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Crime Prevention / Personal Safety Tips by Cst. Longley, Business Liaison Officer VPD

Constable Anne Longley is a new Business Liaison Officer
at Vancouver Police Department. She writes articles in
a local newsletter. Below are three of the recent articles.

> How To Be a Good Witness
> ATM Safety Tips
> Safe Cycling in the City

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How to be a Good Witness
Constable Anne Longley, Business Liaison Officer
Vancouver Police Department

Have you ever witnessed something suspicious and wondered whether you should call the police? Many people are unsure when to call 911, when to call the non-emergency number, or whether to report it at all. Whatever the incident, the police and E-Comm staff are available 24-7, 365 days a year.

The 911 number is for police, fire or medical emergencies when immediate action is required, such as if life or property are in danger or if a crime is in progress. An in-progress crime can include fights & assaults, anything where a suspect is still at the scene, a report of an impaired driver, or a serious crime that has just happened even if the suspect has fled.

The non-emergency line is for situations where an immediate response of the police is not required. This includes things like reporting a crime with no suspect or with a time delay, as well as ongoing crime issues that are not in progress and noise complaints. If you are unsure how serious an incident is, call 911 and the call-taker will advise you whether you should be reporting it through the non-emergency number instead.

There's nothing more satisfying for the police than to catch a criminal in the act due to an alert person calling 911 and giving a great description of the situation and suspect. When your call is answered you will be asked specific questions in a priority sequence. Be prepared to answer questions relating to the five Ws: Where is this taking place? What is happening and is it happening now? How many are involved and are there any weapons? Who is involved - and what are their descriptions? Height, build, racial origin, hair colour, clothing colour and style, as well as any unique features, all help the police to identify the correct suspect(s). The same goes for vehicles, and getting the license plate and make, model and colour of the car assists us greatly. Stay on the phone with the call-taker until they advise you to hang up, and then wait for the police to come and see you. Write some notes down of what you saw while it's still fresh in your mind.

Although it's tempting at times to jump in and get involved if you see something going on, we always advise people to consider their safety first, and to call 911 immediately to alert the police. Being a good witness, while remaining safe and calm, is often the best assistance you can give us.

If an incident occurs at your work site, you must also notify your Security Department after the police have been called.

Vancouver Police Department Non Emergency #604-717-3321
E-Comm website for more information (visit www.ecomm911.ca)
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ATM Safety Tips
By Constable Anne Longley, Business Liaison Officer
Vancouver Police Department

In the hectic world of electronic convenience that we live in, have you ever wondered how you would cope if your ATM bank card was compromised, or what you would do if you no longer felt safe using ATMs?

Concerns about Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) arise for a couple of reasons. The first one has to do with physical safety and the area where the ATM machine is located. The second one has to do with illegal ATM card transactions, such as card skimming or card jamming.

There are some simple precautions to follow regarding your personal safety when using any ATM machine, whether at a bank, in the grocery store or a restaurant. Looking after yourself, your PIN and your card are the keys to protecting your security. Below are some common sense ideas when using an ATM machine:

• Look around you before you approach - does anything or anyone look suspicious? Is anyone watching you or standing too close?
• Use ATMs that you're familiar with and that are a trusted source such as a bank.
• Look over the machine before inserting your card. If you see anything that looks unfamiliar on the machine, it could be an external card reader or hidden camera used to compromise your card. If it looks suspicious, use another machine and report it to the service provider.
• Be sure to lock your doors and secure windows at drive-through ATMs. As soon as your transaction is complete, roll up your windows and move on.
• Have your card ready prior to approaching the ATM. This eliminates digging around in your purse or wallet and unnecessarily exposing your other cards or cash.
• Use ATMs that are well-lit and in a safe location. If someone follows you into a secure ATM location, turn around and leave without using the ATM.
• Get your cash out of sight. Any amount of cash can be tempting if it's out in the open.

The other concern with bank card safety revolves around techniques used to carry out ATM crime, such as card jamming, card skimming and card swapping, which are all done to compromise your account. Always be alert to what is happening with your card when performing a transaction, and watch your card when you hand it to a cashier. Often a consumer doesn't know their card has been compromised until they receive their bank statement and discover they're missing money and their card was used in places they've never been to. This can be particularly devastating if not discovered quickly, so another good idea is to check your bank account regularly, which can be done easily through on-line banking sites.

The best advice is to stay informed and aware of current trends involving ATM scams, and to contact your bank if you have any concerns. Millions of transactions are successfully carried out every day around the world without problems or interference by criminals or fraudsters, but you can do your part by being security-conscious and taking precautions whenever possible.

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Safe Cycling in the CityConstable Anne Longley,
Business Liaison Officer
Vancouver Police Department

With all the recent focus on cycling in the City and the new experimental bike lane on the Burrard Street Bridge, I thought it would be timely to write about basic cycling safety.

I've always enjoyed cycling and used to ride my bike to work before moving to the suburbs. However, even my good "road sense" and being a careful and courteous rider didn't prevent me from tangling with a car on one occasion. The unfortunate part of cycling is that no matter how careful you might be, a car driver may not be able to see you and may not be anticipating where you are. When it's a car versus a cyclist, the car will usually win and the cyclist will be hurt. Luckily for me I wasn't badly injured, with only a couple of cracked ribs and a bent bike.

The first thing to remember when cycling (after putting on your approved helmet, which is required by law) is that you must obey the rules of the road, just like all other vehicles. This means coming to a complete stop at stop signs and red lights, riding on the correct side of the road, and signaling when you're making a turn. Cyclists need to think and look well ahead in order to anticipate sudden changes in traffic or for vehicles turning at intersections. My collision was caused when a car in front of me suddenly pulled into a parallel parking spot without signaling (or backing in as he should have done), causing me to brake hard and then fly over the hood of his car. Not the kind of sudden stop I wanted!

The second thing to remember is to position yourself so that other road users can easily see you. If you're weaving in and out of traffic or riding in blind spots of drivers, they may not be able to see you. Cyclists on the road should be riding on the right hand side and in single file. If you are approaching other cyclists or pedestrians on a pathway from the rear, ring your bell in advance to alert them, and advise which side you'll be passing on.

The third thing to keep you safe should be the first thing you think about before you set out, and that's your safety gear. Wear brightly coloured clothing with reflective strips and/or a safety vest with reflective strips. Reflective clothing and reflective material on your bike will increase your visibility from dusk to dawn or in difficult weather conditions, such as rain or fog. As for helmets - love them or hate them, it's the law to wear one. Studies have shown that a helmet will greatly reduce your chances of a serious head injury in the event of a crash. If you are cycling after dark, you are also required by law to have a front white light visible for a minimum of 150 m and a rear red light that should be visible for a minimum of 100 m, as well as a red rear reflector. Without lights and reflective gear you're nearly invisible to drivers at night. You may see them, but they won't see you.

Cycling to work is a great way to reduce your carbon foot-print; it's economical, and it will also improve your fitness, but don't forget to follow the safety tips in order to arrive at your destination safely. Happy cycling!


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