Watch program.  Officer Mascarello can be reached at 445-5305 or Mascarello@scsmi.net.

To report crime or suspicious activity call
911 or 586-445-5222

POLICE, SCHOOLS AND PARENTS UNITE AGAINST SUBSTANCE ABUSE
 

Unfortunately, “friends” often try to make kids who say “no” to drugs, alcohol and

tobacco feel like outcasts. Peer pressure to try drugs, doesn’t end when kids say

“no”. In fact, pressure can increase when “friends” try harder to make kids feel like

dorks, wimps, or outcasts when they don’t go along with the crowd. It doesn’t have

to be that way. Home testing kits have emerged that protect privacy and provide

kids with a socially acceptable excuse, “my parents test me.”
 

For years, police have been the first to know when local kids used drugs while their

parents were often the last to know. We found a way to work together and turn that

around. We have recently announced a new alliance with TestMyTeen.com, an

organization that has donated over $5,000 worth of free home drug test kit vouchers

to be shared anonymously with parents who need them. Electronic vouchers

require no interaction with police. They protect the anonymity of parents who

redeem them online. Ordering is done online and shipping is done using nondescript

packaging to protect privacy.
 

Employers use testing to rid the workplace of substance abuse. Schools, police,

community leaders and parents can now work together to ensure safer schools and

homes. Kids can use it to prove their trustworthiness to their parents and dissolve

unwanted pressure from peers.
 

Private and confidential vouchers for free test kits (limit 1 per family, only shipping

fees apply) are available by visiting any one of the three high schools or middle

schools in St. Clair Shores.
 

Answers to frequently asked questions about home-based substance abuse testing

are available at www.TestMyTeen.com.

Additional Safety Tips

• Make sure you have sturdy metal or solid wood doors at all entries into your home and that sliding glass and similar doors are properly secured.
• Trim the shrubbery around your doors and windows so crooks don’t have a place to hide.
• Do not give out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or over the Internet unless you have initiated the contact or know with whom you are dealing.
• If you’re a senior, use direct deposit for your Social Security check and other regular payments.
• If you notice someone following you when you’re driving, head for the nearest busy, brightly lighted area. Write down the license number and make and model of the car. Call 911 or your local emergency number.
• Always lock car doors and take the keys when you leave your car, even if you’ll be gone “just for a minute.”
• Don’t leave valuables in view in the car. Leave them in the trunk or, better yet, take them home immediately.
• As you walk down the street or through the parking garage, walk alertly and assertively. Don’t weigh yourself down with too many parcels. Take several loads to the car if necessary.
• If you carry a purse, hold it close to your body; if a wallet, keep it in a front pocket.
• Don’t display your cash or any other inviting targets such as pagers, cell phones, hand-held electronic games, or expensive jewelry and clothing.
• When traveling, carry only the credit and ATM cards you absolutely need. Leave the others at home, safely stored.
• Make sure your home is secure when you are traveling—all deadbolts locked, lights left on timers, newspapers stopped, and mail held at the post office or collected by a trusted neighbor who has your travel schedule.

Numbers to Call to Identify Utility Company Workers:

Detroit Edison: 1-800-477-4747
Consumers Power: 1-800-477-5050
Ameritech or Phone Company: Call local operator (dial 0) and they can assist you.