Month: December 2010

Not Sure If That’s a Real Police Officer Pulling You Over?

Sgt. Mark Buschena Leave a comment

From time to time, law enforcement will receive a report of someone who is apparently impersonating a police officer. Remember, not everyone who shows a badge is necessarily a cop. Although sale of authentic badges is supposed to be restricted to legitimate law enforcement personnel, badges are easily obtained through catalogs, collectors or even toy stores.

Nor can you assume that because a vehicle has a red light flashing on the dash, that that is a true police vehicle. Red lights of the type used by law enforcement can also be obtained through several sources.

Many cities have had serious incidents, when someone was pulled over by a police impersonator. To protect yourself, if someone is trying to pull you over and he isn't driving a marked police vehicle, trust your instincts and follow these safety suggestions:

 

  • If you're not sure if the person stopping you is a police officer, stay in your vehicle. Keep the doors locked. Roll down your window a crack, and ask to see the person's identification card. Most police departments issue identification cards to their officers that have the officer's picture on it.
  • If it is night and its dark out, ask the officer to follow you to a well lighted area. Police want to make you feel secure when they stop you, and shouldn't have a problem following you somewhere with better lighting.
  • If you're still not convinced the officer is real, ask him to have a uniformed police officer in a marked squad car come to your location. Police departments don't usually have plain clothes officers in unmarked cars making routine traffic stops. If they would have to stop you, a marked squad car is usually close behind.
  • At any point call 911 from your cell phone to verify this is really a police officer stopping you.

 

Sgt. Mark Buschena is a veteran police officer with 32 years experience. He is the author of "The Naked Truth About Personal Protection!" How to protect your life, family and property. Simple ways to protect yourself from thieves, muggers, rapists, robbers, burglars, con-artists, pick-pockets and other scum-of-the-earth! For more information, hurry on over to https://www.defendyourselfnow.com

How to Prevent Theft From Your Gym Locker While Working Out

Sgt. Mark Buschena Leave a comment

One of your resolutions may be to start working out, doing some exercise and getting in shape. And for many people this means going to a gym or other workout facility. But when you pack your exercise gear, think about what you won't need while working out.

Leaving valuables in an unlocked locker at a gym, rehab center or school is risky business. It's the same thing as leaving valuables in an unlocked vehicle or unlocked garage-sooner or later they will be stolen.

To prevent thefts of your valuables while working out:

 

  1. GET YOUR OWN LOCK-Every workout facility I contacted said they not only allow you to use your own lock, they encourage it. What kind of lock you use is up to you. With a combination lock there is no key to lose. With a key lock there is no combination to forget.
  2. USE A LOCK PROVIDED BY THE FACILITY-This is better than no lock, but not as good as having your own. When you use a facility lock, there is a chance someone else may know the combination or have a key.
  3. LOCK UP ALL YOUR POSSESSIONS-Your jacket or shoes are just as apt to be stolen as your wallet.
  4. CHECK YOUR VALUABLES IN AT THE DESK-Not all facilities provide this service. And for the ones that do, there is really no guarantee that your valuables will be safe, although they will probably be safer than in an unlocked locker.
  5. LEAVE YOUR VALUABLES AT HOME-Take only what you will absolutely need at the gym and leave the rest at home. If you don't need your wallet, watch, cash or credit cards to work out, don't take them along. If you don't take them with you, they can't be ripped off. Lock these things securely in the trunk, or better yet, leave them at home.

 

Sgt. Mark Buschena is a veteran police officer with 32 years experience. He is the author of "The Naked Truth About Personal Protection!" How to protect your life, family and property. Simple ways to protect yourself from thieves, muggers, rapists, robbers, burglars, con-artists, pick-pockets and other scum-of-the-earth! Get your copy at https://www.defendyourselfnow.com

How to Keep Burglars Out of Your Home or Apartment

Sgt. Mark Buschena Leave a comment

If you do not want burglars entering your home, you have got to make your house the "toughest target" on your block. Unfortunately, many people make it easy for the thief to choose their home as their next target. How? By leaving doors and windows unlocked and even open. Leaving garage doors open. By letting shrubs and bushes grow that covers their windows making it easy for window peepers and burglars to hide. And by failing to install motion sensor exterior lighting.

 

While there are no guarantees, police say the number one step to prevent residential burglaries is to install and use deadbolt locks. It's just as important to keep your doors locked when you are home as when you are away from home. A good deadbolt lock should extend a minimum of 1" when fully locked.

Doors–All exterior doors should be solid core in construction, or metal clad. Hollow core doors are easily kicked or battered in.

Strike Plates–This is the metal piece that mounts on the door jamb. The screws that hold this in place should be a minimum of 2 1/2" to 3". This will help prevent the door from being kicked open.

Motion sensor lights–These are an excellent investment. Burglars don't like to take a chance of being seen. Motion sensor lights will help light up your entrance, helping to scare away prowlers, and also lighting up the area for you or your guests.

Trim your shrubbery–Keep the bushes, hedges and shrubs around your house neatly trimmed and cut low. A jungle may be beautiful in the wilds or in a zoo, but a jungle around your house might conceal a hiding burglar or peeping tom. Shrubs should be 18 to 24 inches away from all entry points. Hedges should be cut 6 inches below the bottom level of all windows.

Other Tips–Before an extended absence, ask someone to watch your home, collect the mail and papers, and cut the lawn. This will give your home a "lived-in" look.

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Sgt. Mark Buschena is a veteran police officer with32 years experience. He is the author of "The Naked Truth About Personal Protection!" How to protect your life, family and property. Simple ways to protect yourself from thieves, muggers, rapists, robbers, burglars, con-artists, pick-pockets and other scum-of-the-earth! Your home is your castle. For more information on how to protect your home, your family and yourself, hurry on over to https://www.defendyourselfnow.com