Operations

Mission
Citizen's Academy
Bike Patrol
Traffic/Motor Unit
Victim Assistance
Crime Prevention
Training

Crime Prevention Tips

The Moscow Police Department has a variety of services to educate the public on reducing their risk of becoming a victim of crime:

Auto theft is a widespread crime that affects the whole community. Higher insurance rates, property damage and possible injuries and loss of life from accidents are the result. Its a billion-dollar-a-year crime. The thieves motives are joyriding, transportation, or profit by either selling the vehicle or stripping the parts.

You can reduce the risk of theft of your unattended car, its parts or contents, by observing certain precautions:

  • The majority of stolen cars are left unlocked, often with the keys in the ignition. Whether you leave your car for a moment or for several hours, always lock it and take the keys with you. Never leave your vehicle with the engine running. Don't make it easy for a thief.
  • Safeguard Keys - Keeps car keys and house keys on separate rings. Never have an identification tag on your car key ring. Thieves may use it to locate your car. Never hide an extra car key under the hood.
  • Secure Valuables and Parcels - Never leave checkbooks, credit cards or other such articles unattended in your car. Lock valuables in the trunk.
  • Park in Well-Lit and Busy Areas - This is important for both your personal safety and the protection of your car and its contents.
  • Mark Your Property - Criminals have also found it profitable to steal equipment and accessories. Engraving tools are available upon request from the Moscow Police Department. Mark equipment and accessories such as batteries, stereos, CB radios and hub caps.
  • DISCOURAGE THE THIEF
    • Some thieves specialize in lifting door-locking buttons with a coat hanger. consider purchasing smooth, non-flared locking buttons for your car doors.
    • Hood locks are available for vehicles with hoods that can be opened from the outside. Anti-theft alarm systems can be installed on your vehicle. Alarms can be wired to go off in any door, hood or trunk is opened and to detect any movement of the car.
    • Fuel and electrical cutoff devices can be installed to shut off fuel to a vehicle engine shortly after starting, if the vehicle is stolen. Hidden switches can be wired to prevent starting a car with a stolen key or to help deter easy jump start.
    • The use of anti-theft devices are highly recommended, but remember, for the device to be effective you must use it and use it properly.

Residential Crime Prevention

These three important elements are part of the criminal act:

  • The individual's desire to commit the crime.
  • Skill
  • Opportunity

Eliminating one element will prevent the crime. In combating burglary, our goal is to remove the easy opportunity the burglar needs to enter a house.

Consider the "Four Ds" when you select ways to make a house less attractive to burglars.

DETER the criminal from attacking the house or business in the first place.

DENY him access to the building if he tries.

DETECT him if he does attack so that the police can respond immediately.

DELAY him so he can be apprehended before he completes any crime to person or property

Alarm Systems Guide

The Moscow Police Department has prepared this information to provide you with basic knowledge of alarm systems and give you insight into considerations you should have in mind when dealing with alarm companies.

Case studies reveal most burglars are deterred by the mere presence of an alarm system. Burglars attack unprotected homes five to six times more often than homes protected by alarm systems, so an alarm is something worth considering.

The type of system that will be best for you depends on many different factors of your security needs (namely type of premise to be protected) and your lifestyle.

It will be important to shop around. What may appear to be an alarm system "bargain" could actually prove to be a severely compromised or extremely limited alarm system.

Basic Parts Of An Alarm System

Alarm systems involve three basic parts: the Control Panel, the Sensors, and the means of letting someone know there has been a problem (Annunciation).

The Control Panel is the brain of an alarm system. It receives signals from the Sensors and determines what must be done (i.e. system etc.). The Control Panel is where most of the cost differences exist between alarm systems

Sensors are the means by which your alarm is notified there is a problem.

Annunciation is how people are alerted to the alarm.

Advantages Of An Alarm System

1. The mere fact that an alarm systems exist is often a sufficient deterrent to discourage a burglar even before he tries to get in.

2. Peace of mind knowing you and your property are more secure.

3. Most insurance companies give a reduction on homeowner's insurance when an alarm system has been installed. Be sure to check with your agent for details.

Questions To Ask An Alarm Company Salesman

1. Is the system equipped with a battery pack up? Is the battery rechargeable? (The best batteries are a gel pack or nicad pack.)

2. Does the alarm company have insurance to cover the cost of any damage to your property caused by the company during installation of the system?

3. Are the company and installers properly licensed?

4. Does the company offer a written guarantee? What is guaranteed and for how long? Are the parts and labor covered?

5. If the system is "wireless", is it a supervised FM wireless system?

6. If you are alarming a business, does the system have a robbery mode for use during open business hours?

7. Does the company offer adequate service (maintenance, repair, etc.)?

8. What are the advantages of leasing a system, if any, over outright purchase of a system?

9. Can the company supply several names of local customers who have had this system installed (some customers will have requested anonymity, however)?