POLICE DEPARTMENT

Engraving | Gun Safety | Bicycle Security | Personal Safety | Laptop Security | Alarm Devices | Encryption Programs | If Victimized

Engraving

The property should be engraved in a prominent place where the marking will be both readily visible and difficult to cover or remove without the attempt being obvious.

· Televisions, stereos, VCRs, radios and other electronic equipment can be prominently marked on the back of the chassis or case.

· Engraving should be on the underside of the frame’s diagonal bar near the crank housing. Owner may also wish to engrave each wheel near the valve stem, the crank, derailleur, front forks, etc. The markings should be placed where they can be seen when standing on the right side of the bicycle. This makes the markings more easily seen by the thief, by the owner, by the police and all concerned. Cover the engraving with clear fingernail polish can help prevent deterioration.

· Engines and body parts of power driven equipment such as riding mowers and snowmobiles are sometimes exchanged to reduce the risk of identification. Mark both the engine and frame.

· Clothing and furs can be marked with invisible or indelible ink, or the number can be embroidered on the material.

· An additional marking should be made in an inconspicuous area on the property.

· Each engraved item should have a small decal affixed to its showing it is engraved.

Property that cannot be engraved, such as antiques, jewelry, coins, silver, china, etc. should be photographed in detail and appraised.

Maintain an inventory of engraved items, including a description of the property, the model number, the serial number, color, cost and the location of Operation Identification markings. The inventory list should be kept in a safe place.

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GUN SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS:

· Firearms kept in the home should be kept in a locked gun or pistol lock box at all times or keep the keys locked in a location know only to them.

· Secured firearms should have either a trigger lock, barrel lock or cylinder lock.

· Ammunition should be stored separately from guns, also in a locked container.

· A firearm should never be stored on or in a bedside table or under a mattress or pillow.

· Firearms should never be displayed at a social gathering.

· Firearms should never be displayed when alcohol or drugs are used.

· Children should be encourage to report to their parents the presence of any unsecured firearms they are aware of their friends or playmates.

· Any firearms lost, stolen or missing from the home should be reported to local law enforcement authorities immediately.

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BICYCLE SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS:

Purchase a good bicycle locking device.

· A recommended bicycle locking device consists of a three foot length of ¼ inch harden chain together with a keyed type padlock of high quality having at least 1/4/ inch hardend shackle.

· Although there is no bicycle lock or chain that cannot be defeated, the “U” shape locks have proven to be reasonably effective.

· A good padlock should have at least a 7/16 inch hardened alloy steal shackle. If the steel is hardened, the word “hardened” will be stamped on the shackle.

· The lock shackle should be secured at both “heel and toe” and the locking mechanism should be of “pin-tumble” construction.

DO’S

· Unattended bicycles should always be locked. More bicycles are stolen from homes than from any other location.

· The bicycle should be locked to an immoveable object in a conspicuous, open, and well-lighted place. When locking the bicycle, at a minimum both wheels and the frame should be secured.

· Lock the bicycle to a fixed, immovable object, like a parking meter or a permanent bike rack that is cemented or anchored into the ground.

· If a “U” – Lock is used, position the bicycle frame and wheels so that as much open space as possible within the U-portion of the lock is filled or taken up. This makes it more difficult for a thief to use tools to attack the lock.

· If a “U” - Lock is used, and it has a keyway on the end of the crossbar, position the lock with its keyway towards the ground. This makes it harder for the thief to access the lock.

· Record all vital information for a bicycle: make, model, color, identifying marks, serial number, etc. Have this information readily available for the police in the event of a theft. This will increase the chance of recovery.

DON’TS

Don’t lock bicycles to small tree, aluminum or wooden posts, or chain link fences. These items can be easily broken or cut.

Don’t lock a bicycle to disability accessible ramp.

Don’t lock a bicycle to itself (the front wheel locked to the frame). A thief can simply carry it away.

Don’t position a lock low to the ground. A thief can attack the lock more easily and less obviously in that position.

PERSONALIZE THE BICYCLE

Some types of bicycles are more likely to be stolen because of the value or brand name. Mountain bikes are very popular items of theft. To give them a special identify, owners of bicycles are encouraged to personalize them.

An effective technique for doing so is to remove all special names and stripes that were placed on it by the manufacturer. The owner could then paint their last name or initial on each side of the bicycle where the manufacturer’s name would normally be located. To personalize their bicycle, the owner should use a weather-resistant paint. They should not use spray paint because it can be easily removed.

The owner should take photographs of the bicycle, date the back of it and keep them with the bicycle receipts.

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PERSONAL SAFETY RECOMMENDATIONS

In Your Home or Apartment

· Have lights at all entrances.

· Have a wide-angle door viewer on all exterior doors.

· Have good locks on all doors and windows---------and use them!

· Do not use your full name on your mailbox, in the telephone directory, or on your answering machine.

· Do not leave a schedule of your times away from home on your answering machine.

· Know which of your neighbors you trust and depend upon in an emergency.

· Check who is at door before opening it, and o not open the door to an unexpected visitor.

· Don’t hide extra keys in easily accessible places. Criminals will find them.

· Ask for photo identification of all repair persons. If you are suspicious, call to verify employment.

· Never give personal information to telephone solicitors.

· Do not let strangers into your home or apartment to use the telephone. Offer to make the call for them.

On the Street

· Never hitchhike! It’s not work the risk!

· Be very careful using outside ATM’s at night or in unfamiliar surroundings.

· Try not to overload yourself with packages or other items. Keep your hands as free as possible.

· When carry a purse, carry it close to your body, preferably in front. Carry no more money or credit cards than you absolutely need.

· If you wear a purse with a shoulder strap, be prepared to let it go if snatched. Otherwise you could be knocked down and hurt.

In A Car

· When you approach your parked vehicle visually check the area around the vehicle for any suspicious persons or activity. If you observe anything suspicious walk to where there are other people and call the police.

· Always park in visible, well-lighted areas.

· If you drive a car, attempt to avoid parking next to a larger pickup truck or van. The can be easy to hide behind.

· Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle to reduce the time needed to enter

· When operating your vehicle, keep the doors locked and the windows rolled up.

· Any valuables in your car should be placed in the trunk or otherwise kept out of sight.

· When stopped at traffic lights or in traffic, allow space between you and the vehicle in front of you so you can drive away if necessary.

· If you are being followed, don’t drive home. Go to the nearest police or fire station and honk your horn. Or drive to an open gas station or other business where you can safely call the police. Don’t leave your car unless you are certain you can get inside the building safely.

In A Building

· Avoid isolated corridors or hallways.

· Be extra careful in stairwells and isolated or poorly-lighted restrooms

· Avoid entering an elevator which is occupied by only one other person who is stranger.

· In an elevator, stand near the controls and locate the emergency button.

· If you are assaulted while in an elevator, hit the emergency or alarm button and press as many floor buttons as possible.

At time when many categories of crime are decreasing, the thefts of laptop or notebook computers are increasing dramatically. With the value $2,00-5,000(not including data stored on the hard drive) laptop computers have become a prime targets for both the casual and experienced thief.

Safeware also estimates that five percent of all machines will be stolen within twelve months of purchase and of all machines stolen, only 3% will ever be recovered.

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LAP TOP SECURITY STATEGIES:

There are a number of strategies that may either prevent the theft of laptops or aid in their recovery if you should be unlucky enough to become victimized. Some of these are just plain common sense; while others feature a more physical or technological approach to the issues.

Record the make model and serial number of the machine and any peripheral attached devices and returned a completed warranty card to the manufacturer. Also, keep these numbers in your wallet or purse so if your computer is stolen, the information will be close at hand for inclusion in the police report.

Keep your laptop away from accessible windows where the thief can quickly break the window, reach in and remove the machine from desk top. Placing equipment or furnishing between the computer and the window will delay this “smash and grab” entry attempt and conceal the computer from casual street view through the window.

Identify your computer. Engrave your Texas Driver License will lead police directly to you should your laptop ever be recovered. If the machine belongs to your company, ask the person responsible for property inventory for a unique number. If reluctance to engrave due to warranty or property transfers issues use indelible markers or self-destructing tags. www.seton.com or www.wwwlinc.com

Another unique marking product, which includes a stolen registry service, is offered by Lightguardian (www.lightguardian.com): The Ttheft Tag. Is a special sticker that if removed displays the text “STOLEN PROPERTY CALL…” in the form of a tattoo on the stolen item along with a recovery service telephone number. The tag itself is difficult to remove (800 pounds according to the remaining on the surface. If the laptop is stolen, the serial number is registered with the stolen registry whereupon the information is available to police or Datamation Systems, Inc( www.pc-securtiy.com)

Back-up files in your lap top on a regular basis or download critical files to your desk top or server. Critical and/or confidential files should be kept on floppy disk carried in pocket or purse separate from the laptop. If such files must be maintained on the laptop, use the password features of your software so they may not be easily entered. This will make it difficult for a relatively unskilled thief to easily access your files to determine if the information is more valuable than the computer itself. At least one firm, Connected, Inc (www.connected.com), offers a back-up service over the over the Internet.
Check your homeowner’s insurance. Some policies will not cover a computer—particularly a computer stolen in transit or in a corporate office. If you travel internationally, make sure your coverage applies. If not covered, consider a rider or a separate insurance policy to cover the system. If personal insurance does not apply to your situation, consider purchasing separate insurance specially offered for the protection of computer-related equipment.

If your office is equipped with a lock, use it any time your away. It sounds simple, but the fact is that many office thefts are crimes of opportunity often committed by strangers or employees who simply walk through the building during the lunch hour looking for items of value.

On the Road

· Keep your laptop in a satchel, brief case or other nondescript bag. Standard cases designed specifically for your laptop clearly portray their contents, making it an easier task for the thief to spot in crowd.

· Don’t leave a laptop visible in an unattended motor vehicle even for a moment. Lock the computer in the trunk.

· Clearly identify the laptop with a visible name tag on the bag and by writing your name, address, and telephone number on the case. Place your business card inside the bag and reprint your identifying information in the battery compartment and/or on battery itself.

· If you are using the laptop in a critical presentation, it would be prudent to print out the slides as overhead transparencies before leaving and carry them in a separate briefcase or whole baggage. If your laptop is stolen, at least the trip will not be wasted. A disk copy of the presentation should also be carried separately.

· While commuting in taxi, shuttle bus or public transportation, keep you laptop with you at all times. Do not permit the driver to load your laptop as baggage where it may be out of your view.

At the Airport

· Mark the case in some unusual way to make it stand out from all other bags. An unusual color, special large tags or bright balls or flowers attached to the bag will give you a greater immediate ability to locate the bag. This gives Police reasonable suspicion to approach and question a person who may be in possession of you bags

· Keep your laptop as carry-on.

· ALWAYS keep your laptop within your sight lines. At airline counters, avoiding “leading “ your laptop case ahead of your; because if you turn away an opportunity is provided to the thief.

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Devices and Systems Available for Securing Your Laptop

As one would expect, manufacturers have responded to this ever increasing threat by offering a number of devices or systems intended to restrict access to the computer or the information contained within. Although none are foolproof, they will generally thwart most thieves who rely on opportune moments to commit the theft because they are simply not will to take the time to deal with security devices—particularly devices that delay their progress.

A number of manufactures offer cable locks which attached at the security slot provided on most notebooks. Located on the back or side of the machine, these slots are actually part of the steel inner case. A clip supplied by the lock manufacture provides an anchorage for the cable which is secured to the clip by a padlock or special locking head at the other end of the cable. A loop formed at the other end of the cable is used to secure the cable to a some fixed object such as a desk leg. Care should be exercised when anchoring these devices to a table or desk to ensure that the loop cannot be easily lifted over or under the fixed object; or the fixed object cannot be easily disassembled to defeat the loop.

If the laptop does not contain a security slot, or the desk does not provide a location for suitable anchorage, special adhesive pads containing an anchorage slot are available from a number of manufactures. At least one manufacture offers a cable kit that also protects the disk drive to prevent copying confidential data from your hard drive.

· Anchorpad (www.anchorpad.com)

· Anchor-NewMexico(www.anchor-newmexico.com

· Computer Security (www.computersecurity.com)

· PC Security Corp(www.pcsecurtiy.com)

· PC Guardian (www.pcguardian.com)

· Data Defender (1-800-272-2382)

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Alarm Devices and Systems

Regardless of the manufacture, alarm devices used for protection of laptop computers consist of three basic functional elements: 1) Some type of sensor to detect movement or the removal of a plug; 2) a method to control the device (turn it on or off); and 3)a sounder to alert the owner of an attempted theft. Manufactures do differ markedly as to how theses three elements are packaged as system.

· TrackIT, Corp (www.trackitcorp.com) offers a security product unique in its application of these three security alarm elements. The system consists of two units: one designed to be contained in the laptop case, the other carried by the owner. A series of RF transmissions between the two devices is in essence the system “sensor”. Should the unit become separated beyond a pre adjusted distance ( as would occur when the case is stolen), an alarm sounds both on the case and on the unit carried by the owner. A “panic button” is also provided.

· Port Inc (www.port.com) offers the Defcon series of alarm units for the detection of motion. The Defcon I is a stand alone unit intended for attachment through a special
· mounting clip inserted into the laptop’s security slot. The Defcon III is essentially the same unit manufactured in a laptop or briefcase form. Since these units are designed to detect movement, they are applicable only to those situations where the laptop is stationary. If the case is moved slightly, an alarm tome will occur providing a warning that continued movement will result in an alarm condition. The Defcon I cable is also part of the sensing circuitry. Emanating from the top and returning back into the unit, the loop is placed around or through the object to be protected. If disconnected or cut, an immediate alarm is produced.

· Minatronics Corp (www.minatronics.com) is well know supplier of optical fiber systems. Intended for desk or table top applications, a fiber optic cable is past through special mounting tabs on the computer or simply routed through any available slot or opening, then back to the receiver input on the alarm module. Pulse modulated light is then transmitted through the cable between the two points and if interrupted or otherwise disturbed, an immediate alarm event occurs.

An advantage to this product is that many items – printer, computers, disk drives, etc – can all be connected together in one continuous loop. Generally, this device is intended to be connected to an alarm control panel of your choosing. A radio frequency unit is also available to eliminate to eliminate hard wiring.

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Encryption Programs

Despite our best efforts, you can still loose your laptop to a thief. Moreover, at your final destination, files could be copied and passwords to e-mail and other accounts could be accessed without your knowledge. As a line of defense against unauthorized access to laptop files, manufactures have assembled a range of products designed to encrypt data or access routines. It is important to note however, Since most of these products render the machine virtually useless to the thief, they have a value as a theft deterrent as well—particularly if this fact is made know by warning sticker prominently displayed on the computer. In addition to protecting individual files, folders, or entire disk drives, these programs also offer encryption programs for e-mail and downloaded files. Principle manufactures of these products include:

· CyberAngel (www.sentryinc.com): EXR Encryptor

· PC Guardian (www.pcguardian.com)

· McAffee, Corp (www.mcaffee.com)

· Curtis Computer Products, Inc, Data Defender (www.datadefender.com)

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If You are Victimized

If your laptop is stolen there are some specific procedures you should follow:

· Report the theft immediately to the police. Have your serial and model numbers ready to provide to the reporting officer;

· Immediacy call your company and/or Internet service provider to change all passwords in e-mail accounts (if passwords or saved or otherwise appear in a file). If document files contain other personal numbers such as credit card numbers, debit card passwords or calling card numbers, ensure these are cancelled or reported to the appropriate agencies.

· Make a mental note of all confidential files that could compromise your company’s business operation and report the loss to your supervisor immediately

· Report the loss to the Nocmex USA stolen computer registry.

· Confidential files containing information that may be damaging to your clients or your client’s business should be made know to ensure damage control efforts can be undertaken.

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