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Crime Prevention Tips
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Megan's Law:
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The Cerritos
Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center has received many
inquiries about Megan’s Law, which mandates the release of
information necessary to protect the public from high risk sex
offenders.
In conjunction with the Los
Angeles County Sheriff’s Department and the California
Department of Justice (DOJ), the Cerritos Sheriff’s
Station/Community Safety Center offers the following information
about Megan’s Law.
Megan’s Law was created in 1996 after a
7-year-old New Jersey girl was molested and murdered by a known
child molester that had moved in across the street from her
home. Information on his background was not made available to
those in the area. In response to this event, Megan’s parents
successfully initiated a drive to publish the criminal history
of sex offenders.
California has long required individuals
convicted of certain crimes to register with the local law
enforcement agency where they reside. As a result of Megan’s
Law, the California DOJ now maintains a database of dangerous
sex offenders that is accessible to the public. The purpose of
Megan’s Law is to inform the public, not to punish the
registrant. Some of the information made available includes the
name, sex, age, physical description, photo, crimes committed
resulting in registration, county of residence and zip code of
the offender. California’s Megan’s Law statute prohibits using
the information obtained to harass or commit any crime against
the offender.
There are three categories of sex offenders
included in the database. The lowest level, entitled "Other,"
cannot be released to the general public. This level involves
offenders convicted of a single misdemeanor (or lesser) sex
crime. The next level is labeled "Serious" and includes
individuals that have been convicted of a single felony sex
offense. The most critical level is called "High Risk." These
offenders have been convicted of at least one violent sex crime
and a combination of other offenses.
Three methods currently exist for residents of
Cerritos to obtain information on sex offenders. The County of
Los Angeles maintains records on its website at
http://gismap.co.la.ca.us/SOLS/viewer.
htm that can be accessed by entering the zip code for the
area to be searched. This site provides only general locations
of offenders. Neighboring Orange County has just initiated its
own database that can be found on the County’s homepage at
www.oc.ca.gov. It is
currently restricted to only a few cities and unincorporated
areas.
You may check to determine if a particular sex
offender is a "high risk" or "serious" registrant by calling the
California Sex Offender Information Line at 1-900-448-3000. This
service allows you to inquire about two names, however, there is
a $10 fee to do so.
You can also visit the Cerritos Sheriff’s
Station/Community Safety Center 24 hours a day and view the
information on the CD-ROM located at the desk area. There is a
15 minute limit on access and you may not make copies of the
records. You must be 18 years of age or accompanied by a parent
or legal guardian, and a valid California driver’s license or
identification card must be presented. You must also sign a
statement attesting that you are not a registered sex offender,
that you understand the information viewed is intended for
public protection and that you are aware that it is illegal to
use the information to harass, discriminate or commit any crime
against the registrant. |
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Protecting Children From Abductions:
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Child abductions
have received extensive media coverage during the past year. In
light of these recent cases, it is important for parents to be
aware of the dangers that exist and to know how to protect their
children.
In conjunction with
the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children and its
California Branch, the Crime Prevention Unit at the Cerritos
Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center offers parents four
terms to familiarize themselves with to help protect their
children: Situations, Actions, Supervision and Communication.
Situations:
Situations refer to the
circumstances associated with unsolicited contact. The term
“stranger” should not be emphasized to children because it
implies that there is an oddity about a dangerous person that
makes them stand out. Children could have a great deal of
difficulty understanding this concept, and could also become
vulnerable when approached by a “normal looking” person.
There is no real
need for any adult to solicit the assistance of a child in
solving a particular problem such as locating a lost pet or
asking for directions. Children should never approach a vehicle
or a pedestrian in response to such requests, or for any reason.
They should not accept food or gifts from someone other than a
trusted adult or friend.
Children should also
be taught to be wary of an adult telling them that his or her
parents sent the person to take them to the parents for some
urgent situation. These are just a few examples of situations to
be avoided.
Actions:
Actions refer to the suggestions
or actual physical contact made during these situations. Any
discussion of secrets or other information that a child is told
cannot be shared with a parent is unacceptable.
A child must be
leery of any “touching.” An area of the body normally covered by
a bathing suit is inappropriate to touch or be touched.
Youngsters should not fear saying no to anything that makes them
uncomfortable. Apprehension in certain circumstances is a
positive emotion. If a child is approached in a threatening or
annoying manner, the more noise that can be made to attract
attention, the better.
Supervision:
Supervision is crucial to
the safety of your children, and a responsibility to be shared
by all parents and guardians. Set boundaries regarding the
places that they can go and the things that they may do. Know
where they are at all times and be familiar with their friends
and daily activities. Monitor their Internet use and the content
accessed.
A trusted adult
should always supervise a child in a public place at all times.
If you are not physically with your child on an outing, you
should be notified immediately if there is any change in plans.
Be cautious about babysitters and alert for anyone showing an
unusual amount of attention to your child or providing them with
gifts.
Communication:
Communication can
strengthen your child's awareness and allow you to learn more
about activities that he or she is engaging in. Encourage
children to use their instincts in determining what may be
inappropriate behavior, and listen to what they have to say.
Watch for any changes in your child both physically and
emotionally. Reinforce the importance of the “buddy system,” and
the absolute need for them to check in with you on a regular
basis. If they become lost in a public place, they should know
not to continue roaming around, but rather to locate an employee
or law enforcement officer and tell them what has happened.
Assure your children
that their safety is your main concern and that it requires
trust and a dialogue. There is nothing that your children should
feel uncomfortable talking to you about.
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Vehicle Theft and Burglary Prevention:
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The City's Community Safety
Division has reported an increase of vehicle thefts and
burglaries in Cerritos and surrounding cities in recent
months.
Safety officials also reported Honda and Toyota vehicles
accounted for 23 of the 25 most frequently stolen cars in
California. Thefts of Acura vehicles for parts is also
increasing.
Vehicle thefts have increased in residential areas. Cerritos
Sheriff's deputies recommend the use of a steering wheel
locking device to deter thefts.
Also recommended are "kill switches" or starter bypass
switches. A kill switch prevents electrical current from
reaching the vehicle's coil or carburetor, and can only be
deactivated by using a hidden switch. Before ordering the
installation of a kill switch, check your vehicle's warranty
policy to ensure it will not be a problem. If there is a
warranty problem with kill switches, consider using a starter
bypass switch to accomplish the same result. Use of a fuel
switch will interrupt the flow of gas or diesel fuel, and
prevent the car from being driven away.
Cerritos Sheriff's deputies also said tracking devices are
useful in locating stolen vehicles. Global positioning
satellite systems that are available for a monthly or annual
fee can pinpoint the location of your car. Other systems allow
law enforcement to directly track the car's movement.
If you plan to leave your auto outside and unattended for a
period of time, consider removing the coil or distributor cap.
Cerritos Sheriff's deputies have reported the main cause of
vehicle burglaries is the placement of visible items within
the passenger compartment. Laptop computers, cellular phones,
purses, briefcases and camera equipment are some of the most
frequently stolen items. This is attributed to how easily the
property can be seen by potential thieves from outside of the
vehicle.
High-end car stereo components are also frequent targets and
may be more difficult to protect. Removable units or locking
faceplates can reduce the likelihood of theft.
The best security against both vehicle theft and burglary at
your residence is to lock your car in your garage.
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Swimming Pool Safety Saves Lives:
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With the coming summer heat, swimming pool hazards will soon
become a risk to the well being and safety of young children.
Every year, children drown or become physically incapacitated
due to injuries received in swimming pool accidents.
To prevent an
accident from happening in your pool, the following steps
should be followed, some as directed by state laws and
municipal ordinances, others as dictated by common sense:
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All pools must
have a 6-foot tall fence surrounding the pool equipped with
self-latching, spring activated gates.
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No child, no
matter how proficient a swimmer, should be left unattended.
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The adult left
in charge of watching children in or around a swimming pool
should be a proficient swimmer.
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Do not allow
anyone to dive head first into the shallow end of the pool.
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If your pool is
equipped with a diving board, do not allow swimmers to
engage in contests to dive the farthest out in the pool. The
rise between the deep end and the shallow end of the pool
bottom is steep. The possibility of diving headfirst into
the rise of the pool bottom is real, resulting in paralyzing
injuries or drowning.
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The storage of
pool chemicals should be in a secure, ventilated area, away
from the reach of children.
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If your pool
cleaning and/or maintenance is done by a contracted pool
cleaner, make sure that the gate/fence perimeter is secure
after they leave.
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Protect Your Identity From Theft:
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Identity
theft has become a major concern to law enforcement throughout
the United States. It is the fastest growing crime and affects
more than 500,000 new victims each year.
Identity theft, or identity
fraud, is the taking of a victim’s identity to obtain credit
cards from banks and retailers, steal money from a victim’s
existing account(s), apply for loans, establish accounts with
utility companies, rent an apartment, file bankruptcy, or obtain
a job. Thousands of dollars can be stolen by these methods
without the victim becoming aware of the problem for months or
even years.
The imposter
obtains the victim’s social security card number, date of birth,
and other identification data such as his or her address and
phone number. Armed with this information, the thief can obtain
a fictitious driver’s license, apply for instant credit, or pose
as the victim through mail transactions. Often the criminal will
claim that he or she had just moved, and will provide a
different address. All of this information is in the victim’s
name. Once the first account is opened, credit is used to the
limit, and funds are drained from all possible sources.
The identity
thief can get a victim’s information from a variety of sources.
Some of these include the victim’s doctor, lawyer, school,
health insurance carrier, and many other places including a home
mailbox. These thieves are known to even go through trash to
locate any document that may have been thrown away such as a
utility bill, credit card slip, or especially a credit card
offer that only requires a phone call or reply to open an
account.
The National
Crime Prevention Council advises that you consider the following
points to ensure that this does not happen to you:
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Never give
out personal information over the phone, through the mail, or
over the Internet unless you are the one that initiated the
contact and are aware of the party that you are dealing with.
Be cautious of those posing as bank representatives, credit
card company personnel, and even governmental officials that
are seeking this personal information from you. It never hurts
to get their number to verify validity and call them back.
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Obtain and use a paper shredder. Make sure that
you use it on any personal document that you would normally
place into your trash.
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Avoid using your mother’s maiden name, your
date of birth, social security number, or a similar series of
numbers as any form of a password. These identifying factors
can easily be obtained from records and used against you.
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Never carry your social security card,
passport, birth certificate, or other identifying papers
unless it is absolutely necessary. Also, limit the amount of
credit cards that you possess at any given time.
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Never put your social security card number on
checks or credit card receipts. If the business requests your
social security card number, give them an alternate number and
explain the reason. If a government agency requests your
social security card number, there must be a privacy notice
accompanying the request.
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Avoid putting telephone numbers on checks.
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Be careful when you use ATM and phone cards.
Someone may be looking over your shoulder to get your PIN, and
ultimately be able to gain access to your account.
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Make a list of all of your credit card account
numbers and bank account numbers with the customer service
number available for each one, and store this list in a safe
place.
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When you order a new credit card, or are due to
receive a replacement for an expired card, watch the calendar
to make sure that you get the card(s) within a reasonable
amount of time. If the card does not arrive when expected,
call the credit card grantor immediately to find out if the
card had been sent, and make sure that the address was not
changed to another location.
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Do not put your credit card number on the
Internet unless it has been encrypted on a secure site.
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Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up
with the creditor if a bill does not arrive on time. A missing
credit card bill could indicate that a thief that has changed
the address on the account and is using your identity.
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Consider canceling all credit cards that you
have not used in the past six months. Open credit is a prime
target.
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Order your credit report at least twice a year.
Reports should be obtained from all three major sources. These
are:
Equifax at (800) 685-1111,
Experian at (888) EXPERIAN
(397-3742), and
TransUnion at
(800) 680-7293.
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Correct all mistakes on your credit report in
writing. Send letters with a request to be notified of receipt
of the corrections. Identify the problem item by item and send
with a copy of the credit report back to the credit-reporting
agency. You should hear from the agency within 30 days.
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To have your name taken off of
direct mail lists, write to the Direct Marketing Association,
Mail preference Service, PO Box 9008, Farmingdale, NY 11735.
IF YOU BECOME
A VICTIM OF IDENTITY THEFT, DO NOT HESITATE TO CALL THE CERRITOS
SHERIFF’S STATION AT (562) 860-0044.
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