City of South San Francisco Offers Safety and Crime Prevention Tips

South San Francisco, CA  August 2, 2022 Source: City Website

UPDATE: VIRTUAL TOWN HALL MEETING AUGUST 8 TO ADDRESS PROPERTY CRIMES CLICK HERE

SAFETY AND CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

Three factors must be present for a crime to occur: desire, ability and opportunity. You can have a significant impact on the last one – opportunity – and reduce crime by following these simple crime prevention tips. See the information below and to the left on the side navigation bar for more helpful tips CLICK HERE.

AT HOME

• Use a door viewer before opening your door. Always demand identification from strangers (even repair or sales persons).
• Always lock up your home before leaving and don’t hide your house keys outdoors anywhere.
• Have keys ready and in your hand for immediate use when you return home.
• Use interior and exterior lighting at all times.
• Shred credit card offers and bank statements before you throw them away if you do not plan on using them.
• Hide or destroy boxes from expensive purchases.
• Do not answer personal questions about your home such as type of alarm, daytime occupancy, etc.
• Do not let people inside your home (to use the bathroom, phone, etc.).
• Avoid mail theft by obtaining a locked mailbox and dropping off outgoing mail at the local post office.
• Do not give out your personal information or credit card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
• Safeguard your home and yourself while you are away.

CATALYTIC CONVERTER THEFT

• ***Learn how to prevent Catalytic Converter Theft.*** Not much help here – see below
  

WALKING

• Plan your route ahead of time. Never walk alone at night; walk with a friend or your dog.
• Use well-lit streets, not dark alleys or bushy areas.
• Carry signaling devices like shriek alarms or a whistle.
• Carry defensive devices such as pepper spray.
• Be alert to what’s all around you! Look behind you occasionally.
• Never ask for or accept a ride from a stranger.
• Don’t carry large sums of money or wear valuable jewelry.
• Don’t resist an armed robber. Hand over whatever is demanded quickly and quietly.
• Remember, your life and safety is worth more than any personal property.

PURSE/WALLET PROTECTION

• If possible, don’t carry a purse. Never carry anything you can’t afford to lose in it.
• Carry your purse across the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.
• Carry your keys, wallet or other valuables in pockets in your clothes and not in your hand.
• Carry minimum amounts of cash and credit cards. Keep a record of all of your card numbers.
• Check out how to prevent Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim of it.

DRIVING

• Always look inside your vehicle before getting in.
• Lock all doors immediately after you are in the vehicle.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• If a stranger approaches while you are in a vehicle, keep the windows up, doors locked and engine running.
• Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
• Park in well-lit areas at night.
• Always lock your car when leaving it.
• Consider installing an auto burglar alarm system.
• Don’t leave anything valuable in your car if at all possible.

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Theft of catalytic converters continue to be a big problem in South City and neighbors report how brazen these thefts have become. Because it has become such a problem, neighbors are seeking real tips on how to prevent these crimes from happening. Consumer Reports state catalytic converter theft rose 325 percent nationwide between 2019 and 2020, according to the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) and this trend does not seem to be slowing down anytime soon.  Have you found a way to reduce your risk of being a victim? Let us know in the comment section below.

Consumer Reports share these tips, highlighted in the City’s information above, however, the anti-theft devices are very pricey – between $100-300 and parking is what it is – we take what we find. In addition, local thefts have taken place during the day time while people are out on the streets and the vehicles are parked in the driveway or in front of the owners home. Taxpayers need more help than this to keep neighborhoods safe. What are your thoughts on this?