A PUBLIC SERVICE MESSAGE FROM THE PENNSYLVANIA STATE POLICE, EMBREEVILLE STATION

There are many steps residents can take to help prevent a crime or help police solve crimes that are occurring. Below are some helpful tips regarding steps you can take to safeguard against some of the more common criminal acts that occur.

THEFT FROM MOTOR VEHICLE:

• Park in a well-lit and busy area.  Always close all windows, lock all doors, and activate your car alarm or anti-theft device, if equipped
• Don’t leave an extra set of keys in a “secret” hiding place in your car.  Thieves routinely check the visors, ashtrays, under the floor mats and fenders.                                                                                                                             
• Never leave loose change, cell phones, compact discs, CD players, purses or wallets, or other valuables in plain view. Leave them at home or in the trunk where they are more secure and out of view.  Be sure to disengage the trunk release mechanism after placing valuables in the trunk. Valuables in full view invite theft even if the vehicle is locked.
• Avoid transferring valuable items to the trunk in open view of other people.
• If your stereo has a detachable faceplate, remove it.  Document serial numbers of valuables when serial numbers are available.  Engrave/mark other valuables with an identifying mark/number, such as your driver’s license number, so the items can be identified at a later date if this becomes necessary.  Do not use your Social Security Number when marking valuables.
• IMMEDIATELY report suspicious persons or activity around vehicles to the police.
  
  BURGLARY:
  
  

• Lock your home and vehicle; even during the daytime while you are home and especially when you leave your home. Criminals are looking for easy targets and an unlocked vehicle or home is an easy target. An unlocked vehicle with a garage door opener will give a criminal easy access to a locked house.
• Be observant for activity in the neighborhood, including vehicles parked in unusual places or people walking in the area. Communicate with your neighbors immediately if you see something that doesn’t look right such as a strange car in their driveway or someone walking out of their house when you know they aren’t home.
• Document what you see from a safe distance and without entering into a confrontation with the subject. A good description of a person or vehicle is important. The most important information is any vehicle registration plate information you can obtain. If you see a vehicle that appears unusual to you, write down the tag immediately. You may find out later that something occurred in the area and your notes will be important.
• Contact police immediately if you feel something is suspicious, call 911 immediately. People often hesitate to call; then call hours later to report what they saw. A delay in reporting a suspicious situation is much more difficult for the police to investigate.  
• Record serial numbers of valuables in your home. In the event they are stolen, this will allow them to be entered into a national database of stolen property to assist in recovery.
• Photograph items such as jewelry that don’t have serial numbers. This will help in the identification and recovery of these items.
• Install/utilize outdoor lighting and motion lighting if possible.        

The Pennsylvania State Police, troop J - Embreeville station can be reached at 484-340-3241