Officer Fontes is available to conduct a crime prevention survey of your home or business. The survey takes about thirty minutes, and a written analysis will be given to you at no cost. If interested call (781)784-1587 to make an appointment.
INTERNET TIPS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
Allowing kids to go online without supervision or ground rules is like allowing them to explore a major city by themselves. The Internet, like a city, offers an enormous array of entertainment and educational resources, but also presents some risks. Kids need help navigating this world.
As parents, we want our children to be safe and responsible while using technology. We will have succeeded when each child can recognize and minimize the three main risks associated with all forms of technology that connect to the Internet (i.e., computers, iPods, cell phones, game consoles). The three main risks are:
-Inappropriate Contact- Teach kids how to recognize and protect themselves against contact with cyber-bullies, hackers, phishers, and predators. People aren’t always who they say they are. Teach kids to stay away from Internet strangers: the Internet is a place to enhance existing relationships, not a place to meet new people.
-Inappropriate Content- This includes both content that is viewed and content that is uploaded by kids. Help kids understand that the Internet is forever and after they post it, they can’t take it back. Everything they post online is tracked and stored and will follow them to future job interviews and college entrance interviews.
-Inappropriate Conduct- Because a web environment can feel anonymous, some youth become uninhibited. Teach kids that the Internet is a public forum: anonymity is a myth. Help them be the good person online that they are offline.
The information listed above is from an organization called the Internet Keep Safe Coalition. When it comes to Internet safety and keeping your children safe online I have found to much information to condense into a brief article. What I have listed below are several excellent Internet sites for you to review. The information on those sites should answer any questions you may have. The sites cover Internet issues for elementary school aged children through adults.
USE YOUR ATM SAFELY
The most important key to using your ATM safely is to be observant. Be aware of suspicious persons near or around the ATM machine. If you see anything that looks out of the ordinary go to another machine or return later and notify local police. Some other common sense tips on using your ATM safely are as follows:
- It is a good idea to have your ATM card in your hand and ready to use as you approach the ATM so that you do not have to take extra time at the machine.
- Use your body to shield the ATM keyboard when you enter your pin number. Do not give someone the opportunity to see you entering your pin.
- Put away your cash immediately. Do not display or count it at the machine.
- Remember to take your receipt and ATM card when the transaction is complete.
- If you use a drive-up ATM, make sure your passenger side window is rolled up and the door is locked. This will help to prevent a thief from entering your vehicle while you’re getting money.
Using an ATM at night presents other problems. If possible, take another person with you. Park in a well lighted area close to the ATM. Do not use the machine if the lights are not working. If overgrown shrubbery is blocking the view of the inside of the ATM, use another one. Notify the bank if there are visibility problems.
Driver’s License Renewals
Before you blow out the candles on next birthday cake, be sure to check the expiration date on your driver’s license. Your Massachusetts license expires every five years on your birthday.
The Massachusetts Registry of Motor Vehicles no longer mails out renewal notices.
If you are stopped by police for any infraction and you have an expired license, it is a criminal offense. You could be arrested and your vehicle towed. So double check that expiration date. Also, remind family and friends to do the same.
The Registry advises you to renew at least seven days before your birthday to ensure that you receive your new license before your current license expires.
Licenses can be renewed at any Registry office. Some residents may renew online at www.mass.gov/rmv. Visit the Web site to see if you are eligible.
REMINDER’S FOR A SAFE HALLOWEEN
All of us at the Sharon Police Department want everyone to have a safe and fun Halloween. Using these safety tip reminders will help make Halloween enjoyable for children and adults.
Young children should trick-or-treat with adults or responsible teenagers. After dark children should carry a flashlight, glow stick, or have reflective tape on their costumes to make them more visible to cars. Make sure costumes fit properly so kids see and hear correctly.
Remind children to use sidewalks where available, look both before crossing streets, and don’t run into the street from between parked cars. Children should stay in populated neighborhoods that are well lit, don’t take shortcuts through trails or alleys, and only go to houses with lights on.
Instruct your children to never enter a stranger’s house or vehicle. Tell them not to eat any candy or other treats until they bring it home to be examined. Parents should know the routes their children are traveling.
The Sharon Police will have extra patrols during Halloween night. Acts of vandalism or other disorderly conduct will not be tolerated. Remember to carry a cellular phone with you while trick-or-treating. If you observe any criminal or suspicious activity, immediately call the police, 911 for emergencies or 781-784-1587 for non-emergencies
BURGLARY PREVENTION ADVICE
Over the past several months the Town of Sharon and surrounding communities have seen numerous house and vehicle burglaries. In this article I will give you some basic reminders to help protect your property from thieves.
When it comes to home security, start with the basics. Lock your doors and windows whenever you leave your house. We have had burglaries when victims left their home for just 30 minutes. If you have an alarm system, use it. Do not leave valuables (laptops, money, jewelry, small electronics, etc.) visible from outside windows. These items could give a potential burglar more incentive to break into your home. If a burglar enters your home, he will go to your bedroom looking for jewelry and other items of value. They will look for jewelry boxes on top of your dresser and in the drawers. Consider keeping valuables hidden in a closet or locked in a safe. If you find your home has been burglarized, leave and call police immediately from a safe location. When you are home you can help by
reporting any suspicious people or vehicles that are in your neighborhood.
In addition to homes, many residents have been victims of motor vehicle burglaries. As above, LOCK YOUR CAR DOORS. Many victims have had items stolen from their unlocked vehicle while it was parked in their driveway. Most of these crimes occur late at night. Try leaving an outside light on or use a sensor light to illuminate your driveway. Do not leave anything of value in your car, thieves will take everything they can carry including: wallets, tools, electronics, etc. Thieves also look for items to steal from vehicles in parking lots (malls, train station, apartment buildings, etc.). If desired items like GPS units, laptops, pocketbooks, cell phones, etc. are visible, a thief may break into your car to steal them. Remove those items from your vehicle or lock them in your trunk.
With both home and vehicle burglaries, try not to touch anything or walk around the area. Officers will search the scene for evidence including fingerprints and footprints. It is recommended that residence keep an inventory log of their valuables. This will assist officers in their investigation. Document serial numbers of all electronics in your home. Photograph jewelry and other items of value so they can be easily identified. Hopefully these reminders will help keep your property safe. If you have further questions about crime prevention you can contact Officer Steve Fontes, Crime Prevention Officer, at 781-784-1587.
BICYCLE SAFETY
As the weather gets warmer you will notice a greater number of bicycles on Sharon roads. It is important to remember that the rules of the road apply to both bicyclists and motorists. These rules are the same for adults and children.
Massachusetts law regulates how bicycles are operated in the Commonwealth.
Bicyclists must stop at red lights and stop signs. When entering a roadway or turning left you must yield to oncoming traffic. Ride on the right side of the street in the same direction as the flow of traffic and move to the right when being overtaken by a motor vehicle. The law also requires riding with at least one hand on the handlebars, using hand signals when turning, and ride single file unless passing. A fine of $20 could be issued for violating a bicycle law.
Approved helmets are required by law for children 16 and under. An approved helmet should display a CPSC, ANSI, ASTM, or Snell sticker. A properly fitted helmet sits just above the eyebrows. The helmet law applies to bicycles, in-line skates, skateboards, and non-motorized scooters. We strongly recommend everyone wear a helmet for protection against head injuries. The law allows for children between ages 1 and 4 to be carried in an attached baby seat or towed in a trailer. No child under 1 year old may be carried on a bicycle.
Before you or your children head out for a ride it is important to check the bicycles equipment. Make sure the brakes, seat, and handlebars are properly adjusted. Reflectors should be attached to the front, rear and peddles of the bicycle if riding at night. The law also requires a white light shining to the front and a red light displayed on the rear when riding after dark.
I hope this article reminds bicyclists and motorists to operate in a safe manner and follow the rules of the road. Stay safe!
TIPS FOR PARENTS AND GUARDIANS
FOR GOING TO AND FROM SCHOOL SAFELY
Starting soon millions of children around the country will take to the streets to get to and from school. For many children this experience will be a new one, and they may not know some basic safety rules. Young children do not have the same frame of reference for safety as adults do. They may not “look before they leap”, which is why it is so important for families to practice safety skills with their children. The tips below will help prepare them for a safer journey.
- Instruct your children to always take a friend with them and walk and never take shortcuts or go into isolated areas. When walking and biking teach them to stay aware of their surroundings and observe all traffic rules to safely share the roads and sidewalks with others.
- Walk the route to and from school with your children. Point out landmarks and safe places to go if they’re being followed or need help. Make a map with your children showing acceptable routes to and from school. If your children wait for a bus, wait with them or make arrangements for supervision at the bus stop.
- If anyone bothers your children while going to or from school, teach them to immediately get away from that person and tell you or another trusted adult. Instruct your children to never accept money or gifts from anyone unless you have told them it is okay.
- Ensure current and accurate emergency contact information is on file for your children at their school. If you, or another trusted family member or friend, need to pick your children up, make sure to follow your school’s departure procedures.
- Teach your children if anyone tries to take them somewhere they should quickly get away and yell, “This person is not my father/mother/etc.” If anyone tries to grab them, teach them to make a scene and every effort to get away by kicking, screaming, and resisting.
- Teach your children if anyone follows them on foot, to get away from that person as quickly as possible. If anyone follows them in a vehicle they should turn around, go in the other direction, and try to get to a spot where a trusted adult can help them. Advise them to tell you or another trusted adult what happened.
- Instruct your children to never leave school with anyone they don’t know. If anyone tells them there is an emergency and they want your children to go with them, teach your children to always check first with you first. Remind your children to check first with you if the want to change their plans before or after school. Instruct your children to tell you or another trusted adult if they notice anyone they don’t know or feel comfortable hanging around them.
- Remember to practice these safety rules with your children to make certain they understand them. Make the walk to and from school a “teachable moment” and a chance to put their skills to test. Teach your children to trust their feelings.
Underage drinking although not on the rise, poses a threat in every town. Often the police are called to a house were the parent have gone away leaving their children at home. Usually the kids invite over one or two friends and next thing you know the whole school is at their house. There may be no alcohol in the house but the uninvited guests bring it over, and then the problems begin.
Parents need to take precautions. It isn’t enough to say that you’ll never leave your kids home alone, or that your kids would never have a party without your permission. Parents need to know where their kids are going to be especially on weekend nights. If your teenager tells you he/she is going to a party, check to see if the parents are going to be home, and make sure that there will be no alcohol present. If you are going out for the night and leaving your teenagers at home, call once or twice to make sure all is well.
The majority of the house party calls the police are sent to are homes where the teens are left unsupervised for an evening or an entire weekend. The consequences can be felt by all. The homeowners can be held responsible if alcohol was served to minors. Any person under the age of twenty-one caught drinking alcohol will face severe fines, and criminal prosecution. In the past the police have been called to house parties where medical treatment was needed. Every year teens in Sharon are transported by ambulance to the hospital due to the large quantity of alcohol they consumed.
Talk to your kids, start the New Year off right. Emphasize the dangers of drinking and driving. Remind your kids about the consequences they face if caught with alcohol. Find out whom your children are going out with, where they are going, how they are getting there, and when they are coming home.
Parental supervision combined with police action isn’t always enough to stop under-age drinking, but it’s certainly a start.
If you're locked out of your home, can you still get in? Through an unlocked window in the back, or using an extra key hidden under a flowerpot or up on a ledge? If you can break in, so can a burglar.
A small investment of time and money can make your home more secure and can reduce your chances of being a victim of burglary, assault, or vandalism.
Get to know your neighbors. Watchful neighbors who look out for you, as well as themselves are a front line defense against crime.
CHECK THE LOCKS
In almost half of all residential burglaries, thieves walk in through an unlocked door or crawl through an unlocked window.
Make sure every external door has a deadbolt lock
Secure sliding glass doors with commercially available locks or with a broomstick or wooden dowel in the track to jam the door if someone tries to pry it open. Insert a pin in a hole drilled in the sliding door frame that goes through to the fixed frame to prevent anyone from lifting the door off its track
Secure double-hung windows by sliding a bolt or nail through a hole drilled at a downward angle in each top corner of the inside sash and part way through the outside sash. Secure basement windows as well
Don't hide keys in mailboxes, planters, or under doormats. Give an extra key to a neighbor you trust
If you've just moved into a new house or apartment, rekey the locks
CHECK THE DOORS
Locks aren't as effective if they're on flimsy doors
Make sure all exterior doors are solid wood or metal
Doors should fit tightly in their frames, with hinge pins on the inside
Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors, so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Door chains are not a security device - they break easily and won't keep out an intruder
CHECK THE OUTSIDE
To discourage burglars from selecting your home as their target of opportunity, make sure to:
Prune back shrubbery that hides doors or windows. Cut back tree limbs that could help a thief climb into windows
Light porches, entrances, and yards - front and back. Consider timers that turn on outside lights or install motion detectors
Keep your yard well-maintained. Store ladders and tools inside your locked garage, basement, or storage shed when you're not using them
Clearly display your house number so police and other emergency vehicles can find your home quickly
Help the neighborhood stay in good shape. Dark alleys, broken street lights, abandoned cars, vacant buildings, graffiti, litter, and run-down areas attract crime. Work with the local government and neighbors to organize community clean-up days
Put lights and a radio on timers to create the illusion that someone is at home when you go away. Leave shades, blinds, and curtains in normal positions. Stop the mail and newspapers, or ask a neighbor to take them in
Update your home inventory, listing things like VCRs, stereos, cameras, sports equipment, and computers. Take photos or make videos of items, list descriptions and serial numbers. Engrave valuables. If your home is burglarized, this can help identify stolen items and make insurance claims easier to file
WHAT ABOUT ALARMS
If you have valuables in your home, or live in an isolated area or a neighborhood vulnerable to break-ins, consider an alarm system. Before you invest in alarms:
Check with several companies and decide what level of security fits your needs. Sources of information include your local police department, the public library, and the Better Business Bureau
Learn how to use your system properly. If you continually set off false alarms, your neighbors will ignore the noise
BURGLARS CAN TAKE MORE THAN YOUR PROPERTY
Burglars generally don't want to run into their victims. But if they're surprised by someone coming home or pick a home that's occupied, someone may get hurt.
If you see a screen slit, a window broken, or a door ajar, don't go in. Call the police from a neighbor's house or a public phone
If you hear a noise in the night that sounds like someone breaking in or moving around, call the police and wait for them to come. If you can leave safely, do so. Otherwise lock yourself in a room.
Think carefully before buying a firearm for protection. Guns can be stolen and sold to anyone, or captured and used on you or the police. If you do own a gun, lock it up and learn how to use it safely
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