SPD: Robberies on the Rise + What You Can Do

From The Seattle Times:

Though Seattle’s 2008 numbers reflect citywide decreases in major crimes, [Interim Police Chief John] Diaz said certain parts of the city — particularly the Central Area, Rainier Valley, downtown and Belltown — are still hot spots.

While overall, the North, East and Southwest Precincts showed decreases in major crimes last year, the South and West Precincts showed increases, he said.

An especially troubling trend that began late last year and seems to be continuing is the number of shootings and strong-arm robberies involving young people, Diaz said. Read more.

That said, South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator Mark Solomon advises anyone who is out and about to pay attention to his or her surroundings and employ basic personal safety measures like the following:

Safety On The Street

• Walk with a purpose; project an assertive, business-like image.
• Use common sense; plan your route to avoid uninhabited parks, parking lots, garages and alleyways; stick to well lit areas.
• Develop a plan before you see trouble.  Crossing a street or entering a store may get you out of a potentially bad situation.
• If a car follows you or beckons you while you are walking, do not approach it; instead, turn and quickly walk in the opposite direction.
• Watch your body space; don’t let people get too close, even if they appear to have a reason, like asking for the time, change, etc.
• Wear clothing and shoes that you can move freely and quickly in, especially when walking or waiting for the bus.

Minimize What Can Be Lost

• Carry only what you actually need.  Carry only small amounts of cash and only the credit cards you actually plan to use.  Leave expensive jewelry at home.
• Try not to carry anything that is irreplaceable or of sentimental value.  Losing family photos, address books, and important papers is usually more traumatic to victims than the actual financial loss.

Carrying Valuables Safely

• Handbags should be closed, carried in front of the body with an arm held loosely across it.  A bag dangling by your side is much easier for a thief to grab.  If wearing a handbag with a strap over the head, wear it under your coat.  This makes it harder for the robber to grab the strap.
• Don’t carry a handbag unless you actually need to.  Place essentials (keys, small amount of cash, I.D.) in a pocket.
• Since your address is usually on a card or document in your bag, avoid carrying your house keys in the same place.  Instead, carry keys in a pocket.
• If you must carry a large amount of cash or valuable items, do not carry them in your handbag or wallet.  Carry valuables in an inside pocket.

If You Are Confronted

• If someone demands your property and displays or implies in any way that they have a weapon, don’t resist.  There is no property more important than your health and safety.  You are more important than your “stuff.”  You can always get more stuff; you cannot get another you.

REPORT IT!!

• Report all robberies to police as soon as possible by calling 911. Police need the most descriptive and specific information a victim or witness can provide to locate the perpetrator of a crime: approximate height, weight, build, skin color, hair color, eye color, clothing (type, color, fit (loose/baggy or tight) – including shoes and headwear, and direction of travel.  If you or someone you know is a survivor of any crime, please share your information with police.

Mark Solomon is South Precinct Crime Prevention Coordinator for Seattle Police Department’s South Precinct. Photo Courtesy of SPD

Related:

• Rainier Beach Youth Robbed, Shot Three Times; Teen Shooter on the Run (5/30/09)
• Columbia City Business Robbed at Knifepoint in Brazen Mid-Day Heist; No Arrests (5/27/09)
• Breaking News: Home Invasion Burglary in Rainier Beach (5/22/09)

Tagged as: Mark Solomon