Improve Safety Initiatives for Crime Prevention Month

PSO encourages a habit of removing personal belongings from your car, and locking the doors to your car and home at 9 p.m. each night, known as the #9PMRoutine! One of the most common calls for service that the PSO receives is to investigate a car theft or burglary. Potential criminals usually look for the easiest targets, so when they can’t quickly enter a car or home, they’ll often keep moving. Removing your valuables when you park a car can ensure your items are safe with you. Be smart when storing your car and house keys, as easy access to car keys is the simplest way a criminal can steal a car. Leaving your car unlocked with a garage door opener inside can also give potential criminals access to your home, including your car keys and other valuables.

By knowing the common red flags of a scam, you can prevent yourself from becoming a victim. Scammers often pretend to be from an organization you know. Recently, criminals have tried to pose as actual PSO members by obtaining employee names from PSO’s website, social media or other interactions. Don’t provide your personal information, such as social security numbers, account numbers or credit card information, to an unsolicited request. You can avoid scams by resisting the pressure to act immediately. Scammers will often instruct potential victims to send money through ways that are less regulated or difficult to trace. When in doubt about suspicious behavior over the phone, disconnect the call and report it to law enforcement.

Valuable information generated from properly reported tips can reduce crime and resolve active investigations. If you see something, say something! Being alert and reporting tips to local law enforcement can protect your family, friends and neighbors. All reported tips, no matter how small, can aid an investigation. PSO investigates all threats we’re made aware of. There are many signs of risk and suspicious behavior you can report, such as:

• Suspicious individuals, like someone taking pictures or videos of people, facilities, security features or layouts.
• A large collection of harmful materials such as chemicals, explosives, weapons or other dangerous items.
• Corrupt behavior, perhaps falsifying records, documentation or identification.
• Someone who impersonates who they are or what organization they claim to be with.
• Uncomfortable interactions with someone who tries to bribe, manipulate, solicit or recruit you to do something that makes you uncomfortable.

If you believe a situation is unsafe, it’s important to know how to best call for help. If you are in danger or witness an emergency, call 911 for immediate assistance. If you need to report something that is not an active crime or emergency, call the Pasco Sheriff’s Non-Emergency Number at 727-847-8102, option 7. Report tips anonymously online at PascoSheriff.com/tips.  Citizen online reporting is only reviewed during business hours. For emergencies, always dial 911.

These valuable safety initiatives can help you stay ahead of a potential criminal’s schemes. Share these tips with your friends, family and neighbors to help spread awareness this Crime Prevention Month. Interested in learning more crime prevention tips? PSO often shares crime prevention tips and common scams on our social media platforms; follow our pages to learn more and stay up-to-date with crime trends and prevention.