VEHICLE THEFT PREVENTION
- Securing Your Vehicle
- Be Alert!!
- Lock your car! Take your keys with you.
- Never hide a spare key on the vehicle.
- Roll up windows completely.
- Remove keys from ignition.
- Park in well-lighted areas.
- When parking in attended lots or parking garages, leave only the ignition key with the attendant.
- Park as close as possible to an open business.
- Do not leave valuables in sight to tempt a thief. Most auto burglaries are caused by cellular phones, laptops, or other valuables left in plain sight.
- Always park with the wheels turned toward the curb.
- Back your car into the driveway. If you drive forward into the driveway, a car thief could raise the hood to hot wire the car, and it would appear to the neighbors that you were just working on the car.
- If you have a garage, use it.
- Lock your garage door.
- When going out of town, if possible, remove the distributor cap or the coil wire.
- NEVER leave your car running while it is unattended.
IF YOUR CAR IS STOLEN...
- Call the Sheriff's Station. Vehicle theft should be reported as soon as possible. However, before the vehicle can be listed as stolen, you must have your vehicle's license number and/or the vehicle identification number (also called the VIN number).
- Stolen vehicles are sometimes used in the commission of other crimes. Quick action often results in recovery of your vehicle as well as prevention of another crime. If the criminal is apprehended, be willing to file charges and testify in court.
- If you recover your own vehicle, you must not touch or move your vehicle in order to preserve possible evidence. You should call 911 immediately to report the recovery. If you do not follow these steps, your car will continue to be listed as stolen and you may be pulled over at gunpoint, because the deputies or police officers with assume you are the car thief!
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ATM SECURITY TIPS
You can use Automatic Teller Machines (ATM) easily, quickly and safely, by following these important tips:
- BE ALERT
- As you approach the ATM, be on the alert for any suspicious persons or circumstances. If you observe or sense something wrong or suspicious, DO NOT USE THE MACHINE! IMMEDIATELY LEAVE THE AREA. Come back at another time or use another ATM at a different location.
- GIVE DISTANCE TO OTHER CUSTOMERS
When standing in line to use the ATM, do NOT stand directly behind the person actually using the machine. Allow adequate distance so your fellow customers may conduct their transaction privately and confidentially.
- SHIELD KEYBOARD WITH YOUR BODY
Be careful that no one can see you punch your Personal Identification Number (PIN) into the ATM. Stand directly in front of the ATM and use your body to "shield" the keyboard as you punch your PIN into the machine. Once you have "shielded" the keyboard, you can safely punch in your PIN without another person observing.
- LEAVING THE ATM
DO NOT COUNT OR VISUALLY EXPOSE ANY MONEY you received from the ATM. IMMEDIATELY put your money into your pocket or purse before leaving the ATM. When leaving the ATM, carefully watch for anyone following or approaching you. Always keep a safe distance between you and any stranger. If you are still being followed, go IMMEDIATELY to the nearest business, store, coffee shop, or place where people are. If you are being followed by a car, IMMEDIATELY drive to the nearest Sheriff, Police, or Fire station, or any place with lots of people. Notify law enforcement immediately.
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DOMESTIC VIOLENCE
As many as 4 million people in this country suffer some kind of violence at the hands of their spouse or domestic partner each year. Very few will tell anyone -- a friend, a relative, a neighbor, or the police. Victims of domestic violence come from ALL walks of life, all cultures, all income groups, all ages, all religions, and all orientations. They share feelings of helplessness, isolation, guilt, fear, and shame.
ARE YOU ABUSED?
DOES THE PERSON YOU LOVE... "Track" all of your time?
Constantly accuse you of being unfaithful?
Discourage your relationships with family and friends?
Prevent you from working or attending school?
Criticize you for little things?
Anger easily when drinking or using other drugs?
Control all your finances and force you to account in detail for what you spend?
Humiliate you in front of others?
Destroy personal property or sentimental items?
Hit, punch, slap, kick, or bite you or your children?
Use or threaten to use a weapon against your?
Threaten to hurt you or the children?
Force you to have sex against your will?
IF YOU FIND YOURSELF SAYING YES TO ANY OF THESE, IT'S TIME TO GET HELP! DON'T IGNORE THE PROBLEM!
Talk to someone. Part of the abuser's power comes from secrecy. Victims are often ashamed to let anyone know about intimate family problems. Go to a friend or neighbor, or call a domestic violence hotline to talk to a counselor.
Plan ahead and know what you will do if you are attacked again. If you decide to leave, choose a place to go; set aside some money. Put important papers together-- marriage license, birth certificates, checkbooks--in a place where you can get them quickly.
Learn to think independently. Try to plan for the future and set goals for yourself.
IF YOU ARE HURT, WHAT CAN YOU DO?
There are no easy answers, but there are things you can do to protect yourself:
Call the sheriff or police. Assault, even by family members, is a crime. The police often have information about shelters and other agencies that help victims of domestic violence.
Leave, or have someone come and stay with you. Go to a shelter- -call a crisis hotline or a community center to locate a shelter. If you believe that you, or your children, are in danger--leave immediately.
Get medical attention from your doctor or a hospital emergency room. Ask the staff to photograph your injuries and keep detailed records in case you decide to take legal action.
Contact your local Superior Court for information about a restraining order that does not involve criminal charges or penalties.
HAVE YOU HURT SOMEONE IN YOUR FAMILY?
Accept the fact that your violent behavior will destroy your family. Be aware that you break the law when you physically hurt someone.
Take responsibility for your actions and get help.
When you feel tension building, get away. Work off the angry energy through a walk, a project, a sport.
Call a domestic violence hotline or health center and ask about counseling and support groups for people who batter.
THE HIGH COST OF DOMESTIC VIOLENCE:
Men and women who follow their parents' example and use violence to solve conflicts are teaching the same destructive behavior to their children.
Jobs can be lost or careers stalled because of injuries, arrests, or harassment.
Violence may even result in death.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & HOTLINES:
24 Hour DV Crisis Line (310) 858-9344
Jewish Family Services / Family Violence Project
7362 Santa Monica Blvd
West Hollywood, CA 90046
Center for Pacific Asian Families
(Asian Languages)
(323) 653-4049
East L.A. Family Violence Shelter (Spanish)
(323) 268-7564
The STOP Partner Abuse /
Domestic Violence Program
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
1625 N. Schrader Blvd.
Los Angeles, CA 90028-6213
Tel: (323) 860-5806
Fax: (323) 993-7699
domesticviolence@laglc.org
Website: http://www.laglc.org/domesticviolence
Haven House - Pasadena
(323) 681-9696
1736 Family Crisis Center -
Hermosa Beach
(310) 379-3620
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RAPE PREVENTION
RAPE IS ABOUT POWER, CONTROL, AND ANGER
- Think about the unthinkable.
- Don't mask the facts about rape with myths and stereotypes.
THE TRUTH IS...
- RAPE is an act of violence. It is an attempt to control and degrade using sex as a weapon.
- RAPE can happen to anyone -- children, students, wives, mothers, working women, grandmothers, the rich and poor, men, and boys.
- RAPISTS can be anyone -- classmates, co-workers, a neighbor or delivery person, ugly or attractive, outgoing or shy, often a friend or family member.
- RAPISTS rape again and again, until caught.
USE YOUR HEAD
- Be alert! Walk with confidence and purpose.
- Be aware of your surroundings -- know who's out there and what's going on.
- Don't let alcohol or other drugs cloud your judgment.
- Trust your instincts. If a situation or place makes you feel uncomfortable or uneasy, leave!
COMMON SENSE INDOORS
- Make sure all doors (don't forget sliding glass doors) and windows have dead bolt locks, and use them!
- Install a peephole in the door.
- Keep entrances well-lighted.
- Never open your door to strangers.
- Offer to make an emergency call while someone waits outside.
- Check the identification of any sales or service people before letting them in. - Don't be embarrassed to phone for verification.
- Be wary of isolated spots -- apartment laundry rooms, underground garages, parking lots, offices after business hours. Walk with a friend, co-worker, or security guard, particularly at night.
- Know your neighbors so you have someone to call or go to if you're scared.
- If you come home and see a door or window open, or broken, don't go in.
Call the police from a public phone or neighbor's home.
COMMON SENSE OUTDOORS
- Avoid walking or jogging alone, especially at night.
- Stay in well-lighted areas.
- Wear clothes and shoes that give you freedom of movement.
- Be careful if anyone in a car ask you for directions -- if you answer, keep your distance from the car.
- Have your key ready before you reach the door -- home, car, or office.
If you think you're being followed, change direction and head for open stores, restaurants, theaters, or a lighted house.
- Park in areas that will be well-lighted and well-traveled when you return.
- Always lock your car -- when you get in and when you get out.
- Look around your car and in the back seat before you get in.
- If your car breaks down, lift the hood, lock the doors, and turn on flashers. Use a "Call Police" banner or flares. If someone stops, roll the window down slightly and ask the person to call the police or a tow service.
- Don't hitchhike, ever! . . . And don't ever pick up hitchhikers!
WHEN THE UNTHINKABLE HAPPENS
- How should you handle a rape attempt?
It depends on your physical and emotional state, the situation, the rapist's personality. There are no hard and fast, right or wrong answers, surviving is the goal.
- Try to escape. Scream, be rude, and make noise to discourage your attacker from following you.
- Talk, stall for time, and assess your options.
If the rapist has a weapon, you may have no choice but to submit. Do whatever it takes to survive.
- If you decide to fight back, you must be quick and effective. Target the eyes or groin.
SURVIVING A RAPE
- Report rape or any sexual assault to the police or a rape crisis center. The sooner you tell, the greater the chances the rapist will be caught.
- Preserve all physical evidence. Don't shower, bathe, change clothes, douche, or throw any clothing away until the police or rape counselor say it's okay.
- Go to a hospital emergency room or your own doctor for medical care immediately. Don't go alone. Ask a friend or family member to go with you or call a rape crisis center or school counselor.
- Get counseling to help deal with feelings of anger, helplessness, fear, and shame caused by rape. It helps to talk to someone about the rape, whether it happened last night, last week, or years ago.
- Remember, rape is not your fault!
Do not accept blame for being an innocent victim.
IF SOMEONE YOU KNOW HAS BEEN RAPED...
- Believe him or her.
- Don't blame the victim.
- Offer support, patience, and compassion to help the rape victim work through the crisis, heal, and emerge a survivor.
- TAKE A STAND
- Ask a Neighborhood Watch group, school, employer, church, library, or civic group to organize a workshop on preventing rape. Make sure it addresses concerns of both men and women.
- Volunteer at a rape crisis center.
- If you see a TV program or movie that reinforces sexual stereotypes and sends the message that women really like to be raped, protest. Write to the station, the studio, or the sponsors. On the other side, publicly commend the media when they do a great job in depicting the realities of rape.
ADDITIONAL RESOURCES & HOTLINES:
Santa Monica - UCLA Medical Center
Rape Treatment Center
1250 16th Street
Santa Monica, CA 90404
(310) 319-4000
L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center
Anti-Violence Project
1625 N. Schrader Blvd
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(800) 373-2227
avp@lagic.org
Rosa Parks Sexual Assault Crisis Center
South Central LA
(Spanish Available)
(323) 751-9245
Center for Pacific Asian Families Shelter and Hotline
(Asian languages available)
(323) 653-4042
(800) 339-3940
Compton YWCA Rape Hotline
(Spanish Available)
(310) 764-1403
East Los Angeles Rape and Battering Hotline
(Spanish Available)
(800) 585-6231
South Bay Rape Crisis Center
(310) 545-2111
Valley Trauma Center
(818) 886-0453
