Alger Park / Ash Creek Neighborhood Association
Crime Watch 1153
| Box 181228, Dallas, Texas 75218 Crime Line: 214 967-5191 |
V.I.P., or Volunteers In Patrol, is a crime watch tool used by neighborhoods to provide eyes and ears to the police. This is a non-confrontational activity and is done by volunteers after receiving police training on what to do. It has been shown to reduce crime when the bad guys see good guys on patrol. For more information and applications for this activity in Dallas please go to VIP Information. A training schedule will appear on the home page as it becomes available. The next session is in May 2009.
V.I.P. Observations and Practices
Suspects Head To Toe Description
Age, sex and skin color of suspect (height & weight)
Color, style, length of hair
Facial features including eyes, glasses, beard, sideburns, pimples, hood, hat, etc.
Clothing color, style, coats, insignia, sleeveless or long sleeved, pants, shoes
Special features like tattoos, scars, injuries, limp if any, bad breath, missing tooth or weird speech, body odor etc.
Guns, knives, clubs, etc.
Vehicle Descriptions Front To Back
Year, make and model
Color
Tinted windows or clear
Hardtop, convertible, T-top, etc.
Wheel rims normal, chrome, spinning or fancy
Special features like antennas, chrome or racing stripes, decals, broken lights, dents or rust spots
License tag if at all possible
Home Security Tips
Keep radio or TV on while away, talk/news format, different stations in 2 rooms.
Have a timer on lights for after dark while away.
Neighbor to pick up mail or get paper while away .
Water yard on a timer.
Use bump proof dead bolt locks on solid doors.
Use high quality keyed locks on fence gates, garage doors and sheds.
Motion detecting lights for night time use around car port and back yard.
Motion detectors can set off inside beepers instead of outside lights to warn owner of intrusion.
Grow thorny plants around windows and fences.
Use 2" or longer steel screws for mounting striker plates and hinge plates on doors.
Keep a vehicle in driveway at all times if possible, let neighbor park there if out of town.
Post an "electronic surveillance" or "dog warning" signs/stickers. Or post a note that says "Day sleeper. Do not ring bell".
Report anyone who is asking directions when startled by homeowner or another unintentional personal confrontation.
Engrave your permanent cell phone number or Texas DL number on all valuable items if possible.
Use fake soup cans or electrical outlets for hiding valuables; let your imagination work with this.
Keep all valuables out of vehicles overnight; including door remotes, wallets, computers, cell phones, etc.
Barking dogs.
Cut up or shred old credit cards and dispose of in several places.
Shred or destroy papers that contain personal info before trashing. Thieves have been known to dig in trash for this type stuff.
Internet Security Tips
Never converse with strangers or give out personal information.
Never answer unsolicited emails with personal information.
Delete all suspected spam, trolling and unknown emails.
Know what your kids are doing, be involved in their game or internet activities.
Never use your legal name or birthday for screen names or password data.
Do not use the "save your information" on any public computer or if others use your computer.
Be mindful of the data you store on computer, especially portable laptops.
Keep spyware & spamware software updated regularly and use it.
Install a lo-jack device into your laptop or desktop tower.
Destroy or reformat old hard drives if selling or junking your computer.