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Crime Prevention

 

Crime Alerts

Remember, when shopping, be sure to lock your car and place unattended articles or gifts left in your vehicle out of sight as you shop. FBI Crime Alerts

Scams
Statistics show that criminals for a wide variety of reasons more frequently target citizens over the age of fifty. Most citizens in this age bracket are more trusting and are often persuaded by reference to authority or official looking documents. The Shrewsbury Police Department encourages all of our residents to contact the police department prior to making any monetary commitment to unknown persons or organizations. Simply contact the police department and we will gladly work with you to verify the legitimacy of the person or organization that has contacted you. Finally, I wish to remind our citizens of one golden rule, “If it sounds too good to be true, it should be avoided.” Scam Links & Information Scams, Fraud & Traveling Criminal Organizations Nigerian Criminal Organizations Fire Department Solicitor Scam FBI FRAUD ALERT In light of the increasing number of fraudulent scams being circulated throughout the world on a daily basis via the internet or mail the FBI has put together this excellent check list. If you can answer “YES” to any of the following questions, you could be involved in a FRAUD or about to be SCAMMED! Is the CHECK from an item you sold on the internet, such as a car, boat, jewelry, etc? Is the amount of the CHECK more than the item’s selling price? Did you receive the CHECK via an overnight delivery service? Is the CHECK connected to communicating with someone by email? Is the CHECK drawn on a business or individual account that is different from the person buying your item or product? Have you been informed that you were the winner of a LOTTERY, such as Canadian, Australian, El Gordo, or El Mundo, that you did not enter? Have you been instructed to either “WIRE”,“SEND” OR “SHIP” MONEY, as soon as possible, to a large U.S. city or to another country, such as Canada, England, or Nigeria? Have you been asked to PAY money to receive a deposit from another country such as Canada, England, or Nigeria? Are you receiving PAY or a COMMISSION for facilitating money transfers through your account? Did you respond to an email requesting you to CONFIRM, UPDATE, OR PROVIDE your account information? Police Warn Residents Concerning Spanish Sweepstake Lottery Mailing Local police are warning residents to be alert to a new apparent scam operating in the area. Several Shrewsbury residents have received letters from the EL Gordo Spanish Sweepstake Lottery Company from Madrid Spain. The letter informs the recipient that there was a mix up in the May 23rd, 2004 sweepstake numbers and that the numbers released on June 7, 2004 have made the recipient a winner. Attached to the "Award Final Notification" letter is a claim form, which asks for the personal information of award recipient including name, date of birth, next of kin, occupation, bank account number, bank routing number and bank name and address. Shrewsbury Police indicated that they have not been able to speak to anyone in Spain, but random letters like these are indicative of fraud. I find it difficult to believe that we have had several residents of Shrewsbury win the El-Gordo Spanish Sweepstakes all in the same week!! Det./Lt. James Hurley indicated that the public should not respond any type of unsolicited correspondence asking for personal or financial information. Det./Lt. James Hurley indicated that as the material was sent to recipients through the mail he would be forwarding the information to the United States Postal Inspection Service.
School Safety
D.A.R.E – The DARE program is being taught at St. Mary’s School by Officer Patricia Babin. Dare America
Home
Neighborhood Crime Watch is a resident based program where citizens, in cooperation with the police department, directly participate in the detection and prevention of crime. In Shrewsbury, there are approximately 1.2 police officers for every thousand citizens. From a practical standpoint, police officers are not able to patrol every neighborhood street corner and are responsible for other tasks such as investigative work, administrative duties, traffic enforcement, report writing, court appearances, etc. There are many more citizens than there are police officers. Neighborhood Crime Watch greatly reduces the ratio gap, by extending the police department’s eyes and ears. With the increased awareness in the neighborhood and the level of deterrence achieved by citizen participation, Neighborhood Crime Watch can help the police department reduce and prevent crime in Shrewsbury. Watch you car program The decal component of the Watch Your Car Program allows motor vehicle owners to display a front and back Watch Your Car decal to their vehicle signifying to police, that their vehicles are not customarily driven between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. A vehicle owner who chooses to participate in the Watch Your Car decal program voluntarily consents to having his or her automobile stopped, during the program hours, for the purpose of determining ownership and identity of the automobile and driver. Through the Watch Your Car Program, police in any jurisdiction are authorized to stop a vehicle with the Watch Your Car decal and check the identity of the driver if the vehicle is being operated between the hours of 1:00 a.m. and 5:00 a.m. Night Decals A second type of decal is offered for vehicles not operated near international borders or ports. The Watch Your Car Program allows owners of motor vehicles to display an additional decal on the front windshield of their vehicles to alert police that their vehicles are not normally driven across or in the proximity of international land borders or ports. Similarly, law enforcement in any jurisdiction has authorization to stop vehicles, in these areas, displaying the Watch Your Car International Program decal, to check the identity of the driver. International Decal The Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) Etching component of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Watch Your Car Program allows owners of motor vehicles to voluntarily have the windows on their vehicle etched with the VIN. Motor vehicles treated with this process are less likely to be stolen because they are less attractive to thieves who would have to replace all of the stolen vehicle's glass in addition to the VIN numbers. The etching is done by the police department. The process itself takes only a few minutes. Massachusetts offers a 15% discount on comprehensive insurance for vehicles with window etching. VIN Etching
Senior Citizens
Crime prevention is everyone’s responsibility. Not just a job for law enforcement seniors can learn how to protect themselves from crime by following these simple commonsense suggestions. Share these tips with your neighbors and friends, too, and make it tough for criminals to work in your neighborhood. At home... Always keep your doors and windows locked. Install dead bolt locks on all your doors. Keep your home well lit at night, inside and out, and keep your curtains closed at night. Install a peephole in your front door so you can see callers without opening the door. Ask for proper identification from delivery men or strangers. Don't be afraid of asking if they are legitimate they wont mind. If a stranger asks to use your telephone, offer to place the call for him/her yourself. Never let a stranger into your home. Do not leave notes on your door when you are gone. and do not hide your keys under the mat or in other conspicuous places. Never give out information over the phone indicating you are alone or that you won't be home at a certain time. When you are gone for more than a day. make sure your home looks and sounds occupied - use an automatic timer to turn on lights and a radio or TV. While you're out... Carry your purse very close to you - don’t dangle it from your arm. Also, never leave your purse in a shopping cart. Don’t carry any more cash than is necessary. Many grocery stores now accept checks and automatic teller cards instead of cash. Avoid walking alone at night. Try to have a friend accompany you in high risk areas even during the daytime. Do not carry weapons - they may only be used against you. Have your paychecks or government checks sent directly to your bank account many banks have senior citizens discounts. Never withdraw money from your hank accounts for anyone except YOURSELF. Be wary of con artists and get-rich schemes that probably are too good to be true. In your car... Keep your gas tank full and your engine properly maintained to avoid breakdowns. Always lock your car doors. Even when you’re inside and keep your windows rolled up. Driving with the windows closed also improves gas mileage. Lock packages and other valuables in the trunk. Do not leave them on the back seat or on the floor of the car where potential thieves can see them. When you return to your car. always check the front and back seat before you get in. Never pick up hitchhikers. If your car breaks down. Pull over to the right as far as possible. Raise the hood, and wait inside the car for help. Do not get out of the car or unroll the window until the police arrive. If you are a victim at home… If you arrive at home and suspect a stranger may be inside, DON'T GO IN. Leave quietly and call 911 to report the crime. If you are attacked on the street, make as much noise as possible by calling for help or blowing a whistle. Do not pursue your attacker. Call 911 and report the crime as soon as possible. If you have been swindled or conned, report the crime to your local police or District Attorney's Office. Con artists count on their victim's reluctance to admit they’ve been duped, but if you delay, you help them get away. Remember, if you never report the crime, they are free to cheat others again and again and you have no chance of ever getting your money back. Resources for Massachusetts Elders
Water
The police department conducts marine patrols of Lake Quinsigamond during the boating season. Officers concentrate their efforts on boating safety, safety equipment inspections, and boating and environmental law enforcement.
Child
How To Safeguard Your Children Teach them to never talk to strangers. Teach them never to ride their bikes alone; always ride with a buddy and always wear their helmet. Teach them to never play in the street. Teach them to always look both ways and watch for cars before entering or crossing the street. Establish neighborhood boundaries in which they may play. Teach them to never open the door to a stranger when home alone. Teach them that, when answering the telephone, never give out any personal information or let the person who calls know if they are alone. Teach them to be sure to let their parents know exactly where they will be and for how long, and to always call and let them know if they decide to go somewhere else. If they should see a gun, teach them to stop, don't touch, call an adult. Teach them to never get into a car with someone they don't know. If they feel threatened, teach them to run away as fast as they can. Develop a secret password that must be used if someone unfamiliar is to pick them up from school or play. If they come home and something about their house doesn't look right, teach them to go immediately to a neighbor's for help. 8 Rules for Safety Before I go anywhere, I always check first with my parents, or the person in charge. I tell them where I am going, how I will get there, who will be going with me, and when I'll be back. I check first for permission from my parents before getting into a car or leaving with anyone, even someone I know. I check first before changing plans or accepting money, gifts or drugs without my parent's knowledge. It is safer for me to be with other people when going places or playing outside. I always use the "buddy system." I say NO if someone tries to touch me in ways that make me feel frightened, uncomfortable, or confused. Then I go tell a grown-up I trust what happened. I know it is not my fault if someone touches me in a way that is not OK. I don't have to keep secrets about those touches. I trust my feelings and talk to grown-ups about problems that are too big for me to handle on my own. A lot of people care about me and will listen and believe me. I am not alone. It is never too late to ask for help. I can keep asking until I get the help I need. I am a special person, and I deserve to feel safe. My rules are: CHECK FIRST. USE THE "BUDDY SYSTEM." SAY NO, THEN GO AND TELL. LISTEN TO MY FEELINGS, AND TALK WITH GROWN-UPS I TRUST ABOUT MY PROBLEMS AND CONCERNS. Fingerprinting Services The police department will fingerprint you child at your request. Working in conjunction with the Bish Foundation the police department participates in numberous child ID package initiatives throughout the community. Missing & Exploited Children http://www.missingkids.com/
Workplace
Increasing individual awareness is the single most important factor in the prevention and reduction of workplace violence. There are steps that business owners, managers, and employees can take to guard against an episode of violence striking the workplace.
Domestic
Domestic Abuse, defined, is a pattern of behaviors involving physical, sexual, economic and emotional abuse, alone or in combination, by an intimate partner often for the purpose of establishing or maintaining power and control over the other partner. While domestic violence occurs in all types of relationships it is overwhelmingly a problem of violence perpetrated by men against women. A person may be a victim of domestic abuse if someone is: attempting to cause or causing physical harm placing another in fear of imminent serious physical harm causing another to engage involuntarily in sexual relations by force, threat or duress
ADVISE Program
If you are in danger call the Shrewsbury Police at 911 New Hope: 1-800-323-4673 Daybreak: 755-9030 WAVES: 770-8555 Elder Abuse: 1-800-922-2275 Child Abuse: 1-800-792-5200 Rape Crisis: 1-800-870-5905 PAVE: 797-6100 details...
Miscellaneous
ATM Awareness Be careful when using an ATM, especially when getting cash. Follow these precautions: Always watch for suspicious persons or activity around an ATM. If you notice anything strange, leave and return some other time. Even if you have already started a transaction, cancel it and leave. After dark: Take a companion along Park close to the ATM in a well lighted area; lock your car If the lights around the ATM aren't working, don't use it. Use your body as a shield while you enter your access code, so no one can see you type it. Take all of your transaction receipts with you; don't throw them away near the ATM. If you get cash - put it away right away; don't stand at the ATM and count it. Never accept offers of assistance with the ATM from strangers; ask the bank for help. If you use a drive-up ATM, your vehicle's other doors should be locked w/windows up. Memorize your access code; don't write it down and/or carry it with you. Don't use an access code that's the same as other word's or numbers in your wallet. Never tell your access code to ANYONE !! (including bank employees, the police, etc.) Never lend your ATM card to anyone; treat it like cash or a credit card. If you lose your ATM card, notify your bank or credit union immediately. Terrorism Report suspicious activities to the police department. Statewide Anti-Terrorism Unified Response Network U.S. Department of Homeland Security

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