Crime and Safety Seminary (2009)

In 2009, WANG co-hosted a Crime and Safety Seminar with the Austin Police Department at the O. Henry Middle School.  The seminar featured APD Chief of Police Art Acevedo as the special guest speaker, including presentations by APD representatives concerning crime prevention, as well as information from local security companies and products for protecting your home.  See highlights and links from the agenda below:

HIGHLIGHTS AND LINKS FROM THE

WEST AUSTIN CRIME AND SAFETY SEMINAR

Website for Austin Police Department with links to all areas:  http://www.austintexas.gov/department/police

Annual Crime and Traffic Reports 2008-2015:

http://www.austintexas.gov/page/annual-crime-traffic-reports

West Austin Crime BLOG — To report crime or read blogs on activity in West Austin see:
http://groups.yahoo.com/group/West_Austin_Crime_Reports/

Burglary prevention tips

Burglaries in Austin neighborhoods cost residents over 1.3 million per year in loss of property alone. Most burglaries in your neighborhood are being committed by youths 18 and under. They are not skilled professionals, but they will take advantage of an easy target. Don’t make it easy for them.

1. Install a deadbolt lock.
Deadbolts are usually locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder should be pick resistant. Lock your doors every time you leave the house, even if you’re leaving for just a few minutes during the day. The most popular times for residential burglaries are weekday daylight hours. In over 1/3 of burglaries, there is no forcible entry–someone forgot to lock the doors.

2. Install solid doors.
Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material and each door must fit its frame securely.

3. Keep garage doors closed and locked.

4. Secure sliding doors and windows.
Cut a broom handle to the length of the bottom track so that the window or door will not slide open when forced. Also, drill one hole through both casings and sliding window and insert a nail or pin.

5. Secure sash windows.
To prevent wooden sash windows from being pried open, drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window through and into the bottom of the top window and insert a pin or nail.
To prevent aluminum sash windows from being broken into, purchase a track lock that blocks the window track.

6. Mark your property.
Mark your valuables with an engraver. Marking your property serves as a deterrent to would-be burglars and it helps police in identifying and returning stolen property. Make a property identification list. Put warning stickers on doors and windows.

7. Purchase a burglar alarm.
A home alarm system can be a very effective burglary deterrent and fit into many people’s needs. Remember to test your system monthly.

8. Leave a light on.
When leaving on trips, leave a light on in the bathroom. In the bedroom, attach a lamp and radio to a 24-hour electric timer set to go on at dusk and off at your bedtime. Close bedroom drapes or blinds.

9. Use proper exterior lighting.
Place a light over every door. Double cones lights on each corner of the house will also light up windows.

10. Work together with your neighbors.
When you are going to be away, tell trusted neighbors and ask them to watch your property. Have neighbors maintain your yard. When on vacation, have someone cut grass. Shrubbery should not hide neighbors’ view of windows or doors. Have someone pick up newspapers and mail. Tell neighbors to call police if they notice anything suspicious.

Neighborhood Watch Block

How to start a neighborhood watch

Participation in a neighborhood watch program can help reduce crime in your area. To be eligible for a neighborhood watch sign, it is preferred that fifty percent of your neighborhood or block must attend one to three meetings where helpful information on personal and property crimes is shared. Tips include how to reduce your chances of being attacked. Contact your neighborhood association president, or the Austin Police Department at 974-4736. Download the Neighborhood Watch Manual (PDF)
“Stranger Danger” video adds to APD arsenal for child safety –>

Watch the MPEG video – low resolution (13.6 Mb .mpg)
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The mission of the Austin Police Department is to make Austin the safest city in America. The following video was created by the Austin Police Department to educate and raise awareness about child safety issues. This video is not intended to alarm or scare children or their families.

To schedule a presentation for a school, church, or civic organization, please call the Austin Police Department Office of Community Liaison at (512) 974-4700 or by email. 

Online Crime Reporting Resources Presentation by Jack Darby — for this presentation please e-mail: (jdlink@yahoo.com)

a)      Krimelabb Citywide Crime Data Plotting Tool —http://www.krimelabb.com

b)      West Austin Crime Listserv — West_Austin_Crime_Reports@yahoogroups.com

c)      Texas DPS Registered Sex Offenders Database — https://records.txdps.state.tx.us/DPS_WEB/Portal/index.aspx