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34
Tbe
PLAIN TRUTH
December 1970
a road slippery and increases stopping distance. For example,
it takes 43 feet to stop on dry pavement when driving at
20 mph. But if there is loosely packed snow on the road, it
will take 82 feet to stop at 20 mph. Ice increases the stopping
distancc to
217
feet.
•
Make Your Automobile a Hard Target
One automobi le is stolc:n every 36 seconds
1
The major
targets are late-model, sports-model and high-powered caes.
But auto thieves aren't always choosy. Unless you follow
these prccautions, your car may be stolcn!
1.
ALWAYS take your keys out ol the ignition ond
lock your
cor
when you leave it.
Roughly 80 percent of
all caes stolen were left unlocked - 50 percent still had the
keys in the ignitioo. These two mistakes are an open invita–
tion to the professional auto thief or for the "joyriding"
teen-ager.
Even if you leave your automobile for only a few
seconds - take your kcys with you and lock your cae! And
if a parking attendant requires you to leave the keys in the
ignition, leave
ONLY
the ignition key. Take all others with
you.
2 .
Place
clothes, luggoge, pockages
ond other
voluobles
out of
sight!
Never leave items lying in full view
on the seat. Your car may not be stolen, but it can receive
costly damage from someone trying to break in to steal what
he sces. Lock your valuable belongings in the trunk (boot,
if you're British).
It
is not even safe to carelessly leave your
money, checkbook or credit cards in the glove compartmcnt.
Take these items with you. No matter what you do, there is
always the chance that a thief may break into your cae. The
glove compartment will be the first place he'll look, and it
is easy to break open.
3.
Be especiolfy
coreful
where
you
pork!
Two
thirds of all auto thefts occur at night. So always park in a
well lighted arca when possible.
•
Safety Precautions For Your Children
With the current increase in crime, including child
molestations - your children need to learn safety precau–
tions. Be sure to
TEACH
your children the following impor–
tant principies:
l.
Never talk to a stranger who pulls up in a car -
man or woman !
2. Don't accept a ride, go for a walk, enter a house or
apartment with, or go anywherc with a stranger.
3. Never accept candy, toys, or gifts from a stranger.
4.
Any stranger who tries to take them for a ride, givc
them gifts, touch or harm them should be reported to the
nearcst policeman, school teachcr, school official, or parents
if they are near home.
5. Avoid taking shortcuts through deserted parks or
school grounds, woods, unfamiliar buildings or other poten–
tially dangerous areas.
6. Parents should always know where their children are
going, and whcn they will be back.
If
delayed for any reason,
children should always call borne.
7.
Teach your children to think of policemen as their
friends, and to contact thcm whcn help is needed.
•
Be Wary of Hitchhikers
and Hitchhiking
In 1969, hitchhikers wcre involved in over 35,000
known assaults, murders and thefts involving motorists and
their property. Whcther you drive an automobile or not,
practice the following principies:
1. NEVER Pick Up o Hitchhiker- Man
or
Womon!
Studies indicate that many hitchhikers have criminal
records. For instaoce, out of 100 hitchhikers questioned
by police in one city, only 16 did not have criminal
records. One was a former mental patient, two were wanted
for theft and the remaining 81 had criminal records for
murder, burglary, vagrancy, narcotics or sex offenses! Similar
questionings elsewhere show many hitchhikers with criminal
records. In fact, in Jive states it is
agaimt the law
to hitch–
hike. Many other states have sorne regt•latory laws concerning
hitchhiking.
If someone seems to be hitchhiking because of
cae
trouble, drive oo and call thc policc and they will check it out.
2.
NEVER Travel With
Car Doors
Unlocked
or Windows
Rolled Down!
Be sure your car doors are locked
BEFOR.E
you become
tied up in traffic or are stopped at a red l ight. An uoinvited
hitchhiker can enter your car, especially if the passenger side
is unlocked. Motorists caught in this situation have become
victims of robbery, assault and even murder.
3. NEVER Hitchhike ond NEVER Alfow
Your
Children
to
Hitchhike!
Oftcn, persons who pick up hitchhikers are criminals or
sex deviates. They drive the streets for the sole purpose of
picking up hitchhikers. Police files are full of cases of
assaults, molestations and rapes committed by such pcople.
•
Window Locks Foil House Burglars
In the United States burglary offenses are up
117%
over
1960 and are still climbing! lt's worth the added expense to
buy the best type of locking devices to adequately protect
your home. Follow thc suggestions given below to keep your
home secure and protected.
Windows oeed more than simple wíndow latches. Install
window locks on all windows for better protection against
intruders. This will require the breaking of the entire window
to gain illegal entrance to your house, something burglars are
less likely to do.
Visit }'OUr local locksmith for information on the best
possible locks for your personal situation. Also, w.rite for our
FREE
booklet,
Crime Can Be Stopped
...
Here'J How,
for
more detailed information about how to protect you and your
family from crime.