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More safety tips
Here are a few tips to make a car thief's job
more difficult
1. Lock it or lose it
Always close the windows, lock the doors and pocket the
key.
2. Hide valuables
Don't leave valuables in the car. If it is unavoidable, store
valuables out of sight locked in the trunk.
3. Don't hide keys
Do not hide a second set of keys in or on your vehicle
4. Park safely
Park in well lit, well travelled areas.
5. Identify stereos
Stereos are prime targets for thieves. Engrave your
licence number on them. Install them with removable
brackets, allowing you to take them out and lock them in
the trunk. Also keep a record of the serial numbers of
stereo systems.
6. Security systems
Equip your vehicle with a security system, such as:
An electronic disabling device
A steering wheel locking device
A vehicle alarm
A hood locking device
7. Protect your papers
Keep your licence and vehicle registration with you, in
your wallet or purse.
8. Turn it off
Never leave your vehicle unattended and running - even
for a minute!
9. Report suspicious activity
If you see suspicious persons in or around motor
vehicles, call the police. Call Hampstead Public Safety at
369-8250 when it is not an emergency. Call 9-1-1 in
emergencies only: life and death situations, injury
accidents, or crimes in progress.
How to protect your home
Most burglaries can be prevented by the use of good
locks, a few tools and simple precautions.
While no home can be made totally burglar-proof, people
need not live with undue fear. Everyone can take
effective and practical steps to make their homes more
secure.
If the doors and windows of your home are locked and
the doors are strong enough to resist a quick kick, the
culprit will probably look for an easier target.
Be systematic; look for the obvious.
BEGIN WITH THESE STEPS:
Report the following to the police:
Unusual noises, such as someone screaming for help.
Vehicles moving slowly and randomly through the
neighbourhood.
A stranger running or walking randomly through the
neighbourhood.
A stranger sitting in a car or stopping to talk to a child.
Furniture being removed from homes when the owners are
on vacation or at work.
Abandoned cars.
A stranger looking into homes or parked cars.
Unusual activities of pets such as the repeated barking of a
dog that is normally quiet.
Someone going door to door soliciting who refuses to
provide proper identification.
Many times you will see homes
 with open doors, front doors with keys left in the locks, or a
neighbour's car with the trunk left open. In most situations, a
simple call to your neighbour will settle the matter. Many
times, people forget to close their doors or remove their keys
from door locks if they were carrying groceries or packages
into their homes.
Many people believe that the police do not want to be called
if the caller is merely suspicious. This is not true. When in
doubt -- CALL THE POLICE.
NON-EMERGENCY 514-369-8250 (for information or
to report suspicious activity)
EMERGENCY 9-1-1 (life threatening, crime in
progress, or injury accident)
If your car breaks down:
Try to coast off the road to the shoulder so you and your
car will not be hit by following traffic, even if you have to
drive on a flat tire. The tire is replaceable.
Turn on your emergency flashers. Use flares or other
devices to warn others.
Use a pay phone or emergency roadside phone if is one
nearby at a safe location. If not, stay in your locked car
and wait for help. Remember to keep a few quarters with
you for pay phones.
Consider carrying a cellular phone when you are out.
Remain in your car even if a motorist stops to help you.
Ask anyone offering assistance to get help for you. If
you see a stranded motorist, don't stop. Drive to a safe
location and call for help.