Delaware State Delaware State PolicePolice

Personal Safety Personal Safety PresentationPresentation

Why is this important?Why is this important?

Late 2006 to early 2007 saw a Late 2006 to early 2007 saw a drastic increase in the number of drastic increase in the number of robberies.robberies.

Several of the most recent robberies Several of the most recent robberies involved suspects targeting women. involved suspects targeting women.

The law enforcement community has The law enforcement community has an obligation to present information an obligation to present information to the public to assist in keeping our to the public to assist in keeping our citizens safe.citizens safe.

Why have woman been Why have woman been targeted?targeted?

Feeling of power Feeling of power by the suspects.by the suspects.

Low threat level.Low threat level. Woman historically Woman historically

carry purses and carry purses and wear more jewelry.wear more jewelry.

Suspects have the Suspects have the time to be time to be selective- selective- predatory predatory approach.approach.

Where have these crimes Where have these crimes occurred?occurred?

Shopping centersShopping centers Parking lotsParking lots RestaurantsRestaurants Convenience Convenience

StoresStores

Lessons LearnedLessons Learned What can you do:What can you do:

Walk with a purpose.Walk with a purpose. Don’t advertise YOUR Don’t advertise YOUR

belongings.belongings. Take only what you Take only what you

may need.may need. Keep hands free when Keep hands free when

possible.possible. Don’t be idle- targets Don’t be idle- targets

are easiest located are easiest located when stationary.when stationary.

Other suggestions?Other suggestions?

Lessons Learned Cont.Lessons Learned Cont.

Trust your instinctsTrust your instincts If something tells you to be cautions, If something tells you to be cautions,

trust your gut.trust your gut. Don’t force yourself to be in situations Don’t force yourself to be in situations

where you don’t feel comfortable.where you don’t feel comfortable. Do not be predictable.Do not be predictable.

Keep keys and cell phone readily Keep keys and cell phone readily available.available.

Staying Safe Means Staying Safe Means Being AwareBeing Aware

Stay in your comfort zone- but don’t Stay in your comfort zone- but don’t be too comfortable.be too comfortable.

Scan and look aroundScan and look around ““I thought he looked funny.”I thought he looked funny.” ““I knew that guy was looking at me.”I knew that guy was looking at me.” ““He just looked suspicious.”He just looked suspicious.”

Crime occurs when we least expect Crime occurs when we least expect it. it.

There is Safety in There is Safety in NumbersNumbers

Try not to walk Try not to walk alone.alone.

Don’t enter and Don’t enter and leave stores by leave stores by yourself.yourself.

Park in high traffic Park in high traffic visible areas.visible areas.

Pick PocketsPick Pockets

Work in teams.Work in teams. Look for targets.Look for targets. Primarily woman with purses.Primarily woman with purses. Wallets removed, credit cards and Wallets removed, credit cards and

cash taken, and the wallets are cash taken, and the wallets are returned.returned.

Crimes occur quickly after the Crimes occur quickly after the original theft.original theft.

What You Can DoWhat You Can Do

Keep your purse in view.Keep your purse in view. Keep your items secure inside.Keep your items secure inside. Know what you are carrying.Know what you are carrying. Check your purse often.Check your purse often. Be aware of your surroundings.Be aware of your surroundings. Keep a list of important numbers Keep a list of important numbers

and phone numbers at home.and phone numbers at home.

What Happens if a Robbery What Happens if a Robbery Occurs?Occurs?

Stay reasonably calm and focused.Stay reasonably calm and focused. Recognize a no-win situation.Recognize a no-win situation. Don’t put yourself in harms way!Don’t put yourself in harms way!

Be a Good WitnessBe a Good Witness Make this a priority.Make this a priority. Carry a pen / pencil and Carry a pen / pencil and

paper in vehicle and paper in vehicle and record details record details immediately.immediately.

Utilize cell phone if Utilize cell phone if possible.possible.

Call 911 immediately.Call 911 immediately. Identify other witnesses Identify other witnesses

and ask them to stay.and ask them to stay.

Good Descriptions Solve Good Descriptions Solve CrimesCrimes

The suspect is described asThe suspect is described as White male.White male. 5’10” tall. 5’10” tall. Wearing a green shirt displaying ‘Nike’ in white Wearing a green shirt displaying ‘Nike’ in white

writing.writing. He wore black track pants with two white He wore black track pants with two white

stripes down the side of the leg. stripes down the side of the leg. The suspect had a scar on his left cheek.The suspect had a scar on his left cheek. He spoke with a low raspy voice.He spoke with a low raspy voice. His hair was close cut on the sides and long on His hair was close cut on the sides and long on

top. top.

Vehicle Descriptions Vehicle Descriptions Help Too!Help Too!

The vehicle is described as:The vehicle is described as: Blue Honda two doorBlue Honda two door Displayed DE 12345Displayed DE 12345 There was a scratch along the hood There was a scratch along the hood Two air-fresheners hung from the rear Two air-fresheners hung from the rear

view mirror.view mirror.

How is a Crime How is a Crime Investigated? Investigated?

Call for service- 911Call for service- 911 Officer responds and Officer responds and

initial report is taken.initial report is taken. Suspect description and Suspect description and

vehicle description are vehicle description are broadcasted to police broadcasted to police agencies for specified agencies for specified time.time.

Report forwarded to Report forwarded to detective for follow-up.detective for follow-up.

Cases compared and Cases compared and leads followed. leads followed.

Questions?Questions?