Below you will find many good tips on how to protect yourself from crime. If you have questions, please feel free to email crimestoppers or contact our crime prevention officer, Deputy A. L. Justice, at 1-828-452-6666 ext. 245.

There are many things that you can do around your home to decrease the likeliehood of being victimized by burglars or other predators.

Communication with your neighbors- This is among the most effective of methods of protecting what is yours. Neighbors are a valuable assett and are inexpensive.  Knowing a little about each other's habits, schedules, vehicles & visitors makes for a great way of looking out for one another.  Update each other on changes or special events and look out for your neighbors' homes while they are out of town.  Be prepared to call law enforcement if you see something suspicious. Try to observe any suspicious persons to see what they are doing while waiting for law enforcement and get as good a description as possible, to include the description of the person(s), clothing, vehicle, tag number, and anything else that might be useful to officers responding to the home in question. Never confront a suspicious person on your own, law enforcement officers are trained and equipped to deal with such situations and your physical intervention could needlessly endanger you and/or your family. In the vast majority of the burglaries that we investigate, the victims usually don't know their neighbors, can't see their neighbors and their neighbors can't see them because of visual obstructions, or the neighbors and/or victims are seasonal or vacation residents. If you have a specific problem, such as someone harrassing you or stalking you, whether it be by telephone, letter, or in person, make sure that your neighbors know as much as possible. They may see this person around your house one day and save your life. Neighborhood watch programs are a great thing to have in any community. If you would like to know more about starting one where you live, contact the law enforcement agency that serves you.  (inside city/town limits will be the city or town police and anywhere else will be served by the Sheriff's office) Even if you elect not to initiate a community watch, at least make an effort to communicate with your neighbors.

Locking doors and windows- It would probably amaze the average person to sit down and look through our reports to see how many of the homes that have been burglarized were not locked, or were inadequately locked. Inexpensive or home crafted devices to secure windows are a must. Dead bolt locks are the best locking device for doors and double cylinder dead bolts (key required on both sides) are ideal for doors where there are windows near the lock .

Don't send out signals telling strangers that you are gone- When you are away from home, arrange to either suspend delivery of mail and newspapers or have a neighbor or relative pick them up so that they don't accumulate and let everyone know that no-body's home. Timers on lights and radios also help to make would-be thieves wary. If you are leaving a vehicle while you are gone, have someone move it to different spots in the driveway occasionally to make it appear that the vehicle is being used. If you have a garage, it may serve you better to leave the vehicle outside where it can be seen and hopefully discourage those who would come around your house.

Physical barriers- Landscaping features around your home can play a vital role in preventing burglaries. Houses that are laid out in such a way as to prohibit vehicle access to areas not visible from near-by roadways are less likely to be burglarized. Fences, trees, fountains, and anything else that would keep someone from secluding their vehicle from the public eye are well worth the expense. Stiff, scratchy shrubbery around ground level windows are always a good natural barricade.

Alarm systems- Alarm systems are the A#1 way to help prevent your home from being burglarized and we can't say enough about them. More and more alarm companies are offering inexpensive installation and monitoring fees for a service that is well above the value of the money spent. Alarms that aren't monitored, but audible to your neighbors are helpful if your neighbors know what to do when your alarm goes off. Make sure to have a "key holder" (friend, neighbor, or family member with a key) that can be contacted by your alarm company to meet with law enforcment in the event that someone has triggered your alarm system. If you have an "audible only" alarm, try to designate a neighbor that you trust to be your key holder and ideally the reportee (person to call law enforcement). The more neighbors that you can include in this, the more likely it is that you will have someone available when you are gone. Silent alarms are not reccomended for homes. The most effective aspect of an alarm system is the detturent that they provide, either by discouraging the break-in to begin with, or by scaring burglars away when they trigger an alarm. In the event that a silent alarm was activated, the thieves may get everything that they came for and be long gone before law enforcement arrive. Bear in mind that response time can be slower if officers are tied up on more serious calls or aren't near-by at the time of the call. Remote locations and rugged terrain also contribute greatly to reduced response time. This is why detturence is the most important service that an alarm provides.

Don't show strangers what you have inside- Subtle details tell thieves things that they want to know. Leaving boxes and wrappers outside for trash collection or storage tells everyone what you have. Dispose of such items a few at a time so as to draw less attention to yourself or preferably deposit such items at one of the public dumpsters provided to the citizens of Haywood County.

Weapons in the home- Weapons are an option that many home owners elect when considering home protection. There are strong pro & con arguments in regards to weapons and the decision to possess one should not be taken lightly. A weapon may be used against its owner. If you come home to find someone in your home, they may have the gun that you left hidden in the house. Hesitation in employing force when handling a firearm can lead to the aggressor gaining control of your weapon. Inadequate training in the handling and use of firearms can make for tradgedy. Hitting an unintended target can change the future of many people in less than a heart-beat. Leaving a firearm out where a child can get access to it is also a recipe for disaster. Children have a miraculous way of finding just about anything. If you own a firearm, please keep it secured in a locker or with a locking device so that any children that live in or visit your house can not unintentionally gain access to it. N.C. now has strong criminal laws that apply to negligence on the part of gun owners when a child is hurt or killed in such instances.  Several manufacturers distribute a wide variety of chemical aerosol sprays that are highly effective for the purpose of self defense. These items can usually be carried legally in most locations and are not likely to cause death or serious injury to the victim if it were to fall in the wrong hands.

Exterior lighting- darkness is the criminal's friend. While most of the burglaries in Haywood County are committed on houses that are empty during the day, the less common entries made during the hours of darkness are more frightening. Motion sensing lights are a great asset to security, providing not only light, but drawing attention to the presence of movement within a certain perimiter.

Keep track of service providers and visitors- If you are having work done on your home, document the name of your contractor and their employees and when they did their work. Also keep track of names and information about people that visit your home, such as friends that your children might have home or sales people.

Mark and record your household goods- Engraving your drivers license number on appliances, electronics, and other valuables, (beginning with the state abbreviation-i.e. NC1234567) will not only be an identifying mark on the item, but will help law enforcement identify and locate the owner in the event that it is recovered. Keeping a list of your items, model & serial numbers, and their value will assist law enforcement in recovering your belongings as well. If a make, model, and serial number is available, the item can be entered nation wide as stolen and is more likely to lead to the recovery of the item and the arrest and prosecution of the offenders. A good place to keep such a list is either in a safe deposit box or in fire-proof container in a well hidden place. This list could also help you in the event of fire or other disaster.

One of the most dangerous environments that the average person subjects themselves to is one that most of us find ourselves in at least twice a day, our cars. Take steps to ensure your safety while getting to your car and on the road.

Avoid confrontations with angry or aggressive motorists- We've all seen them, the guys that own the road. They're real tough guys with a 300lb chip on their shoulder and they like to drive 150mph. They like confrontations and get a great deal of satisfaction from intimidating others. While these people are annoying and often dangerous, don't participate in any contests with them. Avoid making eye contact with other motorists travelling in the same direction that you are. Direct eye contact is a sign of aggression in just about every animal on the face of this planet, and that includes people. If someone starts badgering you on the roadway, slow down and let them go. Usually if you slow down enough they will lose interest and move on. If someone does start antagonizing you by swerving at you, following you, getting in front of you and slamming on the brakes, throwing things at you, or even shooting at you, do your best to operate you vehicle in such a manner as to avoid hitting other motorists or pedestrians while you are trying to avoid this person. Make your way to a public place that is well lit and lay down on the horn. People will take notice and this is usually discouraging to Mr MotorHead. After doing this, stay there and call for law enforcement to meet you there. Your new friend may be waiting just out of sight.

Free cellular service- If you possess a cellular phone, whether you have service or not, you can still dial 911. This call is free to everyone and is accessible even if you haven't paid your cell phone bill in 5 years. If an emergency arises, call 911 and stay on the line with them. They will probably ask you such questions as what is your name, what is the nature of your problem, what road your are on, where you are located, your direction of travel, description of any agressors or their vehicles, description of your vehicle, and any other questions that may be relevant. Don't hang up unless instructed to do so and continue to re-dial if you lose the phone signal until you regain contact.

Make family or friends aware of unscheduled trips- This is especially important if travelling at night or on long trips. Make sure that someone knows where you are going, when you are supposed to get there, which vehicle you are driving and what route you will be taking. In the event that something happens to cause a substantial, unexplained delay, this information could help to locate you. Make sure to contact this person or persons to advise them of any unexpected delays and where you may be laid over

Know what to do in the event of a break-down- Be familiar with your vehicle and how to correct minor malfunctions, such as a flat tire, ruptured coolant hose, or broken belt. Have some essential tools and materials available, especially if travelling on uninhabited strips of roadway. Keep some flares and/or emergency lighting handy to increase your safety and ability to affect repairs. Don't accept rides with strangers. There are a great deal of charitable citizens who are happy to help, but you have no way of knowing when you meet someone who has other motives. If someone stops to assist, give them a name and phone number to call for a friend or family member and ask them to call from the nearest phone to advise them of your situation and location. Some people might lure you out of the car under the pretense of offering you assistance, but it is better to remain inside the car and ask them to make the call, handing the name/number through a partially opened window and keeping the doors locked. If for some reason you need to get away from someone that you feel poses a threat to you (such as they have a weapon or are threatening or attempting to gain forcible entry of your vehicle), don't hesitate to run your car on a flat tire or over-heated engine. Stay out of the main flow of traffic if at all possible and never make any maneuvers to cause an accident, but your life is more important than a wheel getting chewed up on a flat tire or your engine being ruined from extreme heat. That little bit that you squeeze out of your car may be what saves your life.

Be aware of your surroundings- Be familiar with the areas that you drive or park in. Pay special attention to everyone and everything around you, especially at intersections or when you have to come to a stop. Know the lay out of the area you are travelling in and alternate routes in case you are obstructed by something/someone suspicious. Don't stop to help stranded motorists or pedestrians yourself. You can call 911 at your earliest, safest convenience and still be doing that person as big a favor as if you had stopped for them yourself. Park only in well lit areas, walk in groups with friends or family if possible, and once again, stay alert to what and who is around you. Keeping a personal alarm or chemical aerosol spray in your hand or otherwise ready to use is always a good idea. Have your car keys ready so that you can get into your car quickly, looking at the rear floor board and cargo areas to see if anyone or anything may be in your vehicle before you get in, and lock the doors immediately after getting in. If your car has been broken into or tampered with to prevent you from getting into it with your key, get back to a secure location as quickly as possible and be on red-alert, looking for anyone lurking in concealed areas or that might approach you. Call law enforcment immediately. If there has been any type of disturbing activity in the area where you park your vehicle (such as break-ins, muggings, etc) take advantage of an escort by security personnel where they are available.

Business owners are victimized by a large percentage of property crimes. Taking some simple measures to protect your investment can save a great deal of money and lost time.

One of the best ways to protect yourself as a business owner is to know who you have working for you.  You NEED to know what kind of past someone has.  A good way to do this is to do a background check on employees that you intend to hire PRIOR to them starting work for you.  Criminal records are public information and can be obtained through the Clerk of Superior Court's Office at the Haywood County Court House (there may be a small cost associated with getting criminal records).  There is also another way to get criminal record checks online at http://www.123nc.com .  There is a fee associated with obtaining criminal records at this site.  Checking a prospective employee's references and prior employers can be equally as important.  Many employers, such as day care, government agencies, and some medical services providers, are required by law to conduct back ground checks.  While most employers are not required to take these measures, they are always a good idea.  

The use of simple alarm and surveillance systems is, once again, the best detturrent of crime, everyone knowing how the ounce of prevention stacks up against the pound of cure. Security systems are priced better than ever and are the most effective measure that we as law enforcement officers have seen. Such expenses are often tax deductible as well. Make sure that everyone is aware that you have a security system by posting signs in highly visible places. Also, be sure that your alarm company has a name and phone number of a key holder to contact in the event your alarm is triggered.

Contruction and other job sites- Literally tens of thousands of dollars worth of tools are stolen every year off of construction sites here in Haywood county. Put forth the few minutes of extra effort to secure or remove your tools at the end of every day. Even large tools, such as table saws, are subject to theft and are often taken. Document who your sub-contractors are and the names of people that work for you and your sub-contractors and when they did their work. Often times thieves are either familiar with the job site because they have worked there or because they know someone who does presently or has in the past. Try to make the job site secure as soon as it is completed to the point that you can lock it. Be very conservative about who you give keys to, making sure that they understand not to be making copies or loaning the keys to anyone. Mark all tools with your business name or other distinguishing mark and keep a record of tools & equipment, as well as their model & serial numbers.

Disgruntled employees- In the event that there is a bitter event involving an employee, whether they are fired or not, document the event and any relevant information. If there is a threat or possibility of violence, contact law enforcement right away. Failure to take proper precautions when there is a possibility of an employee/former employee committing an act of violence, and where the employer is or reasonably should be aware of such a possibility, can result in a large amount of legal liabilities. It may become necessary in some instances to go so far as to implement further security precautions such as locks or security officers.