CRIME PREVENTION

Crime prevention activities are the concern of every Blackfoot Police Officer. The Administrative Lieutenant coordinates the Department’s Crime Prevention Programs. The crime prevention officer coordinates the following activities:

 · Department tours 
· Security surveys for home and business 
· Citizens on Patrol

RESIDENTIAL CRIME/BURGLARY PREVENTION

1.  Install solid-core or metal outside doors and quality deadbeat locks. Since some intruders enter a residence by physically destroying a door or doorframe, strong doors and frames, including your garage door, are essential to your security. Exterior doors must be metal or solid-core wooden doors that are a minimum of 1 3/8" thick. Steel doors and frames are harder to destroy than simple wood doors and frames. If you have wooden doors and frames, you can increase your security by taking out the least possible amount of wood when installing any security device. Hollow-core doors are not recommended.

2. Use a door peephole or view grill. Always acknowledge a caller at your door, but do not open it. Some burglars ring the doorbell, and if there is no answer, attempt to break in. You do not want that type of surprise company. A peephole with a 180-degree viewing angle is excellent for you to use to verify who is on the other side of your door.

3.  Never open your door to anyone you do not know. Always verify by telephone that the person works for the company he says he represents and has been sent for the reason stated if you were not expecting him.

4. Put supplemental locking devices on all windows. In a substantial number of all reported burglaries, entry was made through a window. Window locks that secure both the inside and outside frames can provide another effective means of thwarting the would-be burglar. Auxiliary locking devices such as screws, wooden dowels, pinning devices, and key-operated locks can secure windows.

5.  Install secondary locks on sliding glass doors. People often install sturdy locks on their front doors but leave sliding doors "wide open" to illegal entry. Usually a sliding door is more secluded from public view than a front door, making a perfect place for a thief to enter. One way to help increase your security is to install a bolt lock on your door to help prevent the door from being slid or lifted off its track. Remember, if you can keep burglars occupied for several minutes trying to get a door or window open, they'll often become frustrated and move on.

6.  Always keep your garage door closed and locked. A deadbolt lock is especially important here. Once inside the garage, a burglar can work uninterrupted at getting into the house. Your garage and its possessions are part of your home too. Keeping it locked is just as important as keeping your home locked, especially if the garage is attached to the home.

7.  When away for an extended period of time, cancel mail and suspend newspaper delivery. An accumulation of mail and newspapers is a sure sign that a resident is not at home. Arrange in advance to have a neighbor take in any papers, mail, or free samples that may arrive while you are gone.

8.  Have a trusted neighbor watch your home when you are away. The watchful eyes of your neighbors are some of the best crime prevention tools available. So many burglaries could be stopped or prevented if only more people would report suspicious happenings. Tell the neighbor who is watching your home where you'll be and how long you'll be gone. In case anything happens, the neighbor can make a prompt report to the police. Join and participate in the Citizens on Patrol program.  You may also file a request by phone (785-1235) or in person with the Blackfoot Police Department for a House Watch or Extra Patrol.

9.  Be sure your home always looks "lived in". Leave some interior lights on when away. Various times should be used to turn your lights on and off automatically. However, don't leave lights on 24 hours a day. Lights burning night and day do not look natural. Set the timer so the lights are on until normal bedtime hours. Burglars are nervous about two-story homes that have lights burning on both floors. Leaving a radio or TV on may also be beneficial. If your TV has its own timer, use it.

10.  Do not leave a door key under a doormat, in a mailbox or other outside spot where a burglar could easily find it. If you must leave a key behind, keep it with a trusted neighbor. Make sure that each member of your family knows where the key is.

11.  Do not give house keys to parking lot attendants or mechanics. Give these people your car ignition key only. Do not carry an identification tag on your key ring. This could allow a would-be thief to easily identify your home or vehicle.

12.  Do not leave ladders or tools outside your home where a burglar could use them to break into your home.

13.  Keep doors and windows highly visible. Outdoor, low voltage lights on timers and neatly trimmed shrubs and foliage eliminates potential hiding places and allow neighbors and police to see and report any suspicious activity.

14.  Participate in Blackfoot Citizens on Patrol. For Information regarding Citizens on patrol contact the Blackfoot Police Department at 785-1235.

15.  Do not give out information over the phone to anyone you do not personally know.

16.  Be suspicious of anyone you do not know who asks about your schedule and plans.

SEXUAL ASSAULT PREVENTION

I.  If you hear a prowler inside your home, get out of the house, if possible, through a back door or window. Avoid any confrontation with the prowler.

2.  When returning home, have your keys ready and enter the house as quickly as possible.

3.  If you sense that something is not right, do not go into your home or apartment. Call the police at 911.

4.  If a stranger asks to use your phone, get the information and place the call for him. Do not allow any stranger in your home. 
5.  Never let it be known that you are home alone.

6.  Do not leave clubs or nightspots with strangers or invite them to your home or apartment.

7.  Most service company employees carry identification cards. Examine the identification carefully. If such a person does not have an identification card, get his name and phone the company he claims to represent before letting him in. Never open your door to anyone you do not know. Always verify by telephone that the person works for the company they say they represent and that the person has been sent for the reason stated, if you were not expecting them.

8.  Do not give your name, phone number, or address to a telephone caller.

9.  Hang up on obscene or frightening phone calls. Write down the date, time, and what was said and heard in the call. If threatening or obscene calls persist, report them to the telephone company after making a police report.

10.  Know the neighbors you can trust in an emergency.

11.  Use your initials rather than your first name in the phone book and on your mailbox.

 ROBBERY PREVENTION

1.  Avoid poorly lighted areas. Most crimes of violence occur between 6:00 PM and midnight. If you find that you must walk in poorly lighted areas, walk purposefully. Communicate the message that you are calm, confident, and know what is going on around you. Make quick-but-deliberate eye contact with people around you.

2.  When walking to your vehicle, have your car keys in hand before starting across a parking lot, so you do not make yourself vulnerable while searching for the right key.

3.  When driving, keep car doors locked at all times. Keep the windows rolled up enough so that an arm cannot be inserted through the opening.

4.  Avoid displaying large amounts of cash or other tempting targets such as jewelry, purses, compact discs, etc.

5.  When using a bank's automatic teller machine, be aware of people loitering in the area. If you see a suspicious person, do not use your card. 
6.  Always park your car in well-lighted areas. This will enable you to see your car and its surroundings from as far away as possible.

7.  Park as close to an open business as possible.

AUTO THEFT PREVENTION

1.  Always lock your car.

2.  Take your keys.

3.  Never hide a spare key on the vehicle.

4. Roll up windows completely.

 5. Park in well-lighted areas.

    6.  When parking in attended lots or parking garages, leave 
only the ignition key with the attendant.

    7.  Do not leave valuables in sight to tempt a thief.

    8.  If you have a garage, use it and lock your garage door.

    9.  Never leave your car running while it is unattended.

10.  Install an ignition kill switch or other theft prevention device.

                                                                                               BACK