Crime Prevention and Safety Tips

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BICYCLE THEFT PREVENTION TIPS

Bike Theft Prevention

• Always lock you bike at home, at school, on the street or even in a college dormitory.

• Keep a record of your original purchase receipts and any bike serial numbers.

• Remember: the newer the bike the more desirable to thieves.

• Identify and mark you bike. Engrave, tape, paint and other means are helpful ways to personalize your bike and keep a photo of your bike on record.

• Lock your bike to a fixed, immovable object such as a bike rack.

• Always lock your bike in a visible and well-lighted area.

• Select a location where there are other bikes.

• Don’t leave a bike unlocked.

• Don’t lock your bike to small trees, aluminum or wooded posts or chain link fences — these items can be easily broken or cut.

• Don’t lock your bike to anything that is posted illegal.

• Don’t position your lock to the ground. A thief can attack a lock more easily and less obviously in that position.

• Position your bike frame and wheels so that you fill or take up as much open space within the U-portion of the lock as possible. The tighter the lock up, the harder it is for thieves to use tools to attack your lock.

• Don’t lock your bike in the same location all the time.

• Wear a helmet.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Date: November 13^th, 2007

Subject: Vehicle Break Ins - Crime Prevention Tips

The Stratford Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit wants our residents to be aware of a recent rash of motor vehicles being broken into in Town. Currently the majority of theses incidents are occurring in the parking lots, or to vehicles parked along the roadside in both business and residential areas.

Operators of motor vehicles occasionally leave their personal valuables locked inside the passenger compartment of their car. Thieves have been breaking into these cars and stealing easily removable items, or items left in plain view, such as wallets, purses, laptop computers, and GPS units.

Residents are urged to leave their valuable personal items locked in the trunk of their vehicles, where they will not be visible to a would-be thief. Additional measures of security would be to remove the valuable item, and store it in another safe location, such as in the place residence or business, especially during the overnight hours. Whenever it is possible, one should park their vehicle in a well-lit area, and as close to the front of a building as practical.

All of our citizens are urged to be aware of any unusual or out of place activity, and to please call the Stratford Police Department if you see any suspicious activity in our community. The Stratford Police Department relies on residents to help prevent criminal activity in all of our neighborhoods. If you witness criminal activity in progress please call 911.

Any town resident wishing to get more information on this or any other crime prevention issue may contact Detective Brian Budd at 385-4127 in the Crime Prevention Office.

For additional crime prevention tips visit www.crimewatchstrfd.org