/ CPS Luther
Lt. Mike
Lt. Kevin
Minneapolis Police Department / 1st Precinct
Downtown, LoringPark, Elliot Park, Cedar Riverside and North Loop Neighborhoods
19 N. 4th Street, MinneapolisMN55401Fax: 370-3900

Personal Safety Tips

Protecting yourself
Be prepared to physically and psychologically protect yourself. A good way to prepare is to think ahead. Here is a list of suggestions to help you do that.

  • Think through how you usually react to crisis situations. Do you flee, freeze, or fight? Think of a few past examples to see if there is a pattern. You can change how you react by practicing a different response if needed.
  • Talk to others about ways to handle confrontations and rehearse alternatives.
  • There is no right or wrong way to react. Every situation is different. The best response depends on a combination of factors such as the location, the assailant, presence of weapons, your personal responses, etc.

Walking

  • Plan and use the safest and most direct route.
  • Choose well-lighted streets at night.
  • Stay alert to your surroundings; look confident and purposeful.
  • Become familiar with businesses that are open late.
  • If you feel uneasy, go directly to a place where there are other people.
  • Walk with a friend if possible, particularly at night.
  • Carry your keys and money in a pocket, not in a purse or wallet.

If you are being followed by someone in a car:
Turn around and walk quickly in the opposite direction. Try to obtain the license plate number and a description of the car and call the police.

If you are being followed by someone on foot:
Turn around to let the person know you see them. Immediately cross the street and walk or run toward a place where there are other people. Call the police or get someone else to call for you.

In cases involving verbal harassment:
Ignore it and walk away. If you are alone at a bus stop, proceed to the next stop if there are other people there.

Your car

  • Drive with car doors locked and windows closed.
  • Keep your wallet, purse, and valuables out of view while driving. Do not leave them next to you on the seat.
  • If you see another motorist in trouble, do not stop. Call the police for assistance.
  • Park in well-lighted areas. Look around before you get out of your car.
  • Put valuables and packages in the trunk before you arrive at your destination.
  • Always lock the doors, no matter how soon you plan to return.
  • When returning to your car, have the door key in hand. Look inside before you get in.

To be added to our crime alert list, send an e-mail request with your contact information (name, address, phone, fax, e-mail address) to us through our contact information above.

At home

  • If there is a stranger at your door, never indicate that you are home alone.
  • Do not open the door to anyone you do not know without verifying their identity. Identification cards can be slipped under the door.
  • If someone wants to use your phone, offer to make the call yourself while the person waits outside.
  • Never let a stranger through an apartment security entrance.
  • Do not give any information to "wrong number" callers. Ask, "What number are you calling?"
  • Never tell an unknown caller that you are home alone.
  • Verify the identity and intent of those calling for information about you by calling the person’s agency.
  • Hang up immediately if you receive unwanted calls. Do not say anything. If the calls continue, keep a record of the date, time, and content of each call. Then notify the police and the phone company.

Face-to-face confrontations

When faced with danger, trust yourself. Your single most effective weapon is your own judgment. Rely on it to choose what you think is the best response at the time, whether it is to:

  • run
  • stall
  • not resist
  • negotiate
/
  • verbally assert yourself
  • scream to attract attention
  • distract or divert the assailant
  • physically resist—fight off the attacker

Always evaluate your resources and options. Continue to assess the situation as it is occurring. If the first strategy chosen is not working, try another.

Tips on Personal Safety in Parking Lots and Ramps

Before you park:

  • Put valuables and packages in the trunk or out of sight before you arrive at your destination.
  • Drive with your car doors locked and windows closed.
  • Keep wallets and purses out of view while driving. Don't leave them next to you on the seat.
  • Park in a well-lighted area of the lot or ramp.
  • When you can, park your car as close as possible to an exit in a ramp, or near the attendant’s office in a lot.

When parking:

  • If you must leave your key with attendant, leave only your car key.
  • Check parking ramp or lot for security, video cameras, regular patrols, or escort services.

After you park:

  • Do not leave any valuables where they can be seen from outside the car.
  • Keep your parking stub.
  • Walk in the center of the ramp roadway. Display a confident and positive attitude.
  • If someone tries to break into your car, honk horn repeatedly.

When returning to your car:

  • If possible, return to your car with an escort or in a group.
  • Have your door key in hand.
  • Look around and inside your car before you unlock the door and get in.
  • Once inside the car, lock your door and start your engine. Start moving the car as soon as possible after you have become situated.
  • If you are being followed while driving, go to the closest police or fire station and honk your horn, or drive to an open business or gas station where you can safely call the police.

To be added to our crime alert list, send an e-mail request with your contact information (name, address, phone, fax, e-mail address) to us through our contact information above.

Tips on Preventing Auto Theft and Theft From Auto

If you must own a car, these are the most effective habits you can form to prevent being a victim of an auto-related crime:

  • Lock your car doors and close your windows.
  • Don’t leave valuables in your car. If you do, make sure they are kept out of plain sight—hide them under a blanket, or better yet, lock them in your trunk.
  • When transporting valuables, place them in the trunk before you get to the location where you intend to park. Don’t transfer them at the parking place in open view of other people.
  • If you have a garage, use it.
  • Don’t leave your garage door opener on the dashboard or front seat. Put it in your glove box, hide it, or take it with you.
  • Always park in a well-lighted area.
  • Use slide or portable mounts on add-on radios, citizens’ band radios (CBs), tape decks, and telephones. When you leave your car, put them in the trunk or take them with you.
  • Mark radios, CBs, tape decks, telephones, batteries, wheel covers, and tires with an Operation Identification number. If the stolen item is found later, the number can be traced back to you. To enroll in Operation ID, contact Community Crime Prevention/SAFE at 673-3204.
  • Remember: briefcases, sunglasses, clothing, keys, gym bags, and small change are all tempting to a thief.
  • Leave only the ignition key with the parking attendant in a commercial parking lot.
  • Keep your driver’s license and vehicle registration with you. Left with the car, the documents can be used by a thief to impersonate you when transferring the car’s ownership.
  • Car keys left at home (or at your business) should always be hidden. This will help prevent the theft of your vehicle if you are burglarized.
  • There are locks made for various marketable parts of cars. Battery locks, wheel locks, and special tape deck lock mounts can save these items plus any damage that may occur in the process of stealing them.
  • Install a locking gas tank cap to help prevent gasoline theft and limit a thief’s driving range to one tank.
  • Park the front wheel turned sharply to the right or left, making it difficult for the professional thief to tow your car away backwards.
  • With front wheel drive cars: When you park pull on the emergency brake and place your vehicle in Park. If you have a stick shift, pull on the emergency brake and shift into forward or reverse gear. All four wheels will be locked, making it difficult for a thief to tow your car.
  • Call 911 as soon as theft occurs.

Personal Safety in Your Car

  1. When driving your car, keep your doors locked and windows rolled up.
  2. If you stop in traffic or at a light, keep your car in drive and stay alert.
  3. Never pick up hitchhikers.
  4. Travel on well-lighted, busy streets. Avoid unsafe areas.
  5. Check your daily routes—look for safe places to stop, such as police or fire stations, all-night convenience stores, or gas stations.
  6. If you are being followed, go up to a public place and call 911. Don’t bring the problem home with you.

Anti-Theft Devices

  • Engine Disabler or Kill Switch: This well-hidden switch is installed so when turned on, it cuts power to your starter.
  • Armor Collar: A metal shield that locks around your steering column, which prevents tampering with the ignition switch or starting mechanism. This prevents "hot-wiring" a car because the area is inaccessible.
  • Hood Lock: A hood lock prevents a thief from stealing parts under the hood or disconnecting anti-theft devices.
  • Fuel Switch: When turned on, this mechanism stops the flow of fuel from the fuel pump so the car will only go a short distance and then quit.
  • Time Delay Switch: This is a power cut-off device which, unless a switch is turned off, will disable your car shortly after it's started.
  • Time Delay Ignition: This device will activate your ignition only after a preset time has passed. There is no way to activate the ignition before the preset time has elapsed.
  • Clutch and Brake Lock: This mechanism, used only on manual transmission vehicles, locks the brake pedal and the clutch pedal together so one can't be operated without the other.
  • Brake lock on Hydraulic System: This is a mechanism which, when activated, locks on all four brakes and makes it difficult to move or tow the car, even if the engine is started.
  • Alarm Systems: These can have many features. Some of these features are:

Keyless entry that enables you to open and lock the vehicle while arming or disarming the system. It could also allow you to open the trunk remotely.

Electric scan prevention stops the use of scanning tools to duplicate your remote’s signal.

Passive arming—if you forget to arm your alarm, it will arm itself automatically.

Built-in kill switch that disables the ignition.

Built-in fuel cut-off switch.

A loud horn or siren that can be activated from the remote. This acts as a panic alarm.

An impact sensor that sets off the alarm before the glass breaks.

A proximity sensor that warns people when they get too close to the vehicle.

A hood sensor that sounds the alarm if someone is tampering with the hood.

A remote notification device that tells owner if the alarm is going off.

An LED warning light that notifies a car thief that your alarm is activated.

Remote starting devices that will allow you to warm up your vehicle in the cold without the threat of someone stealing it.

More expensive alarm systems can include:

  • Remote control of the vehicle: If the driver does not enter a code before starting, the alarm company is alerted and tracks the vehicle. With this system, the police can shut off the vehicle so the thieves can’t escape. It also allows the owner to call the alarm company and shut off the car in case of a carjacking.
  • This technology allows the owner to call and have the door opened or the vehicle started anywhere in the world.
  • It will tell you where you are within 10 feet of your exact location and give you directions on how to get to your destination.

Before you buy a alarm system, contact your insurance company. With the right features, you may qualify for a discount.

Bar Locks attach to the steering wheel and block the ability to steer the vehicle. They can also stop the theft of the air bag. This tool can be enhanced with the use of a shield that makes it more difficult to cut the steering wheel and remove the bar lock.

Wheel Locks are an inexpensive way to prevent the theft of your vehicle’s wheels and tires.

Window Film can increase the strength of your side and rear windows.

Etching the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) into Your Window Glass is a way of keeping the vehicle from being stolen for the glass parts.

A Locking Gas Cap prevents thieves from stealing the gas or refilling the gas tank if they steal the vehicle. For added convenience, many of the locking gas caps with combination access also provide a locked place to hide the vehicle’s extra set of keys.

Helping Police Recover Your Stolen Vehicle

  1. Don’t keep your title, identification, or credit cards in your car.
  2. Know your license plate number and keep your Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) with your business records.
  3. Hide your business cards or address stickers with your name in places such as under the hood of your car and under the floor mats or seats. Also drop them in window channels inside the doors. Another option is etching your VIN number on one or more windows.
  4. Be sure to call 911 and report your car stolen as soon as possible. Also, be willing to assist in prosecution.

Spotting Stolen Automobiles

Most stolen cars are driven through the streets regularly—and thieves may be using them to commit other crimes. You can spot many of these cars and report them immediately to the police. Look for:

  • Vehicles being operated without ignition keys
  • Broken plastic or holes in side of steering column
  • Broken window glass.
  • Dirty tags on shiny cars, or new bolts on old license plates.
  • Persons offering to sell cars or accessories at less than their regular value.

Convenience Device

Credit Card Key:
This is a special plastic card that holds two keys (also plastic) which you can have cut to fit your door and ignition system. Carry it with you in case you lose your regular set of keys. Available at any lock and key shop.

For a personal safety presentation to your company, building, neighborhood association or other group, please call your Downtown Command SAFE Team via the contact information above.

To be added to our crime alert network, send an e-mail request with your contact information (name, address, phone, fax, e-mail address) to our contact information above.

Tips on Personal Safety in Parking Lots and Ramps

Before you park:

  • Put valuables and packages in the trunk or out of sight before you arrive at your destination.
  • Drive with your car doors locked and windows closed.
  • Keep your wallet and purse out of view while driving. Do not leave them next to you on the seat.
  • If you have the option, choose a lot or ramp that is well-lighted.
  • Park in a well-lighted area of the lot or ramp.
  • When you can, park your car as close as possible to an exit in a ramp, or near the attendant’s office in a lot.

When parking:

  • If you must leave your key with attendant, leave only your car key.
  • Check parking ramp or lot for security protection, such as video cameras, regular patrols, or escort services.

After you park:

  • Do not leave any valuables where they can be seen from outside the car.
  • Keep your parking stub.
  • Walk in the center of the ramp roadway. Display a confident and positive attitude.
  • If someone tries to break into your car, honk horn repeatedly.

When returning to your car:

  • If possible, return to your car with an escort or in a group.
  • Have your door key in hand.
  • Look around and inside your car before you unlock the door and get in.
  • Once inside the car, lock your door and start your engine. Start moving the car as soon as possible after you have become situated.
  • If you are being followed while driving, go to the closest police or fire station and honk your horn, or drive to an open business or gas station where you can safely call the police. Do not drive home or pull over to the side of the street.

For a personal safety presentation to your company, building, neighborhood association or other group, please call your Downtown Command SAFE Team via the contact information above.