SPPD Community Information

By Patty Lammers, St. Paul Police-Crime Prevention Coordinator

What’s a community member’s role in Crime Prevention?

Community members play an important role in crime prevention. This includes creating Neighborhood/Crime Watch groups, participating in National Night Out, and attending community meetings /events. This also includes community member’s most important role: reducing the opportunity to become a victim of crime.

Crime has three parts:

• The Desire of the person to commit the crime-we don’t have control over this
• The Ability of the person to commit the crime-we don’t have control over this
• The Opportunity of the person to commit the crime- we can influence this!

Reducing a persons’ opportunity means as community members we have to be smart about how we live our lives. What do I mean by this? It means taking simple actions to ensure you are not making yourself and your family an easy target.

When you are out and about

1. Don’t walk distracted- this means no cell phone talking or covering of ears with headphones. If you are distracted you can’t see people coming up to you to steal a purse, phone in your hand, etc
2. Don’t carry more cash on you then you are willing to lose
3. Only carry credit cards that you plan to use that day
4. Keep cash, cards, & id separate from wallet or purse
5. Don’t be a hero- give a robber what items they want-your safety is more important

In and Around Your Car

• Don’t leave anything of value in your car! This includes loose change.
• Always keep your car locked
• If you are out shopping put bags in trunk or where they are not seen
• If you are going to walk the lake put your purse or bags in trunk prior to going
• Walk with your keys in your hand ready to open doors
• Don’t leave your car running without being in it. If you are watching from a house window you will just get a good view of it being stolen

In and around your house

• Always lock your doors and windows- this includes doors into the house from an attached garage.
• Never leave out tools or equipment while you run back in the house
• Make sure your home has the correct locks and lighting. If you are not sure contact Western District Crime Prevention at 651-266-5455 to get a free premise survey.
• If you are going out of town use the St. Paul Police Vacation Watch Program to keep an eye on your home. To sign up call 651-266-5485.

Following these easy actions significantly reduces the opportunity for criminals to target you or your home.

Patty Lammers
St. Paul Police-Crime Prevention Coordinator
651-266-5455
Patricia.lammers@ci.stpaul.mn.us