Crime Prevention Essay, Research Paper
Essay Crime prevention Crime is not a good thing. But it exists, and it cannot be ignored. Crime lurks in many places. In metropolises, cities, towns and even villages. This essay will explain ways to prevent crime. Why are people doing crime? People are committing crimes for many reasons. One reason can be for personal gain. Some people have no where to go but to crime, which is a sad, sad thing. People who live on the streets in big cities, can’t get a job, are starving and have no money whatsoever, they sometimes get very depressed and feel helpless. Then they might try to steal for there own gain. But not only these commit crimes. There is another reason. Another reason that I see the most, is the simple thrill and pride(if you do not get caught which does not happen often) of doing a crime. The simple risk your taking gives an exciting feeling. It inspires fear and makes your brain think very quickly. I suppose it’s like what a daredevil must feel when he’s doing something very crazy. Now I shall start talking about crime prevention. There are many ways to prevent crime. You must always be careful. The first issue I’d like to bring up is preventing car theft. Many such thefts easily could be prevented by simply taking the time to roll up windows, lock doors and take the vehicle’s keys with you. Such simple procedures could eliminate the agonizing frustration many people face after realizing that their vehicle has been stolen. There are many simple ways to prevent car theft. Simple things such as, don’t leave the vehicle unattended for long periods of time or if parking at night, park in a well-lighted area where there is plenty of traffic. The same advice holds if leaving the vehicle unattended during the daytime for an extended period of time. Another idea is don’t put your name or address on a key ring. A thief may get hold of the keys and know just where to find your vehicle and home. If parking at home and you have a garage, use it. The vehicle is safer there than on the street. Mark the vehicle with the VIN number or another identifying mark or number. The number can be engraved in various places, such as door jams, the inside of the trunk, lid and the hood. Most numbers should be hidden. It doesn’t hurt, however, to put some numbers were potential thieves may see them. This informs potential thieves that precautions have been taken in identifying the vehicle. Such identification marks or numbers also will make it more difficult for the thief to dispose of the vehicle. And now, I shall go on to burglarizing. Many burglaries can be prevented simply by making sure that all windows and doors are locked before leaving home. Some other methods of preventing such crimes rests with an individual’s alertness and ability to recognize suspicious behaviour normally exhibited by potential burglars. Certain things should arouse your curiosity or that of your neighbour. One obvious clue concerning burglary is watching a stranger enter a neighbour’s house when it is known that the neighbour isn’t home.Another sign is seeing a stranger going door-to-door in your neighbourhood. If the individual tries to open the doors after knocking or enters the backyard, it’s time to call the authorities. Another sure sign of a possible burglary is if you see a person running while carrying something of value. Don’t laugh. Frequently, people seem to regard this behaviour as normal. Consequently, a burglar makes a clean getaway. Often times, repairman uniforms are worn by potential burglars hoping that such a disguise will stifle neighbourhood curiosity. Watch this person and if this individual pries open a door or enters the home in some other unnatural manner, call the authorities.We all have heard stories about coming home just in time to greet a burglar. If this happens, try to keep your composure. Excitement may panic the thief and result in a violent act. Simply ask the thief what he wants and give it to him. Chances are the burglar will run out of the house before you are finished asking the question. Even if he takes something, anything material is better than serious injury or death.Immediately after the burglar leaves, telephone your local law-enforcement agency. Don’t clean the place before police arrive. Such good housekeeping practices may disturb evidence important to the investigator. This next section shall talk about preventing fraud. It’s not always easy to spot con artists. They’re smart, extremely persuasive, and aggressive. They invade your home by telephone and mail, advertise in well-known newspapers and magazines, and come to your door. Most people think they’re too smart to fall for a scam. But con artists rob all kinds of people from investment counsellors and doctors to teenagers and elderly widows of billions of dollars every year. Never give a caller your credit card, phone card, Social Security, or bank account number over the phone. It’s illegal for telemarketers to ask for these numbers to verify a prize or gift. Also, beware of 900 numbers. People who call 900 numbers to request instant credit often end up with a booklet on how to establish credit or a list of banks offering low-interest credit cards. Such calls can end up costing $50 or more, but consumers rarely end up obtaining credit. Listen carefully to the name of a charity requesting money. Fraudulent charities often use names that sound like a reputable, well-known organization such as the American Cancer Association (instead of the American Cancer Society). Ask for a financial report before you donate; a reputable charity will always send you one. Investigate before you invest. Never make an investment with a stranger over the phone. Beware of promises that include the terms “get rich quick,” or “a once in a lifetime opportunity.”
You should always be a wise consumer. Don’t buy health products or treatments that include a promise for a quick and dramatic cure, imprecise and non-medical language, appeals to emotion instead of reason, or a single product that cures many ills. Quackery can delay an ill person from getting timely treatment. Look closely at offers that come in the mail. Con artists often use official-looking forms and bold graphics to lure victims. If you receive items in the mail that you didn’t order, you are under no obligation to pay for them – throw them out, return them, or keep them. An excellent way of preventing crime is to not do it yourself and to influence others. You should also try to raise street wise kids. What would your child do if he got lost at the shopping mall, a nice-looking stranger offered him/her a ride home, a friend dared him/her to drink some beer or smoke a joint or the babysitter wanted to play a secret game. A great thing about kids is their natural trust in people, especially in adults. It’s sometimes hard for parents to teach children to balance this trust with caution. But kids today need to know common-sense rules that can help keep them safe – and build the self-confidence they need to handle emergencies. The following will be some ways to make your kids streetwise. Be sure kids know to call 9-1-1 or “O” in emergencies and how to use a public phone. Practice making emergency calls with a make-believe phone. Tell them never to accept rides or gifts from someone they and you don’t know well. Teach children to go to a store clerk, security guard, or police officer for help if lost in a mall or store or on the street. Set a good example with your own actions – lock doors and windows and see who’s there before opening the door. Take time to listen carefully to your children’s fears and feelings about people or places that scare them or make them feel uneasy. Tell them to trust their instincts. Encourage your children to walk and play with friends, not alone. Tell them to avoid places that could be dangerous – vacant buildings, alleys, playgrounds or parks with broken equipment and litter. Teach children to settle arguments with words, not fists, and to walk away when others are arguing. Remind them that taunting and teasing can hurt friends and make enemies. Make sure your children are taking the safest routes to and from school, stores, and friends’ houses. Walk the routes together and point out places they could go for help. Check out daycare and after-school programs – look at certifications, staff qualifications, rules on parent permission for field trips, reputation in the community, parent participation, and policies on parent visits. When your child is home alone eave a phone number where you can be reached. Post it by the phone, along with numbers for a neighbour and emergencies – police and fire departments, paramedics, and the poison control centre. Tell your child not to let anyone into the home without your permission, and never to let a caller at the door or on the phone know there’s no adult home. Kids can always say their parents are busy and take a message. The following is to teach your child how to deal with sexual abuse. Let your child know that he or she can tell you anything, and that you’ll be supportive. Teach your child that no one, not even a teacher or a close relative, has the right to touch him or her in a way that feels uncomfortable, and that it’s okay to say no, get away, and tell a trusted adult. Tell your child to stay away from strangers who hang around playgrounds, public rest rooms, and schools. Be alert for changes in your child’s behaviour that could signal sexual abuse such as sudden secretiveness, withdrawal from activities, refusal to go to school, unexplained hostility toward a favourite babysitter or relative, or increase anxiety. Some physical signs of abuse include bed- wetting, loss of appetite, venereal disease, nightmares, and complaints of pain or irritation around the genitals. Crime prevention is very useful. If you want to be safe then follow these guidelines and you and your family will be very secure.