The Purpose of this Guide
To provide a quick and easy reference for Seniors regarding safety
and security.
Please read this guide carefully.
IT MAY SAVE YOU FROM BECOMING A VICTIM OF CRIME
By working with the police and through education and awareness of
preventive techniques you will be better able to recognize
a potential crime situation.
PAY ATTENTION TO CRIME PREVENTION
Important Telephone Numbers...
Banking Tips to Protect Your Money...
Block Parents...
Elder Abuse...
Personal Safety...
Block Watch...
Charities...
Scams and Frauds...
Victim Services...
Preventing Auto Crime...
To the end of this page...
Some important telephone numbers that you should keep track of are:
EMERGENCY (Police, Fire, Ambulance): 9-1-1
Your NON-EMERGENCY telephone number for your local Police Station.
The telephone number for your local District or Community Police
Station.
Your local Block Watch telephone number.
The telephone number for your local Better Business Bureau.
Revenue Canada (Re: Charity Registration): 1-800-267-2384
Block Parent Canada: 1-888-474-9577
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TIPS TO PROTECT YOUR MONEY
1. Direct Deposit
Have your regular cheques sent to your bank via
Direct Deposit. Your money goes into your bank account. This
method is SAFE. CHEQUES SENT THROUGH THE MAIL MAY BE
INTERCEPTED BY CRIMINALS.
2. Credit Cards
Immediately sign the reverse side of a credit card when
received. Destroy old cards by cutting them into little
pieces. DO NOT GIVE YOUR CREDIT CARD NUMBER TO ANYONE
OVER THE PHONE.
3. Bank / Debit / Interact Cards
They reduce the need to carry a lot of cash. When making
purchases, a debit card replaces the need for cash. Ask at
your bank for more information.
4. Traveller's Cheques
When travelling use traveller's cheques instead of carrying
cash. Traveller's cheques can be replaced if lost or
stolen... money can't.
5. Automated Tellers
When using these machines be aware of who is around you. Do
not make it obvious you are taking out a lot of cash.
6. Safety Deposit Boxes
A secure place to keep valuables such as jewellery, stocks,
bonds, copies of important papers, keepsakes and wills.
DO NOT CARRY LARGE SUMS OF CASH OR HIDE A LOT OF CASH IN
YOUR HOME
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Block Parents have been screened by the police and display
a red and white sign in their window. If you need assistance, you
can go to a Block Parent's home for help. They do not have
to admit you into their home, but can offer to telephone police,
ambulance, a relative or a friend for you. Block Parent
houses are not only safe places for children to go, but also for
anyone who needs help.
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Some family members, caregivers, friends or landlords victimize
seniors. Abuse can be physical, financial or psychological. If
this is happening to you or anyone you know - SPEAK UP!
Most areas have SENIOR SUPPORT SERVICES. Check your local phone
book for more information.
Contents...
1. Around the Home...
Keep doorways and windows visible to neighbors. Keep your shrubs
cut back.
Program lights to come on and go off at various times of day and night.
Leave lights on outside every night. Lights illuminate dark areas
around your home. Place them high enough so that they cannot be
tampered with.
Close drapes or shades after dark.
Ensure you have good locks and / or additional locks on all doors
and windows.
Install a wide-angle door viewer to permit you to see all around
the area of your doorway.
When answering the door do not open; ask "WHO IS THERE?" Use
your peephole or check through a window.
NEVER OPEN THE DOOR TO A STRANGER
Leave a radio on when you are out.
Change your routine... burglars may watch your house to learn your habits.
2. When Walking...
Keep your head up and be aware of your surroundings.
Walk in well lit areas and away from alleys, doorways and bushes.
Carry your keys in your pocket in case your purse is stolen.
If you dangle your purse loosely from your shoulder, you are
an easy target.
Use a purse with a short strap, a small purse held closely to
your body, or a fanny pack. Do not carry large sums of money.
Do not wrap your purse around your wrist or wear it across
your chest. If someone tries to steal your purse, let it go.
They could knock you down and drag you.
If you think you are being followed, cross the street and go to
the nearest home, business or public place.
3. Travelling by car...
Plan your route ahead of time so you don't get lost.
Make sure you have enough gas before you are on your way.
NEVER pick up hitchhikers.
NEVER leave valuables on the seat beside you if the window is open.
Keep car doors locked at all times.
Have your keys ready before approaching your car.
Look both around then inside your car before entering.
If strangers approach your vehicle and you sense danger, press
your horn in SHORT blasts to attract attention.
If you have car trouble in a strange area, raise the hood, secure
all doors, lock yourself in and wait for the police. If a stranger
offers to help, DO NOT unlock your doors or open the window. Signal
the stranger to call police.
Always lock doors and windows when leaving vehicle, even for
a few minutes.
4. On a scooter...
In British Columbia, scooter drivers are considered by law to be
pedestrians.
Always travel SLOWLY on the sidewalk. If sidewalks are not accessible,
travel on the edge of the road facing oncoming traffic.
Cross the road only at crosswalks or corners.
Make yourself visible. Put reflective tape on all sides of the
scooter and use a 6 foot bike flag.
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Block Watch is a crime prevention program offered for free through
most police departments in Canada. The goal of Block Watch is to
reduce crime and the fear of crime through training, education and
communication. Neighbours work together to bring their
neighbourhoods closer and create safer communities.
INFORMATION NOT SHARED IS USELESS
Start a Block Watch in your neighborhood! The main commitments are:
- Be concerned about your neighbor's property and your own.
- Report any crimes in progress.
- Report any suspicious activity to the police and then to your
Captain.
Block Watch does NOT expect you to patrol your area or chase
burglars. A Block Watch neighborhood or complex tells CRIMINALS
THAT THEY ARE NOT WELCOME!
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All legitimate charitable organizations are registered with the
government. Ask for their registration number and then call Revenue
Canada at 1-800-267-2384 and ask whether the registration number
is legitimate.
Decide ahead of time what charities you want to support. Often
you will feel pressured to donate. DO NOT DONATE when you
feel this way. Tell the caller that you have given all you can
afford to your chosen charities.
Criminals will make you believe your money is going to a charity,
not into their pocket. Check out the charity first, then mail a
cheque if they satisfy you that they are legitimate.
DO NOT GIVE MONEY AT THE DOOR.
DO NOT TAKE ANY SOLICITATIONS OVER THE PHONE. BE FIRM AND HANG UP!
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- Con Artists Con artists can be men or women.
- Con artists may appear friendly and kind to gain your
confidence.
- Con artists come on strong and want to pressure you into
sending money or buying their product.
- Con artists view seniors as easy targets and they may try
to swindle you out of your money, valuables or property.
Prevention Tips
Do not give out any personal information.
Never trust anyone you do not know. Never purchase products or
services from a salesperson who arrives at your door uninvited.
Before making a decision to undertake any home repairs, discuss
it with family members, neighbors, or friends. Always check with
the Better Business Bureau at 682-2711.
If you have truly won any prize it will not cost you any money.
Do not send cash or a cheque or give out your credit card number.
If it is too good to be true, it usually is!!!
Report any suspicious activities to the police that you
believe may be a scam or fraud.
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Victim Services Programs provide information, support and
assistance to individuals dealing with the impact of assault,
break and enter, robbery, fraud, sudden death or any other
traumatic incident in their lives. A person who has been exposed
to an emotional crisis such as a sudden, totally unexpected
death may require assistance to regain control of their lives.
For further information (in the Surrey / White Rock, B.C. area),
contact:
Surrey RCMP Victim Services: 599-7600
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- Always lock your doors and windows.
- Use an anti-theft device such as a steering wheel lock,
alarm and / or immobilizer.
- Park in well lit and open areas.
- If you use secured (gated) parking always wait for the
gate to close behind you.
- Do not leave purses or garage door openers in your vehicle.
- Do not leave anything of value visible in your vehicle.
- If you rarely drive between 1:00 AM and 5:00 AM enroll in the
COMBAT AUTO THEFT (CAT) program, that is offered in the
province of British Columbia, Canada. Just ask about it at your local Community
Police Station, or go to the CAT section of this website by
clicking here (You'll have to use the "BACK" button on
your browser if you want to get back to this page).
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