Friday, March 18, 2005
Residential and Business Crime Alert for March 18, 2005
Residential and Business Crime Alert
March 18, 2005
Recent Trends
The most significant trend that has been occurring in Troy in the last several weeks is the theft of purses and wallets. The most common place that these thefts have been happening is from parked cars, however, they have been taken from office desks, employee break-rooms, health club lockers, shopping carts and baby strollers, and just about anywhere someone would leave their purse or wallet unattended. This crime can victimize you in more ways than one. You will first have the loss of, and damage to, your property: car window, identification, credit cards, and cash. You then stand a greater chance of having your identity stolen and used to destroy your credit. This can take months or years to repair. Protect yourself…follow the crime prevention tips in the next column.
If you have any information on any of the cases cited please contact the Troy Police Department.
**Severe Weather Awareness Week**
Governor Jennifer Granholm and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson have declared the week of March 20th through March 26th as Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The 2004 severe weather season was historic across southeast Michigan. There were a record number of warnings (197), severe weather events (238) and 16 tornadoes, well above the average of 6. 87 percent of all severe weather events occurred with a warning. The average lead-time for those severe weather events was a record 23.5 minutes.
In an effort to promote tornado safety preparedness, we will be testing the Tornado Siren Warning System on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005 at 10:30 A.M.
The purpose of this test is to raise the tornado safety awareness level of our citizens and offer schools and businesses an opportunity to test their internal disaster plans.
Oakland County also tests the Tornado Sirens on the first Saturday of every month from April to November at 1:00 P.M.
Please do not call the Police when you hear the Tornado Siren.
**Alliance Mobile Health offers FREE CPR training**
Alliance Mobile Health, the City of Troy's EMS provider, is offering a "Family and Friends" Community CPR course on Saturday, April 16, 2005 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois. This is not a "professional certification" course, but they teach basic CPR techniques, which can save a life until a professional rescuer arrives. The course is free to Troy residents. If you are interested in this course, please call Justin Hooks, EMT-P, CPR Education Coordinator for Alliance Mobile Health, at 248-765-9367 and sign up. The class is limited to 30 participants.
**From the Parking Enforcement Officers**
With warmer days come home improvement projects, which frequently leads to dumpsters, unattached trailers, and building materials being left in the street in front of homes. This is not allowed under the City of Troy ordinances. Anything that does not move on its own cannot be left in the roadway. These items are considered to be road hazards and the Police Department does get complaints on them. The owner of the item can receive a citation, and the Police may impound the items to remove the hazard.
Cars may not be parked on the street with for sale signs in or on them or parked for sale in a business lot unless the vehicle owner has written permission from the business owner clearly displayed in the vehicle.
Spring Break Activities Offered in Troy
“Spring Break Troy Style” will be offered throughout the city for students/teens on break. The program offers many opportunities to participate in events/activities at discounted costs. It also provides discounts at local restaurants specifically for young people. For a complete schedule of programs, events, and participating restaurants, check the local papers. The project is co-sponsored by the Troy Police Department, Troy Community Coalition, Troy School District, Big Beaver United Methodist Church, Troy Youth Assistance, Troy Parks and Recreation, Troy Families for Safe Homes, Boys and Girls Club of Troy, Athens Safe Rides, and Troy Public Library.
Crime Prevention Tips
· Do not leave your garage door opener unsecured in your vehicle. Make it a habit to take it out of your vehicle daily especially if you do not park in your garage.
· Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle in plain view.
· Always lock your vehicle doors.
· Park your vehicle in your garage if possible. If this is not possible park your vehicle in a well-lit area and lock the doors.
· Never leave a vehicle unattended while running.
· Remove all items of value from your vehicle and secure your vehicle.
· Always keep control of all your property.
· When going to a public facility such as a hospital or fitness center, or using any community locker room, take only the essential items to minimize the loss in the event of a theft.
· Always maintain control and security of your purse, wallet and credit cards. There are people out there who look for other people who they believe will be an easy target.
· Exercise diligence when out shopping and present an aware posture.
· Keep purses and wallets close to your person and do not set them down or walk away from them.
· Do not leave any items of value unattended for any length of time. They will be stolen!
· Always maintain control of your credit cards and secure the credit card numbers.
· If you suspect that you have been the victim of credit fraud call your credit card company and have them run a query of your charges.
March 18, 2005
Recent Trends
The most significant trend that has been occurring in Troy in the last several weeks is the theft of purses and wallets. The most common place that these thefts have been happening is from parked cars, however, they have been taken from office desks, employee break-rooms, health club lockers, shopping carts and baby strollers, and just about anywhere someone would leave their purse or wallet unattended. This crime can victimize you in more ways than one. You will first have the loss of, and damage to, your property: car window, identification, credit cards, and cash. You then stand a greater chance of having your identity stolen and used to destroy your credit. This can take months or years to repair. Protect yourself…follow the crime prevention tips in the next column.
If you have any information on any of the cases cited please contact the Troy Police Department.
**Severe Weather Awareness Week**
Governor Jennifer Granholm and Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson have declared the week of March 20th through March 26th as Severe Weather Awareness Week.
The 2004 severe weather season was historic across southeast Michigan. There were a record number of warnings (197), severe weather events (238) and 16 tornadoes, well above the average of 6. 87 percent of all severe weather events occurred with a warning. The average lead-time for those severe weather events was a record 23.5 minutes.
In an effort to promote tornado safety preparedness, we will be testing the Tornado Siren Warning System on Tuesday, March 22nd, 2005 at 10:30 A.M.
The purpose of this test is to raise the tornado safety awareness level of our citizens and offer schools and businesses an opportunity to test their internal disaster plans.
Oakland County also tests the Tornado Sirens on the first Saturday of every month from April to November at 1:00 P.M.
Please do not call the Police when you hear the Tornado Siren.
**Alliance Mobile Health offers FREE CPR training**
Alliance Mobile Health, the City of Troy's EMS provider, is offering a "Family and Friends" Community CPR course on Saturday, April 16, 2005 from 10:30 am to 3:30 pm at the Troy Community Center, 3179 Livernois. This is not a "professional certification" course, but they teach basic CPR techniques, which can save a life until a professional rescuer arrives. The course is free to Troy residents. If you are interested in this course, please call Justin Hooks, EMT-P, CPR Education Coordinator for Alliance Mobile Health, at 248-765-9367 and sign up. The class is limited to 30 participants.
**From the Parking Enforcement Officers**
With warmer days come home improvement projects, which frequently leads to dumpsters, unattached trailers, and building materials being left in the street in front of homes. This is not allowed under the City of Troy ordinances. Anything that does not move on its own cannot be left in the roadway. These items are considered to be road hazards and the Police Department does get complaints on them. The owner of the item can receive a citation, and the Police may impound the items to remove the hazard.
Cars may not be parked on the street with for sale signs in or on them or parked for sale in a business lot unless the vehicle owner has written permission from the business owner clearly displayed in the vehicle.
Spring Break Activities Offered in Troy
“Spring Break Troy Style” will be offered throughout the city for students/teens on break. The program offers many opportunities to participate in events/activities at discounted costs. It also provides discounts at local restaurants specifically for young people. For a complete schedule of programs, events, and participating restaurants, check the local papers. The project is co-sponsored by the Troy Police Department, Troy Community Coalition, Troy School District, Big Beaver United Methodist Church, Troy Youth Assistance, Troy Parks and Recreation, Troy Families for Safe Homes, Boys and Girls Club of Troy, Athens Safe Rides, and Troy Public Library.
Crime Prevention Tips
· Do not leave your garage door opener unsecured in your vehicle. Make it a habit to take it out of your vehicle daily especially if you do not park in your garage.
· Do not leave anything of value in your vehicle in plain view.
· Always lock your vehicle doors.
· Park your vehicle in your garage if possible. If this is not possible park your vehicle in a well-lit area and lock the doors.
· Never leave a vehicle unattended while running.
· Remove all items of value from your vehicle and secure your vehicle.
· Always keep control of all your property.
· When going to a public facility such as a hospital or fitness center, or using any community locker room, take only the essential items to minimize the loss in the event of a theft.
· Always maintain control and security of your purse, wallet and credit cards. There are people out there who look for other people who they believe will be an easy target.
· Exercise diligence when out shopping and present an aware posture.
· Keep purses and wallets close to your person and do not set them down or walk away from them.
· Do not leave any items of value unattended for any length of time. They will be stolen!
· Always maintain control of your credit cards and secure the credit card numbers.
· If you suspect that you have been the victim of credit fraud call your credit card company and have them run a query of your charges.
