COLONIAL HEIGHTS POLICE
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS

SHOPPING AND BANKING

• Never carry large amounts of cash.  Always limit your potential losses.
   

• Never leave your children, purse, or valuables unattended when shopping.  It only takes a second for an experienced thief to act!
   

• If you are confronted by a robber never fight over valuables or money.  They can be replaced but your life cannot!  Always ask any possible witnesses to remain until police arrive.
   

• Constantly be alert of your surroundings.  Take special interest in any suspicious persons or activity around banks, stores and your residence.
   

• If you are a regular user of an ATM never establish a pattern try to go to different Machines at different times on different days. 
   

• Never count your money exiting the bank or the ATM promptly put it away and count it privately.  Thus not making you an easy target.
   

• Always close out your last transaction at the ATM and never leave your receipt behind.  This may give a criminal access to your accounts.
   

• Just a few ways to remain safe when out doing you’re shopping and banking here in the city of Colonial Heights.

• At night be sure to close blinds and curtains to prevent strangers from seeing inside your home. This tip could prevent the criminal's temptation to steal items from your home -- OUT OF SIGHT OUT OF MIND!
   
• List only your last name and first initial in telephone directories and on mailboxes. This tip could prevent those criminals who target females, living alone, for crimes.
   
• If a stranger asks to use your home telephone, never allow them inside your home. Instead offer to summon emergency assistance thus make the call for them.
   
• DO NOT hide spare keys outdoors. Placing keys under door mats, rocks, bushes, or the like is never a good idea. A criminal, who is watching your habits, could notice this and make entry into your home when you leave. The better alternative is to give spare keys to a trusted neighbor, relatives, or friends in the event you get locked out of your home or vehicle.
   
• If you come home to find a door or window open -- or any signs of a forced entry -- DO NOT enter your home. Go to a safe location and call the police (911).
   
• Keep all entrances around your home well lit.  Motion lights are a good alternative. Criminals are attracted to darkness, thus lights could deter their activity.
   
• Finally, when answering the door, do not rely totally on door chains. If practical, make sure all of your doors have peepholes to identify callers and check for proper identification.  Legitimate callers will not be offended if you ask for identification.