DASH CAMS- Another Crime Prevention Tool?

Police have had dash cams in their patrol cars for several decades. Many buses have cameras to show conduct of passengers and to show incidents that buses might become involved in. We are used to seeing dash cam videos broadcast on the nightly news for all sorts of incidents.

For the past few years dash cams have been marketed to the general public. It may seem like overkill to have a camera on all the time in your car. It’s just another gadget that has gone too far. But people justify the purchase of a car dash cam.

·         The dash cam video can be used as first-hand evidence in case you are involved in a vehicle accident. Often all parties in a crash or incident will claim that they were not at fault. A dash cam can make it easier to make the case that you are not at fault. It can also show when you are at fault in a crash.

·         A dash cam can keep an eye on your car when you park it. This may be helpful in areas where there are many car prowls or car thefts.

Dash cams are being offered between $40 to $500 depending on features and the quality of video that can be produced. Here are some tips in case you think that you might be interested in a dash cam,

·         Like with home security cameras, be sure to buy a dash cam that can give enough detail that would be useful for your insurance company or police to use as evidence.

·         Most dash cams start recording when you start your engine. If you are interested in your dash cam to protect you from a car prowl, find a model that can record when the engine is off. Also, some dash cams have a lens that covers the road and another lens that can see what is going on inside your car.

·         Most dash cams can store the video internally. When the memory fills up, the camera overwrites the oldest video files. Dash cams that can save video to the cloud can be helpful in car prowl situations when a car prowler could take the camera or try to destroy it.

·         An alert feature may be helpful to alert you when a car prowl is in progress.

Cameras may have some deterrent effect, but the usefulness of cameras comes as providing evidence showing a crime in their field of view. The most effective way to prevent a car prowl is to not have anything showing inside your car or truck.



KARE TV Minneapolis, MN:

https://www.kare11.com/article/money/consumer/dealboss/everyone-should-be-driving-with-a-dash-cam-and-heres-why/608-9db7e481-a6d4-4d0f-9497-885bbd4943cc



Lifehacker:

https://www.lifehacker.com.au/2019/03/how-dash-cams-can-affect-your-insurance-claim/



WTVR TV6 Richmond Virginia:

https://wtvr.com/2019/04/12/thief-realizes-dash-cam-is-recording-him-during-chesterfield-car-break-in/



Digital Trends:

https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/best-dash-cams/

NOTRE DAME- Watch Out for Scammers Taking Your Donation

We have all heard about and probably have seen the video of the fire at Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris. You may be motivated to donate to the restoration of this historic structure. However, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) warns that we all need to be wary of who we donate to in the name of charity.

Scammers frequently take advantage of well publicized disasters by pretending to be non-profit organizations trying to help victims of these disasters. Often the scammers will call you asking for a donation.

The FTC offers some tips to protect yourself from being scammed out of your donation money:

1.      Research the organization before giving any money.

2.      Ask questions about how the money will be spent.

3.      Be aware that crowdfunding sites may not monitor how donations are spent.

4.      Understand that donations to foreign organizations generally are not tax deductible.

For more details, go to,



Federal Trade Commission:

https://www.consumer.ftc.gov/blog/2019/04/scammers-and-your-notre-dame-donations



Also, the Washington State Secretary of State’s web site is a great resource on tips for protecting yourself from charity fraud. You can also search for charities who have registered in the State of Washington.



Washington State Secretary of State:

https://www.sos.wa.gov/charities/

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Adventures in Boating

REGISTER TODAY for the 2019 Adventures in Boating.

The Sheriff's Office Marine Unit is offering a FREE boating course on Sunday, April 28. Kids over the age of 12 and family members are welcome to attend. Registration is required, please email Sgt. Greg Sanders to register gregory.sanders@snoco.org.  

There is a $10 fee for the boater card after the course has been completed.



Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/210/Sheriffs-Office

CHILD ABUSE- April is National Child Abuse Prevention Month

An estimated one in four children have experienced abuse or neglect at some point in their lives. This means that they have experienced either neglect, physical abuse, sexual abuse, emotional abuse or trafficking or some combination of each.

Parenting is a tough job. Most of us do it successfully. But a combination of stress, substance abuse, intergenerational trauma, isolation, immaturity and unrealistic expectations can cause a parent or guardian to abuse a child.

Sometimes parents need help. This can come through their family or friends. In some cases, professional counseling can help parents with juggling the stresses of family life. In extreme cases, the intervention of governmental agencies may be needed to protect the child.

Knowing the signs of potential abuse can help you to help a parent and a child. As the Washington State Department of Children, Youth and Families points out, “The presence of a single sign does not prove child abuse is occurring in a family; however, when these signs appear repeatedly or in combination you should take a closer look at the situation and consider the possibility of child abuse.”

Signs that a child might show of child abuse or neglect might include:

·         Shows sudden changes in behavior or school performance.

·         Has not received help for physical or medical problems brought to the parents’ attention.

·         Has learning problems (or difficulty concentrating) that cannot be attributed to specific physical or psychological causes.

·         Is always watchful, as though preparing for something bad to happen.

·         Lacks adult supervision.

·         Is overly compliant, passive, or withdrawn.

·         Comes to school or other activities early, stays late, and does not want to go home.

If you would like to learn more about child abuse and how to report child abuse check out the following links,

Washington State Department of Children, Youth, and Families:

https://www.dcyf.wa.gov/safety/report-abuse

For help with prevention, intervention or treatment of child abuse check out this web site,

Childhelp:

https://www.childhelp.org/

For more information about child abuse and neglect, the following links will be helpful,

Childwelfare.gov:

https://www.childwelfare.gov/topics/preventing/preventionmonth/

Centers for disease Control and Prevention:

https://www.cdc.gov/features/healthychildren/index.html

STOLEN VEHICLES- Take Your Keys/Fobs with You!

Ever since cars have had locks and keys, cops have been telling people to take the keys with them. They have implored drivers not to leave the keys in their cars making it easier for car thieves to steal.

And while modern car anti-theft technology has reduced car thefts in the early 2000’s a disturbing trend of cars stolen with the keys/fobs in them has moderated that trend.

The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NCIB) notes an 88% increase in car thefts with the keys/fobs inside between 2013 and 2018. It estimates, that nationwide, an average of 209 vehicles are stolen every day with the keys or fobs left in them.

In Washington State, 5,383 vehicles were stolen with the keys left in them between 2016 and 2018.

And, the NICB notes seasonality to this trend with colder months seeing more thefts. In order, December was first in the number of thefts, January second, November third, October fourth and July fifth. This is no doubt because many car owners warm up their cars in the morning before going to work, not only leaving the keys in the car, but the engine running for any car thief who comes by. And July might be in the top five months due to people cooling their cars in the summer months.

Key fobs bring sophistication and convenience to securing vehicles for drivers. But like the keys of old, if the driver does not lock the car and take the keys, all that technology is wasted.

Developing a habit of locking the door and taking the keys or fobs, will go a long way to securing your car or truck.



National Insurance Crime Bureau:

https://www.nicb.org/news/news-releases/thefts-vehicles-keys-left-inside-continue-rise



LoJack:



 https://www.lojack.com/blog/2019/03/simple-key-protect-auto-theft/?utm_campaign=Oktopost-LoJack+Blog&utm_content=Oktopost-twitter&utm_medium=social-organic&utm_source=twitter

SNOHOMISH COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE- Missing Person

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office detectives seek the public’s help locating 32-year-old Sophia Pirie of Snohomish, who has not been heard from since Monday, March 4. It is believed Sophia was seen briefly at the Tulalip Resort Casino on Monday, March 18.

Both vehicles associated with Sophia have been impounded by police in the last two weeks. One vehicle was in Tulalip and the second vehicle was in Federal Way. It is unknown what connections Sophia has to the Federal Way area.

Family members are concerned because it is unusual for Sophia to be out of contact for such a long period of time. Sophia has brown hair, is 5’8” tall and weighs approximately 130 lbs.

Anyone with information about Sophia or her whereabouts is asked to call 911.











Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/Archive.aspx?AMID=38&Type=Recent

TRAIL HEADS- Car Prowls Can Be a Problem

With the weather clearing up and getting warmer, many people think of going out hiking in the mountains. They may not expect to come back from their hike to a vehicle that has been broken into and stuff stolen from it. That does happen at our trailheads as detailed in this blog post at The Mountaineers web site,

https://www.mountaineers.org/blog/how-to-deal-with-a-smash-and-grab?fbclid=IwAR2OyBECXdgv8WB-nrif2zLcRPluYxBDsnd0ShR50H0YkwrHrrtst6S1KVA



The author returned to her vehicle to find that it had been broken into and her car registration, with the address to her home, had been taken from the glovebox as well as a set of house keys. The thieves went to her home and entered the house by unlocking the door.

Many car prowls do not also result in a home burglary but having someone break into your car or truck and take anything from it is bad enough.

We often prepare for our hikes (taking the 10 essentials, https://scvsar.org/ten-essentials). Part of that preparation also should be preparing your vehicle to sit at the trailhead parking lot while you are on your hike. You can do that by,

·        Not taking anything that you do not need on your hike with you. Keep your valuables at home.

·        If you plan on putting anything in your trunk, put it there at home before you leave. Car prowlers could see what you have put in your trunk at the trail head.

·        Keeping a lookout for any “suspicious” people who seem to be just hanging out, not readying themselves to go on a hike, or getting ready to leave the area. Write down a description and a license number of their vehicle if you safely can.

·        Taking items such as your driver’s license, credit/debit cards, phone, etc. with you on the trail.

·        Not leaving the keys in the vehicle! Do not hide your keys in the vehicle. Car thieves know where to look.

·        Not leaving anything in view in your vehicle when you leave for your hike, not even an empty duffle bag, backpack, or a bag with garbage. Car prowlers will see them as an opportunity to steal.

·        Some people go to the extent of emptying their glove compartment and leaving its door open to show that there is nothing there. You can take your car registration with you. If you prefer not to take the registration with you, blank out your address on it.

·        Lock your car! While some people say that they leave their parked car unlocked, most deputies would not recommend leaving your car unlocked. An unlocked car is easier to steal, so if the suspect needs wheels, he/she could take your unlocked car. Also, car prowls are crimes of opportunity. A car prowler most likely is not going to break into a car if he/she does not think that there is something worthwhile stealing.  

·        If you do see anyone suspicious, or if your car is broken into, report it to the nearest ranger station.

Snohomish County Sheriff’s Office:

https://www.snohomishcountywa.gov/DocumentCenter/View/445/Vehicle-Prowl-PDF