Living in Benton Park - Safety

The City Police Department

Benton Park is in Police District #3

Your Nationhood Stabilization Officer

Benton Park - Ward 7 portion
NSO: Caroline Halyburton
(314) 613-7148

Benton Park - Ward 9 portion
NSO: Dena Hibbard
(314) 613-3109

and then there is always my favorite - Barb Potts (picture). She may not be directly assigned to our neighborhood anymore but, she is VERY helpful and effective! : 314-397-1091 (cell)

Useful numbers:

	Police - Gang/Narcotics Hotline: 241-COPS
	Police - Operation Safe street: 622 - 3444
	Problem Properties: 622-3600
	Citizen Service Bureau / Street Lights / Animal Control - 622-4800

Get you Club today!

Clubs can be bought through the office of the NSO. I believe they are still only $10 for a car club and slightly more ($15 or $18) for the larger SUV club. They are located on the 4th floor of city hall. Their number is 622-4628.

Here is the link to the City of St. Louis Police Department's web site.

Here a cool tool that the City Police offers on their web site called Crime map

Preparing to go out

Determine the safest route of travel (the shortest route may not be the safest).
Inform you family of destination, phone number at destination, expected time of arrival and return.
Inform the person whom you intend to visit of your expected time of arrival.
Carry proper change for phone or emergency use.
Leave at least two lights burning in your house.
Leave outside entrance lights burning.
Lock all windows and doors, including the garage door.
Do not hide keys in mail box, above door, under mat, etc.
Carry penlight flashlight in your purse.

What to Avoid while out walking

Walking alone, if possible.
Dangling your purse.
Displaying jewelry.
Heavily overgrown areas (trees, weeds, shrubbery, etc.).
Dark doorways, hallways, and parking lots.
Alleys and little traveled side streets.
Deserted parks and wooded areas, vacant lots and buildings.
Warehouse and industrial areas.
High crime rate areas.

Do walk with authority, displaying an air of confidence and purpose of destination.
Be alert to your surroundings.

Preparing Your Car

Check gasoline supply.
Have motor tune-up and adequate battery (to avoid starting and stalling problems).
Make certain tires are in good condition (to avoid flats).
Use snow tires when needed.
Make certain the door locks and dome light work.

Approaching Your Car

Have key ready before approaching car.
Look inside car; checking front and rear seat areas for intruder.
Lock door immediately upon entering (even before placing key in ignition).

Personal Safety Precautions

	If someone asks you for directions, and if you choose to reply, remain at least two arms lengths away.
	Clogs, high heels, and tight skirts are hard to run and fight in. Capes, scarves, neckties and long necklaces are easy to grab. Modify your fashion style, or wear comfortable clothing when walking alone (change into dress clothes later), or think of how you would fight in your dress-up clothes (for example, kicking off your high heels or hiking up your skirt around your hips before starting to run or kick).
	Avoid being on the street alone if you are upset or under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
	When dropping someone off at their home, make sure they are safely inside before driving away. Have them do the same for you.

On Public Transportation

	Beware of overheard conversations. Don’t tell anyone on the bus or a subway where you are going.
	Stay awake and alert.
	Have exact change ready.
	Try to sit near the driver.
	If you sense someone is following you when you get off, walk toward a populated area. Don’t walk directly home.

In a car

	Check the inside and around your car before entering to insure that no one is hiding there.
	Check you surroundings before getting out of your car
	Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
	Keep doors locked and window rolled up so that someone can’t reach in with their hand.
	If a group of suspicious peopled approaches you when you are stopped at a red light at a deserted intersection, run the light if your intuition tells you that the situation could get dangerous.
	Don’t let the gas indicator fall below ¼ of a tank.
	Plan your route and check a map before you start out.
	Park in a well-lighted, heavily traveled areas if possible. Try not to park next to a van, as you can be pulled in through the sliding door.
	Don’t leave valuables in plain sight inside your car. · Give only the ignition key to a parking attendant.
	If you see an accident or stranded motorist, report it from the nearest telephone instead of stopping.
	Carry in your car: flashlight, flares, fix-a-flat, maps, comfortable warm clothing, first aid kit, empty gas can, white cloth to tie to antenna to signal distress, cellular phone.
	Learn basic auto maintenance.

Defense against Dogs

	When confronted by a threatening dog our impulse is often to turn and run. This is the worst response, since movement triggers the chase instinct in dogs.
	Stand very still and try to be calm. · Don’t scream at the dog and run. · Be aware of where the dog is. Look in its general direction, but don’t stare into its eyes. This is considered an aggressive challenge.
	Let the dog sniff you.
	In a low voice say, “No! Go home!” · Stay still until the dog leaves.
	Back away slowly until it’s out of sight.
	If a dog does attack, try to “feed” it your workout jacket, bike equipment, briefcase, backpack or purse to distract it while you back slowly away towards safety.
	If you are knocked down or fall, curl into a ball and keep your hands over your ears, face, and neck. Try not to scream or roll around

Safety in and around the home

The first line of defense you have against burglars and people trying to attack you in your home, is high fencing,. If they can’t get in easily, or can be seen trying to gain access to your property, then they can’t hurt you or your family. If people need to call you to open the gate, then rather have an intercom, instead of having to go outside the house to let people in without knowing who is out there. Ensure that your windows have bars, and your doors have security gates that are kept locked. People get complacent and forget to lock these all too often, so make it part of your everyday routine to lock the doors and place the keys in hard to reach cupboards. It may sound obvious but at night ensure all your windows and doors are securely locked, and that your burglar alarm is set.

If at any time you see people loitering on the streets near your house, call the police and report it, they may be looking at your neighbor’s house to get an idea of their routine, but of course, they may also be looking at yours.

At night good lighting is essential to your safety in the home. Make sure the area round the house is well lit, so that if you look out of a lighted room through the window, you can still see what is happening in your immediate area. Lots of light will also aid in scaring off potential housebreakers, as they are too visible to be guaranteed enough time in the house, should they be spotted. Motion sensor lights as well as general floodlights, or lights on a timer are all a good idea. This is especially true if you get home after dark. Leave an internal light or two on, as well as enough outside light to see your surroundings clearly. In these crime-infested times, it is vital to be linked to a good, armed response company. Know all your passwords, duress passwords and codes and teach them to your children incase they need them. Make sure your children know how the panic buttons operate, as well as what to do in case of a break in. Speaking of panic buttons, it is always a good idea to have them at each door as well as in strategic places such as the bedroom and lounge or passage. If you are outside in the garden a lot, then also get a portable panic button that you can carry or wear while away from the house.

Ensure you have a phone in the bedroom or one that you can carry to the bedroom at night. If you have an answering machine try to be as vague as possible about who lives there. If you are a woman on your own or with children then get a male friend to do a short invitation to leave a message. Messages such as ‘Hi this is Laurie, I’m at class right now, but I’ll call you back as soon as I get in at nine tonight, thank you’, aren’t actually voice mail messages, they are invitations to be a victim.

Safety in the car

The most important thing here is not to park in isolated or dark places. Do not stop at strange out of the way ATM’s to draw cash, and then have to walk to and from your car on your own. If it is dark or after hours then get someone to walk you to your car, a security guard or a friend that looks intimidating. Always approach your car with your door key in your hand and look around you constantly. Keep your hands free of cell phones, purses etc, carry them in an over the shoulder bag which leaves your hands free. As you approach your car look around and under it to ensure there is no one there, and before you unlock check the backseat to make sure no one is crouching down. As soon as you are in your car, lock your doors, and turn your car on, getting ready to move off. Do not dawdle in your parking space, as you won’t be concentrating on your surroundings. Open your window about two centimeters, as it is always harder to break a window if it is slightly open, instead of it being rigidly closed. Once you are on the road, should you come to a red traffic light then slow down dramatically as you approach, if you time it correctly you shouldn’t have to stop at all as the light will change before you get to it. However should you find yourself stopped at a light then always ensure you have enough space to maneuver around the cars in front of you and get away should anyone approach your car. Depending on the law in your state you might even be able to go through a red light after stopping to check there are no oncoming cars late at night.

Try and have your car serviced regularly and make sure it is in general good running order. If you do happen to break down, then get out of your car, open the hood, and hide in nearby bushes. A strange person is more likely to stop and ‘help’ you, than he is to be lurking in the shrubbery, hoping for a lucky break. Keep a blanket and a torch in your car for just this emergency, and carry a cell phone, always! Are you capable of changing a tyre quickly? If not then have a few practice runs at home, so that you can fix it yourself should it go flat. Local community centers often run beginner mechanical courses, and it is a good idea to attend one of these so that you can fix it if something small goes wrong on your car.

Safety in general

If you are leaving your office late, then arrange to move your car as close to the exit as possible when all the other employees leave to go home. Have security walk you to your car: it is not a sign of weakness, it is sensible. If you can, attend a few self-defense classes: you will get fit, and may be able to use what you learn to defend yourself at some stage. Walk tall, and look confident at all times... if you look like a victim, you may become one.

Listed below are a few personal safety tips.

	Don't walk or jog alone. Walk in well-lighted and populated areas.
	Stay alert and attuned to things around you, especially suspicious persons or activities.
	Participate in personal protection. Mark your valuables. "PIN"
	Lock your car and room doors to prevent theft.
	Keep your valuables, purse or wallet out of plain view from the windows, doorways, and cars.
	Have your keys ready and enter your room or car as quickly as possible.
	Be confident. Walk and carry yourself with confidence.
	Know your limitations; Safety, Alcohol, Property, and New friends.
	Get acquainted with your suite mates and others on your floor. Know who belongs and who doesn't.
	If you're going somewhere alone or with a new friend, let someone know where you are going.
	Use the emergency telephones (blue light phones) throughout campus to report suspicious activity or if you feel threatened or uncomfortable.

WHAT IS SUSPICIOUS?

"Am I witnessing a crime?" Most of us have found ourselves wondering this at some time or other. However, because we are not really sure, we tend to ignore what we have just seen and, hoping it wasn't so, we continue about our business.

"PEOPLE AREN'T SUSPICIOUS, BEHAVIOR IS!"

Signs and behavior to look for that may be suspicious:

	A person running.
	A stranger carrying property.
	A person going door-to-door in an building or a residential area.
	Any person forcibly entering a locked vehicle, dorm room or even a classroom.
	Business transactions being conducted from a vehicle.
	One or more persons sitting in a parked car exhibiting suspicious behavior.
	A juvenile or female being forced into a vehicle.
	A person exhibiting unusual mental or physical symptoms.
	Unusual noises

When Walking Alone

1. Walk only on busy, well-lighted streets, even if it makes the trip a little longer.

2. Avoid short cuts such as parking lots, alleys, or parks.

3. Don't accept rides with strangers or distant acquaintances.

4. If someone in a vehicle asks for directions, keep back far enough where you can't be grabbed.

5. If you feel you are being followed, cross the street or go the other way. Walk toward lights and people.

6. If you are being followed by a vehicle, turn and run in the opposite direction. The driver will have to turn around before he can continue following you.

7. When returning home, have your key out and ready to unlock the door.

When Driving Alone

1. Keep a cell phone handy in case your vehicle breaks down. Know who to call.

2. Keep vehicle doors locked at all times.

3. Lower windows only slightly, so no one can reach inside.

4. Maintain a relatively full tank of gas.

5. Choose a well-lighted, well-traveled route even if it's a little out of the way.

6. Do not pick up hitchhikers.

7. Don't stop to help strangers - get to a phone and call help for them.

8. If someone follows you, don't go home. Drive to an open business and call the police - if possible, record the license plate number of the other vehicle.

If Your Vehicle Breaks Down

1. If you are safely off the roadway, raise the hood. Depending on the situation, it may be a good idea to get back into the vehicle and lock the doors. If you are standing outside your vehicle, you may be in danger from passing vehicles not seeing you.

2. If someone stops to help, be cautious! You may ask them to call for help.

3. It would be very helpful to keep an emergency number of someone you can call if your vehicle breaks down. (wrecker service, mechanic, roadside assistance, etc.)

Parking Your Vehicle

1. Park in a well-lighted area.

2. If parking during the day and returning at night, check for street and building lights.

3. Always lock the vehicle doors.

4. When parking in a pay lot, leave only the ignition key in the car. Do not give anyone a chance to duplicate your house keys.

5. Put valuables in the trunk.

6. Be cautious when parking next to a van.

Returning To a Parked Vehicle

1. Have your key in your hand, ready to unlock your vehicle.

2. Look around the area to see if someone is loitering around your car.

3. Check the front and back seat areas of the car to see if someone is hiding.

4. If possible, walk with someone to your vehicle.

5. Be cautious of any van parked next to your car.

If Attacked

Remain as calm as possible. This will not be easy if you're attacked, but it's your first step towards an escape. Remember, your own initiative and imagination is your best defense.

Two types of resistance can be used against an attacker: (1) Passive (2) Active

PASSIVE RESISTANCE involves using your imagination to delay the attack while continually looking for a chance to escape or attempting to talk the attacker out of assaulting you.

You Can:

· Try to remain calm and show as little fear as possible.

· Talk to the attacker if time permits. In some cases this will help calm both him and you down. Refrain from talking to the attacker if it aggravates him.

· Treat the attacker as a person and try to gain his confidence. This may cause him to let his guard down and allow you to escape.

· Continually look for an opportunity to escape.

· Choose tactics that will leave you able to try other things if a particular approach doesn't work.

· If your first attempt to dissuade the attacker fails, try something else - different approaches work on different people.

ACTIVE RESISTANCE involves using physical force to repel the attacker.

You Can:

· Scream - if someone is near enough to hear you and provide help.

· If you're grabbed from behind, throw your head back hard against the attacker's face or throat.

· Crush down on top of his instep of this foot with your heel.

· Press your thumbs very hard into his eyes.

· Run towards people and lighted areas.

REMEMBER:

No method is foolproof. No single method is the best one in every situation. All situations are different. Every attacker is different. Passive resistance may not change the attacker's mind or offer a chance to escape. Active resistance may excite or cause him to use more force that he would have otherwise used.

Your Best Weapon is Your Own Brain

Use Your Common Sense, Imagination, and Good Judgment

While Driving

	Don’t pick up hitchhikers (anytime, day or night).
	Use the vehicle’s rear view mirrors; know who is behind you.
	If you think that someone is following you, don’t go straight home. Go to a place where there are other people, use a cell phone to call police, draw attention to yourself.
	If you are in trouble or there is an emergency, don’t call your Mother….call 911.
	Park your car in well-lit areas and be sure to lock it.
	Avoid isolated places when parking a vehicle.
	If you leave work after dark, use the buddy system & walk out with someone. If there are security personnel, ask for an escort.
	If you are leaving work to make a bank deposit, try not to do it alone. If the bank deposit area is dark and/or has a lot of landscaping that provides concealment, make a complaint to get it fixed. DON’T TAKE CHANCES.
	If another motorist needs help, tell them you will call for aid, but don’t exit your car, and don’t offer them a ride. Sometimes females are use to gain your sympathy.
	If your car breaks down, raise the hood, tie a piece of cloth to the antenna, or put your flashers on. Stay in your car with the doors locked. Cell phones are cheap security.
	Make sure that your vehicle is mechanically sound to avoid breakdowns.
	Don’t drive for any distances when your gas gauge shows “empty.”
	Have your vehicle door key ready when you are walking to your vehicle. This way you aren’t distracted & fumbling for keys in the parking lot.
	Visually scan your vehicle as you approach it to see if there is anyone nearby. Be sure that the dome light works when you open your door. Scan the back seat area (or camper shell)
	When leaving your vehicle for service (or to be driven by anyone else such as a valet), leave only the vehicle key(s) on the ring. Take your house key & garage door opener with you.
	When driving, keep the doors locked (even for short trips).
	When possible, travel on well-lit roads. Plan ahead to avoid getting lost.
	Be prepared to use alternate routes in case of unexpected detours. Be flexible.
	If you feel that someone has hit your vehicle intentionally in a remote area, don’t get out of your vehicle, but rather motion for the other driver to follow you to a populated area.
	If someone is driving erratically, just let them pass & don’t exchange gestures. This just aggravates the situation & you become a participant. If the aggressor follows you and/or continues to be out of control, go to the nearest populated area & call police. Use a cell phone if you have one. It is very important to provide a good description, especially the license number of the vehicle they are driving.

When Walking, Jogging, or Out and About

	Avoid going alone.
	Vary your routes; don’t be predictable.
	Carry a whistle or noise-maker.
	Avoid going out at night (especially alone).
	Don’t go out alone if intoxicated or depressed.
	Be aware of your surroundings, & if you feel uncomfortable, get out of the situation.
	If you believe in the “fight or flight Syndrome,” flight is usually the best.
	If a car approaches you when you are out & about, & this makes you feel uncomfortable, then just turn around & go in the opposite direction.
	When out & about, stay away from shrubs and/or doorways; stay close to the curb.
	Walk with a purpose; do it with confidence.
	Dress comfortably with freedom of movement.
	Avoid isolated and/or dark places.
	If carrying a purse or brief case, keep it close to your body. Don’t dangle it at your side.
	Try to keep your hands free.
	Take along a cell phone. 911 calls are free on pay phones.
	Lock your doors whether you are leaving your house or your vehicle. Carry a key.
	Keep in mind that while wearing headphones, you lose awareness of your surroundings.

Last updated: Monday, March 09, 2009