Purse Snatching and Pick Pocketing

Avoid Purse Snatching
When faced with any theft situation remember, your goal is to avoid being injured! There is nothing in your purse worth serious injury of death.

• Is it absolutely necessary to carry a purse at all times?  A wallet or credit card in a pocket would be less tempting.
• Carry only the amount of cash or credit cards that you need.
• Eliminate spare keys from purse.
• Carry purse or shoulder bag in front of you and close to your body.
• Avoid having your purse shoulder straps around your neck or looped around your wrist.
• Keep your purse on your lap when dining or at meetings.
• In the supermarket, do not leave your purse in the shopping cart. Remember: out-of-sight, out-of-mind, "out-of-purse". 
• Avoid displaying valuables such as jewelry or large sums of money.
• Zip or close purse securely to avoid purses pickpockets.
• Be aware of where you are and where you are going at all times.  Do not go into a potentially dangerous area or situation.
• Report suspicious people or suspicious cars.
• “Follow-home strong-arm robberies”.  As you drive home day or night, look for potential danger before entering your driveway.  Walkways, doorways, and driveways should be well lit around your home.
• Do not enter your driveway if a suspicious vehicle has followed you.  Go to the nearest safe location (a gas station or an area where there are people) and call the police.
• If you are confronted in your driveway, remain in your locked car with the windows up and blow your horn.  The distance from your car to your front door is a “No Man's Land.” When attacked, if you are going to be knocked down, sit down.
• Don't chase a thief - it could be an ambush!
• Call 911