Playing Your Part in Preventing Crime

At the V. I. D. A. meeting on May 21, we learned that  burglaries, muggings, car break-ins, grand larcenies and theft of electronic devices are up in some areas of Bedford-Stuyvesant.  Police Department representatives provided us with information on how we as citizens can take simple measures to prevent crime. 

Most crimes are crimes of opportunity.  The best way to reduce crime is to prevent it from happening.

Don’t Make Yourself a Target

 When walking late at night take these precautions;

• Walk with a group or a buddy.
• Don’t display your valuables (cell phone, iPod).
• Do not text or listen to an iPod or other device when walking, especially late at night. You are less likely to be aware of, or hear an assailant if you are texting or listening to music. Most people who are mugged are accosted from behind
• Plan your daily route with safety in mind. 
• Have your keys ready and out before your reach your door. Many people are attacked at their front door while rummaging for keys in a purse or pocket.

Project Your Home and Car 

• Do not leave laptops, hand bags or valuables in your car including the trunk. Predators are watching, they will see you putting valuable in the truck or under the seat.
• Do not leave windows to fire escapes open.
• Do not place electronics in your home where they are visible from a window.
• Cover your windows.
• Cut up shipping boxes for new electronic devices before putting in the garbage. Don’t advertise your new purchase.

  NYPD Crime Prevention Programs

All precincts in NYC offer the following crime prevention programs free of charge.

• Operation Identification
  Items of value, such as computers, televisions, radios etc., are engraved with an identification number and registered with the police department.
• V. I. N. Etching Program
  Vehicle Identification Number is permanently etched into the glass of your vehicle and registered with the precinct.  If the car thief attempts to remove the numbers from the window, it will leave a scar and make it difficult to sell the glass or the automobile.
• Combat Auto Theft (C. A. T.)
  Registering your automobile in the C. A. T. Program authorizes the police to stop the vehicle between the hours of 1:00 am and 5:00 am (when vehicles are stolen) and properly identify the operator.
• Commuter C. A. T. Program
  Similar to C. A. T., this program is designed for commuters who park their cars during the hours 10:00 am an 4:00 pm.
• Help End Auto Theft (H. E. A. T.)
  Persons under 25 cannot operate the vehicle and you must be age 40 or older to register.
• Bicycle Registration
  Bicycles are engraved with an identification number and registered with the precinct.
• Formal Trespass Affidavit Program (F-TAP)
  The Formal Trespass Affidavit Program was designed by the District Attorney’s Office and is enforced by the New York City Police Department.  The program is designed to arrest trespassers within apartment buildings where owners participate in this program. Interested building owners can call the precinct F-TAP coordinator.
• Security Surveys
  Security surveys are a free service rendered by the precinct, where a confidential survey is conducted on your home, apartment or business to determine how you can better secure your property and deter crime.
• Senior Citizens
  If you are senior and a victim of a crime, you may be eligible for assistance to upgrade your security profile.

If you want to participate in any of the above programs, speak with your precinct’s crime prevention office.

 NOTE:  You may be eligible to obtain a discount on your car insurance by utilizing the various programs.  For more information, contact your insurance representative.

 Next Time:  A Look and the 81^st Precinct and Its New Commander