Protecting yourself, family and property

As we enter 2009, we have already seen some very violent crimes.

The recent home invasions and a rise in drug activity I believe can partially be contributed to the economy.

The economy impacts each of us personally and, when you consider the criminal element and what they do to survive, this only gets worse when times are hard.

It's never an excuse to do bad things, but nonetheless this is what we deal with.

Some concerned citizens asked for advice during the days the home invasions took place. However, to everyone's relief the suspects were apprehended almost before anyone could get too worried.

My hat is off to the fine men and women I have the privilege of working with to all their hard work and the fast and professional investigation.

Home invasions are very scary and it destroys the belief that we are safest in our homes. Of course we all hope these sorts of things won't happen, but some tips for safety are always good to know.

Home Safety Tips

Never automatically open your door. Make sure you know the person's identity before admitting them inside.

If it's a stranger, don't be afraid to ask for some identification. If they are not willing to do this, then do not let them in your home.

All doors in your home leading to the outside should have dead-bolt locks. This is a must for robbery prevention.

When away at night, leave a light on.

Do not leave a key over a door, under a mat or located in any other obvious hiding places.

Mark your valuables and keep a good record of all your valuable possessions stored in a safe place.

When leaving on a trip, stop all deliveries, connect a light to a timer, notify the local police and have a neighbor check your home from time to time.

If you're going to be gone for an extended time, consider having someone maintain your property so it appears like someone is home.

Be A Good Neighbor And Witness, Not A Victim

We all need to be good neighbors and if we see suspicious people, cars or situations we need to contact the police.

Of course, we all know that there are times that no matter how much planning and prevention we do some things are out of our control.

If it happens to you, remember to STAY CALM.

It may sound silly, but, in these types of situations, if you take a deep breath and count to ten you would be amazed at the amount of calm you can achieve.

Remember to cooperate with the criminal, no amount of cash or property is worth getting you or your family hurt.

Don't fight back unless you determine you are in danger of being killed or seriously hurt. Instead, concentrate on getting all the information about what is happening so you can be an effective witness.

Look carefully at the intruders, even if they are masked. Is there something unique about them, such as scars, tattoos, big ears or a big nose.

What are they wearing?

How does their voice sound (accent?) and what or how do they talk?

Even paying attention to how they smell can be important to authorities investigating the case.

Law enforcement agencies and officers are committed to making you safe, but we can't do it alone.

Get your family and friends involved in creating a safety plan for your homes and your community in the event of such crimes happening in your neighborhood.

Please contact your local city, county or state law enforcement agency if you have concerns about home invasions or home safety.

Stay safe,

Terry L. Skaggs

Clay City Police Chief

111 West 8th Street

Clay City, Ind., 47841

Phone: 812-939-2311

Fax: 812-939-0007

Email: claycitypolice@claycountyin.gov