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Friday, November 30, 2012

HOLIDAY TRAVEL SAFETY- Some Tips from the National Crime Prevention Council


Here are some more holiday safety tips. With Christmas coming up, many of us will be traveling to see family in other parts of the country. The National Crime Prevention Council offers some travel advice (which is also good when you go on vacation in the summer):

NCPC suggests following these safety tips to avoid problems during your travels:

Personal Travel Plan: Think Before You Go

·         File a “travel plan.” Let someone know where you are going, the route you plan to take, when you plan to arrive and how to contact you. If you deviate from that plan, let someone know.

·         Travel with friends. There is safety in numbers.

·         Make sure your house appears “lived-in” when you are away. Lock all doors and windows, set household lights (inside and out) on timers.

·         Trim your hedges and bushes so thieves cannot have a place to hide out.

·         Have a neighbor park a car in your driveway to make it appear as if someone is home.

·         Have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspapers while you are away or have them held at the post office.

·         Invest in an alarm. An alarm system controls access points to your home and lets you know if someone has invaded your space.

Driving: On the Road Again

·         Always lock your car doors. Keep valuables out of sight, preferably in the trunk of your car.

·         Never pick up hitchhikers.

·         Park in well-lighted areas and close to the building.

·         Do not stop alongside the road if possible. If your car is bumped from behind or if someone indicates there is something wrong with your car, go to a service station or a well-lighted, populated area and call for help.

·         Fill the gas tank before dark; lock your car doors and roll up your windows if you step away from the car for any reason.

Travel Destination: Checking In

·         Use all hotel locks and other security devices, even when you’re in your room.

·         Store valuables in the room safe or in the facility’s main safe.

·         Don’t tell strangers the name of your hotel, your room number, or other personal information.

·         Guard your room keys. Don’t leave them unattended or visible at restaurants, the pool, or clubs.

·         Don’t prop open your door or open your door to strangers. Use the peep hole before opening the door.

·         Don’t leave your purse or bags unattended at hotel buffets or lounges.

Personal Safety: On the Town

·         Avoid carrying large amounts of cash. Take only the cash you need in your purse or wallet.

·         Limit the number of credit cards you carry. Bring only the necessary credit card(s) with you and carry money separately from credit cards.

·         Women should keep purses closed and snuggled tightly against the body.

·         Men should keep wallets in a front pants pocket or coat pocket.

·         Know your route and stick to well-lighted, well-traveled streets.

·         If you feel threatened, get away and call for help, or try to go to a crowded place.

·         Always let someone know where you are going, who you are with, and when you will return.

·         Avoid going off with strangers, and always use the buddy system.

·         Avoid using alcohol and other drugs. Impaired judgment can put you in potentially dangerous situations.

·         Select ATM machines in visible, well-lighted locations.

Link:


 

Sunday, November 25, 2012

AUTUMN MEADOWS- Attempted Burglary


On the evening of Wednesday, November 21, around 10:15pm, a burglar attempted to enter a house near the intersection of 44th Dr. SE and 122nd Pl SE in Autumn Meadows.

At that time, the alarm went off. The homeowner’s were upstairs. The wife called 911. The husband checked the downstairs, after arming himself. All he found was the front door wide open. Sheriff’s deputies checked the area for suspects.

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Sheriff’s Office Newsletter with Holiday Safety Tips


SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Sheriff’s Office Newsletter with Holiday Safety Tips

This is the time of year for safety reminders. The major media in Puget Sound have already picked up on car prowls in shopping centers in some parts of the area. The Sheriff’s Office has released its holiday issue of “Partners in Crime Prevention” with more suggestions to protect yourself from becoming a victim:

Tuesday, November 20, 2012

LYNNWOOD- Winter Weather Safety Tips


The holiday season is a time of year for many safety reminders. Shannon Sessions, the Public Information Officer for the Lynnwood Police Department has recently issued following press release with several winter safety reminders:

“We already know this is going to be a difficult winter. Experts are warning that this isn’t the last time we will have the threat of lower temperatures and/or snow.

In light of those anticipated weather warnings, it is expected that some people will search for alternative heating sources and/or try to save time by heating up their vehicles while inside and sipping that last bit of coffee or tea…

It is important to spread the word on the dangers of Carbon Monoxide poisoning and leaving warming vehicles running and unattended.

       During the winter months, many people warm up their cars in the morning and then leave them unattended. Don’t do this! Not only is it against the law, but a running car is also an invitation to a car thief. TIP: cover your windshield with a towel each night which will keep it clear from the burden of the frost and/or snow.

       Never use a generator, grill, camp stove or other gasoline, propane, natural gas or charcoal-burning devices inside a home, garage, basement, crawlspace or any partially enclosed area. Locate units away from doors, windows and vents that could allow carbon monoxide to come indoors.

       The primary hazards to avoid when using alternate sources for electricity, heating or cooking are carbon monoxide poisoning, electric shock and fire. Carbon monoxide is a colorless, odorless gas that could kill without warning.

       Install carbon monoxide alarms in central locations on every level of your home and outside sleeping areas to provide early warning of accumulating carbon monoxide.

       If the carbon monoxide alarm sounds, move quickly to a fresh air location outdoors or by an open window or door.

       Call for help from the fresh air location and remain outside the location until emergency personnel arrive to assist you. “         

 

Friday, November 16, 2012

LYNNWOOD- Shred-A-Thon


Lynnwood High School’s Family, Career and Community Leaders of America (FCCLA) along with Frontline Shredding and the Alderwood-Terrace Rotary, is hosting a “Shred-A-thon” on Saturday November 17 from 12:00pm to 4:00pm at in the Northlake Community Church parking lot, 19029 North Road, Bothell, WA 98012.

If you have a pile of documents with your Social Security Number, credit card account number, bank account numbers, etc. this is your chance to easily and safely have them destroyed so that an ID thief cannot use them to steal your identity.

This is a fundraising event for the FCCLA. Suggested donations are $5 for a small box/bag and $10 for a large box/bag. If you have more than 5 large boxes please contact the club advisor Molly McFadden.

If you have any questions, please contact Molly McFadden:

Phone: (425) 431-5262


 

Thursday, November 15, 2012

BOTHELL- Suspects Sought in Home Robbery


The Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office is looking for three suspects in a home robbery in the 2400 block of 171st St SE that occurred on November 14 at about 1:40pm.

The homeowner was apparently “pistol-whipped” by one of the robbers causing serious but non-life threatening injuries.

The three suspects, all believed to be in their 20’s are described as:

  1. A tall black male wearing a blue and white jacket and blue jeans
  2. A shorter black male wearing black shirt and gray pants
  3. A tall white male wearing a hat and striped shirt

At least one of the suspects was believed to be carrying a gun.

If you have any information about the suspects please call 911.

Local coverage:

The Herald:


KING TV 5 News:


KIRO TV 7 News:


 

 

Wednesday, November 14, 2012

LYNNWOOD- Sheriff’s Office Detectives Looking for Walmart Robber


Detectives from the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office are asking for the public’s help in identify a robbery suspect who entered the Walmart store near 13th Ave W and 164th St SW at 2:30pm on October 26th.

The suspect handed a clerk a note that said that he had a gun and demanded money. The suspect fled after receiving an undisclosed amount of money.

The suspect is described as a thin 25 year-old white male between 150-175 lbs, 5’10”-5’11” tall with brown hair and sores on his face.  He was last seen wearing a dark “Lake Tahoe” hoodie, a gray or green bandana around his neck and what appeared to be a fur-lined trapper hat.




If you have any information about this suspect please call the Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office at (425) 388-3845

Sheriff’s Office press release:                                                                                                








Tuesday, November 13, 2012

SNOHOMISH COUNTY- Crime Statistics Released

The Herald has summarized the 2011 crime statistics for cities in Snohomish County based on the recently released annual report from the FBI, “Crime in the United States.”

Herald article:


FBI report “Crime in the United States:”


For example, crime in Everett, compared to 2010, showed a decrease in rapes, robberies, aggravated assaults, larceny/thefts, and motor vehicle thefts. The number of murders in Everett remained the same (5) compared to 2010. However, there was an increase in burglaries.

The latest statistics for unincorporated Snohomish County comes from the Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs website (http://www.waspc.org/index.php?d=54 ). The latest complete figures are for 2009 and 2010:

Year
 
Violent Total
 
Murder
 
Forcible Rape
 
Robbery
 
Aggravated Assault
 
2010
487
4
77
98
308
2009
546
10
80
126
330

 

Year
 
Property Total
 
Arson
 
Burglary
 
Larceny/Theft
 
Motor Vehicle Theft
 
2010
5,484
39
1,772
2,979
694
2009
6,096
53
2,228
3,063
752
Year
 
Crime Total
 
 
2010
5,971
 
2009
6,642
 

The total numbers show a slight decrease in each category from 2009 to 2010.

Some other interesting national crime statistics from the FBI:

2011 Crime Clock Statistics:

A violent crime occurred every        26.2 seconds

One murder every                               36.0 minutes

One forcible rape every                       6.3 minutes

One robbery every                              1.5 minutes

One aggravated assault every             42.0 seconds

 

A property crime occurred every      3.5 seconds

One burglary every                             14.4 seconds

One larceny-theft every                      5.1 seconds

One motor vehicle theft every           44.1 seconds

 

A law enforcement agency can “clear” or “close” an offense by making an arrest or through exceptional means (through the death of an offender, a victim’s refusal to cooperate with prosecution, or denial of extradition). According to the FBI, each class of crime is cleared as follows:

Violent Crimes:

  • Murder- 64.8%
  • Forcible rape- 41.2%
  • Robbery- 28.7%
  • Aggravated assault- 56.9%

Property Crimes:

  • Burglary- 12.7%
  • Larceny-theft- 21.5%
  • Motor vehicle theft- 11.9%

Several factors probably account for the better clearance rates of violent crimes over property crimes:

  1. Law enforcement agencies across the country emphasize going after violent crime offenders because these crimes involve the potential of injury and death to people. As a result, law enforcement agencies put much effort into solving violent crime cases and have developed sophisticated techniques to identify suspects.
  2. Property crimes usually involve either theft of property or damage to property. Property can be replaced. Also, determining the offender can be extremely difficult. Most property crimes are discovered after a home or business has been broken into with no witnesses to give suspect information to the law enforcement agency. This is why many local law enforcement agencies encourage Neighborhood Watch programs to take steps to prevent crime, to report suspicious activity in their neighborhoods, to keep a list of their more valuable belongings, and increasingly to put up cameras on their property.

 

 

Thursday, November 8, 2012

EDMONDS- Car Prowls


Edmonds PD is warning citizens about a car prowl spree that occurred early Monday morning. They broke into several cars in a three block area on 220th St SW between 84th Ave W and 87th Ave W.

Windows were broken and the thieves took valuables that were visible in the car. Also, several cars were unlocked, making even easier for the thieves to steal from the cars. Edmonds PD notes that so far this year, three quarters of car prowls involved unlocked cars.

Note: For several years now, local police agencies have been advising their citizens to keep nothing visible in their cars and to keep their cars locked. It’s too easy for car prowlers to open an unlocked vehicle or to break a window, reach in to pick up what they see, and be gone. And the Cops mean keep nothing visible. Even an empty bag can spark the interest of a car prowler.

Sheriff’s Office Vehicle Prowl Tip Sheet:


 
The Herald article about Edmonds car prowls:


 
KIRO TV 7 article about Edmonds car prowls with video: