Warm Weather Brings Added Dangers

New Castle County Police Department

Colonel Rick S. Gregory Chief of Police 

NEWS RELEASE 

Corporal Trinidad Navarro Media Coordinator’s Office

                                                                                         

April 27, 2009

 

Warm Weather Brings Added Dangers

 

Over the past week, New Castle County Police have investigated a number of property crimes and suspicious vehicles that could be contributed to the recent warm weather.  In some cases (property crimes), residents have left their windows open while the homes were unattended and in others, homeowners simply forgot to close their garage doors.  Additionally, County Police have also investigated at least two cases where passing motorists have made unsolicited offers to two area juveniles offering car rides.  Although both cases do not rise to the level of an attempted abduction, police would like to notify the public of the potential dangers and offer safety tips for our youth. 

 

To help protect your home against break-ins:

 

• The most obvious, but most often overlooked; remember to lock all doors and windows.  Most burglars are opportunist who will look for an easy entry by checking for locked doors and windows.  In New Castle County, the majority of burglaries occur during the week while most citizens are at work.  Statistically, your home is more likely to be burglarized on Mondays and Thursdays between the late morning and late afternoon hours. 
• While glass can be broken, a cheap $.49 wood dowel will keep windows and sliding doors from being pried open and acts as a deterrent.  Be mindful to not obstruct a potential exit in case of a fire. 
• If you are not are out, create the illusion that someone is home.  Leaving a TV on a timing system is often more effective than just having lights go on.  The sound is more convincing to someone surveying the house than just a light being left on.
• The use of motion sensor lights makes it harder for a burglar to remain stealthy entering the house at night.   Also consider installing one in the back yard if you have entrances back there.  Besides, a bright enough light will help you figure out what your dog is barking at—at all hours of the night.
• Place security alarm stickers on your windows.  They’ll let burglars know that you have security measures in place. 
• Keep an eye out for “solicitors”.  Often times a burglar will pose as a solicitor, check your doors, and if the opportunity presents itself, will break in to the house.
• Alert a trusted neighbor when you will be gone for an extended period of time.
• Contact your post office to suspend your mail delivery and also suspend your local newspaper.
• ALWAYS lock your car doors, especially if you keep a garage door opener inside. 

 

According to FBI statistics, a home is burglarized once every 15 seconds in the United States.  With a few preventative measures, we can make this crime one of the most preventable.

 

 

 

To help protect your children: (According the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children)

 

What are the most important things parents should tell children about safety?

1. Always check first with a parent, guardian, or trusted adult before going anywhere, accepting anything, or getting into a car with anyone.
2. Do not go out alone. Always take a friend with when going places or playing outside.
3. Say no if someone tries to touch you, or treats you in a way that makes you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused. Get out of the situation as quickly as possible.
4. Tell a parent, guardian, or trusted adult if you feel scared, uncomfortable, or confused.
5. There will always be someone to help you, and you have the right to be safe.

What should a parent know when talking to a child about safety?

1. Don’t forget your older children. Children aged 11 to 17 are equally at risk to become victims of crime.  At the same time you are giving your older children more freedom, make sure they understand important safety rules as well.
2. Speak to your children in a manner that is calm and non-threatening. Children do not need to be scared in order to get the point across to them.  In fact, fear can thwart the safety message, because fear can be upsetting to a child which could lead them to block out your message. 
3. Speak openly. Children will be less likely to come to you about private issues.  If they feel that you are comfortable discussing the subject at hand, they may be more forthcoming.
4. Do not teach “stranger danger.” Children do not have the same understanding of “strangers” as adults; the concept is difficult for them to grasp. And, based on what we know about those who harm children, people known to children and/or their families actually present greater danger to children than do “strangers.”
5. Practice what you preach. You may think your children understand your message, but until they can incorporate it into their daily lives, it may not be clearly understood. Find opportunities to practice “what if” scenarios.
6. Teach your children that safety is more important than manners. In other words, it is more important for children to get themselves out of a threatening situation than it is to be polite. They also need to know that it is okay to tell you what happened, and they won’t be tattletales.