Automatic Teller Machines (ATMs) have revolutionized banking allowing customers to do their banking 24 hours a day. They also, however, have been a great help for thieves looking for quick cash. A would-be robber will obviously know an individual using an ATM will usually leave the machine with cash money in their possession.

These safety tips focus on some of the things to be aware of when you use your ATM.

1. Memorize Your Pin: Never write your Personal Identification Number (PIN) on your card or on a piece of paper you store in your wallet. If your card or your wallet were stolen, the thief would have your PIN.
2. Use the ATM During Daylight Hours: According to the Bank Administration Institute, the most dangerous hours for ATM crime are from 7:00 p.m. until midnight, when approximately 40% of ATM-related crimes occur.
3. Protect Your Privacy: Stand between the ATM and anyone waiting to use the ATM so others cannot see your PIN or the transaction amount.
4. Be Prepared: Minimize the time spent at the ATM by having your card ready and all forms filled out in advance. When your transaction is complete, pocket your card and cash immediately. Count your cash later in the safety of your locked car or home.
5. Drive-Up ATMs: Make sure the drive-up ATM is well lighted and that all landscape vegetation is trimmed to remove any area of concealment. Remember to keep the passenger windows closed, doors locked and the car engine running.
6. Stay Alert: Be aware of your surroundings, before, during and after you use the ATM. Postpone transactions if any circumstances cause you to be apprehensive about your safety.

7. Treat Your ATM Card Like Cash: Guard your ATM/Debit card as carefully as cash, checks and credit cards.

Always use common sense when using an ATM. These safety tips are a start, but the best advice is simply not to use an ATM if you feel at all uncomfortable doing so.

If you have any further questions, or to request a more detailed list of ATM Safety Tips, please call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.

We are becoming more and more reliant on computers and the internet with everything from banking and paying bills to shopping and entertainment. With this, you should be aware of some basic tips and information on how to better protect yourself online.

Malware and Viruses

Malicious code, also called malware, and viruses are becoming quite common. The purpose of this type of attack can range from mischief to identity theft. There is nothing that will protect you 100%, but here are some things that you can do to reduce your risks and be more aware:

1. Anti-Virus Software: Make sure that you are running an Anti-Virus software on your Windows based computer. Microsoft offers a free Anti-Virus program call Microsoft Security Essentials. No matter what program you use, make sure it’s always up to date to get its maximum protection.
2. Anti-Malware Software: There is a free program call Malwarebytes Anti-Malware that is available for Windows-based computers. This can be used to scan for malicious software. The free version will scan and clean known malicious software.
3. Program Updates: Regardless of your Operating System, always keep it up to date with patches. All the major OS providers consistently release updates to plug known holes and issues, make sure you download and install these regularly.
4. Mail Attachments and Links: Be cautious of any email that you do not expect. A common way that viruses spread is through a computer becoming infected and automatically emailing the virus to everyone in someone’s address book. So, even if you receive an email from someone that you know, if there’s a weird attachment or an attachment or link that you weren’t expecting to receive, it could be malicious. A good habit is to stay away from anything that you are not expecting.
5. Websites: Recently a large number of viruses have spread through small websites. These are generally smaller market websites that are not well protected against viruses. Once these get infected, they can infect everyone that visits them. To avoid this, try to stay away from unknown sites while on the internet. Also, if you visit a site and receive a popup message stating that you could be infected, do not click on the scan now link. Close all web browsers without clicking in the window and reboot your computer. Authorizing a scan will install a virus. If you receive a pop up message that is asking you to purchase a virus scanner or removal tool, do not purchase- it’s not legitimate.
6. Social Networking: Be cautious of shared content on large social networking sites. Currently, Facebook.com is the number 1 source for viruses being transmitted. Stay away from content that you do not know or expect.

Phishing

Phishing attacks use email or malicious websites to solicit personal information by posing themselves as a trustworthy source. These attacks can range from an email claiming to be your mail provider and asking for your username and password to update their records to a credit card company claiming that there has been an attempt to hack your account and you need to click a link and provide your Social Security Number. These fraudulent emails spoof the e-mail address.

This means that they appear to be from well-known companies or addresses. The from field can be altered to look like it was sent from any e-mail address. Here are a few ways to avoid being a victim:

1. Control the communication: Be suspicious of unsolicited phone calls and email messages. If you are in doubt, look up legitimate contact information for that company, and call them back. A common tactic is a phone call telling you that your credit card payment is late or your social security number is compromised.  Even if your credit card payment is late, hang up and call the provider with a known phone number.  If you didn't initiate the communication, you do not know with whom you are speaking.
2. Personal Info: Do not provide personal information over email. Legitimate companies will never ask for your Social Security Number, Credit Card number, or password over an email.
3. Fake Links: Pay attention to the URL of a website especially links that are emailed to you. A common attack is someone claiming that your account has been compromised and you should click a link to login or your account will be canceled. But, the link is altered taking you to a malicious website. In a URL, there is a vast difference between www.BankOfAmerica.com and www.BankOf-America.com and BankOfAmerica.Server1-Net.com. The domain name should always come right before the suffix, ie. .net, .com, org, .tv, etc. In the above examples, only the first link is legitimate. The dash in the second link makes it a different domain. And the third example will take you to the server1-net.com domain not bankofamerica.com. These subtle changes can be used to take advantage of you.
4. Unsafe Sites: Make sure you are entering your credit card number on a secured site. Anytime that you are providing sensitive information on the internet, the site should be secured. You can tell by looking at the url at the top. The url should start with https, the s stands for secure, not http. Also, there will be a lock icon either to the right or left of the url.

Passwords

Here are a few tips on making sure the passwords that you use on the Internet are strong.

1. Do not use all numbers: A computer can crack a password that is all numbers in less time than it took to read this sentence.
2. Don’t use "password": And, "password1" isn’t any better. Make sure your password can’t be found in the dictionary. Common words and names are easily hacked by dictionary attack programs.
3. Don't use a pet or child's name: People commonly use a pet’s name or child’s name as their password. Anyone attempting to crack your password would start with these.
4. Don’t reuse the same password on every account: If someone steals your password from a small boutique website, then it could be used to access more personal information if the password is the same for your bank or email.

Change the password to keep it from a common word. Try to have 8 characters and use a mix of letters, numbers and special characters. An easy example is changing a to @, I to !, e to 3, and o to 0(zero), so instead of using password1, p@ssw0rd! is much more secure and won’t be cracked with a dictionary attack.

Jogging, hiking and walking can be fun, healthful and safe when you take precautions.

Everyone that exercises by walking, hiking or jogging needs to be aware of certain crime prevention safety tips geared exclusively for them. Each of these activities is a very safe pursuit and you can make it even safer with a few precautions and a little knowledge. These guidelines will give you some suggestions on how to both avoid confrontation and behave skillfully if you are faced with a dangerous situation.

1. Don't Wear Headsets: Use your ears to be aware of your surroundings. When you use headphones you lose the use of an important sense: your hearing.
2. Be Alert and Aware of What's Going On Around You: People who have been attacked often say the same two things: “I never saw it coming” and “It happened so fast”. Awareness, like any other skill, is developed through practice. It starts simply by knowing what is going on around you and knowing who is around you. Be aware of your environment. Are there blind spots, shrubs or bushes where someone could hide? If so, stay away from such areas. Understand this: A distracted individual is an easy target.
3. Trust Your Intuition: React to your intuition and avoid a person or situation if you’re uncomfortable or unsure. If something tells you a situation is not “right” - it isn’t.
4. Vary Your Pattern of Activity: Don’t become “predictable” in your walking, hiking or jogging route. Develop routes within your area of familiarity and randomly use them as you exercise.
5. Exercise with a Known Companion: Enjoy the companionship of a friend or family member as you exercise. The presence of a second person is a very strong deterrent against criminal conduct. You may want to take your dog with you as you enjoy your exercise activity.
6. Tell Someone Where You Are Going: Tell friends and family members where you will be going and the anticipated time frame of your exercise activity.
7. Ignore Verbal Harassment: Use discretion in acknowledging strangers. Don’t be drawn into a verbal altercation. Look directly and confidently at others and be observant, but keep your distance and keep moving.
8. Carry a Noisemaker: Carry a whistle or shrill alarm to summon help and scare away an assailant, if needed. A variety of personal alarms are available for use while walking, hiking or jogging.
9. Carry a Cellphone: Always have a cell phone with you and available for summoning help. Be mindful of your surroundings and remember that cell phone service is limited in some areas. Don’t allow the use of your cell phone to distract you and leave you vulnerable

10. Don't Be Embarrassed to Seek Help: If you think you are being followed or you feel threatened in any manner—seek help! Go the nearest house or group of people and call the Police.

One thing that we need to remember is that no one is immune to crime. Crime does not always happen to the “other guy”. It could happen to you.

The holiday season is always a special time of year. It is also a time when busy people become careless and vulnerable to theft and other holiday crime. We can never be too careful, too prepared or too aware.

Here are some simple tips that may help keep you safe as you shop during the holiday season.

1. Dress Down: Dress casually and comfortably. Avoid wearing expensive jewelry.
2. Shop Together: Shop with friends and family. Try not to shop alone, especially at night.
3. Watch Purses and Wallets: Hold purses close to your body or use a front pocket if carrying a wallet. A fanny pack works very well.
4. Avoid Cash: Never flash large amounts of money. Try to use checks or credit cards instead of cash.
5. Use Credit Cards Safely: Beware of identity theft and keep receipts safe. Record credit card numbers at home and guard PIN numbers.
6. Educate Your Kids: Teach your kids or grand kids what to do if you get separated. Tell them to find a store clerk or security person.
7. Park Smart: Park close to the store. Avoid dark and secluded areas. Keep your car doors locked and the windows closed. Never leave your keys in the car. Be aware of suspicious cars and people.
8. Hide Packages: Store packages in the trunk of the car or cover them with a blanket or jacket on the floor in the back seat. Never leave them visible inside the car.

If you have any further questions regarding Holiday Shopping Safety Tips, please contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.

The men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department are asking our community to celebrate the holiday season safely and responsibly. Do not fire guns in the air!

Most individuals involved with celebrating the holidays with gunfire do not realize the danger and potential consequences of their actions.

Think about the following:

1. Researchers report that a bullet fired into the air can climb more than a mile in the air and remain in flight for almost a full minute. As the bullet falls back to the ground it can reach a velocity of up to 300 feet per second. A velocity of only 180 feet per second is sufficient to cause serious injury or death.
2. Shooting a gun into the air is a felony. If you are arrested for doing so, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law and you can spend up to one year in prison. If a stray bullet from your gun should kill someone, you will be arrested and charged with murder.
3. In an effort to reduce property damage, injuries and the potential of death - associated with indiscriminate gunfire - the men and women of the Riverside County Sheriff's Department are compelled to ask our community to act responsibly. Don’t fire guns into the air! If you ever see someone committing such acts, please call the police.
4. Remember, what goes up will come down and when a bullet comes down it is traveling at a fatal velocity.

Criminals look for easy targets. By taking simple precautions, you can make your home much more secure. Just contact the Sheriff's Department for a free brochure on home security, or for a courtesy security inspection. And follow these simple tips:

1. If you park your car on the street, in a parking lot or in your driveway, do not leave valuables, the key to your home or the garage door opener inside your car. Examples of valuables include your purse, wallet, check book and other important items. Park cars in a locked garage if possible.
2. During the fall and spring, many of our residents like to leave their sliding glass doors or windows open to allow a breeze to flow through their homes. This is an open invitation to cat burglars to enter through these unlocked windows or doors and steal valuables while you are in another part of the house. When you leave a room for more than a few minutes, consider locking the sliding glass doors, and other doors and windows in that room.
3. Lighting is the number one deterrent to burglaries. Exterior lights should remain on during the hours of darkness. Interior lights should be turned on during the evening hours when you are away, using timers to vary the lighting pattern. This makes it appear you are home which discourages burglars from attempting to enter your home. Do not leave interior lights on after you go to bed. Lights on in your home after normal bedtime hours can be an indication that no one is home. Additionally, we recommend installing and utilizing motion lights around your home that illuminate automatically when someone enters your property. It’s important to have motion detections lights mounted high enough on your home to prevent someone from removing the light bulb.
4. During nighttime hours, cat burglars are most active when you retire for the evening; lock all doors and windows in other parts of your home. A sliding glass door in your bedroom should be locked and windows may be opened with caution.
5. If you have a burglar alarm, set it before retiring for the night and when you go out. Remember to arm your bedroom and if the alarm has an audible outside bell, set it.
6. Garage doors should be fully closed when not in use. Too many residents have been victimized when they leave garage doors open or the side doors to the garage unlocked. During the hot summer months, residents frequently leave their garage doors open a few inches for ventilation purposes. If you do so, we recommend leaving it open no more then 4" to 6" so that no one can crawl under the door.
7. Install motion-activated lights in your front and back yards, so when someone approaches your home, the lights automatically come on.
8. Don't leave a key under a doormat, in a flowerpot or on the ledge of the door. Those are the first places burglars look.
9. Keep your front entry visible from the street so security patrol cars have a clear view. If you plant shrubs around your windows, choose small, thorny varieties. Shrubbery makes good hiding places.
10. While you are away from your home for short periods of time or during the summer months, have your family or neighbors pick up your mail and newspapers. Consider having mail and/or newspapers temporarily suspended or re-routed to your summer location.
11. If you don't have a locking mail box, we strongly recommend you get one. Never leave mail in unlocked mail box with the red flag up. That is a sure sign to mail thieves that there may be checks, credit card information or other identifying information in your outgoing mail. Mail theft and identity theft are increasing in the Coachella Valley and nationwide.
12. Install a lens viewer (peep hole) in your solid front doors. Never open the door without knowing who is outside. If someone blocks the viewer or ducks out of sight, call 911.
13. Know your neighbors and the vehicles they drive. If you see a suspicious person or vehicle in your neighborhood or around your business, call 911. For example, someone is looking into vehicles or at houses and businesses for no apparent reason or if you hear suspicious sounds (like pounding or glass breaking). Get a description of the person or persons, license plate number and tell the 911 operator of the suspicious person's direction of travel. The Sheriff's Department's non-emergency number is 760.836.3215, press option #5. The Sheriff's Department would rather check someone out than risk your harm or loss of property. You'll be helping public safety professionals, not bothering them!
14. Dead bolt locks should be installed and utilized in doors. We recommend that the dead bolt have a combination of a half-inch throw deadlocking latch and one inch throw dead bolt with a concealed steel roller that resists sawing or prying. A high security or reinforced strike plate with at least 2 screws should be used to mount the strike plate into the door frame. The screws must go all the way through the frame into the king stud. Consult a licensed locksmith for assistance with installation.

15. If you call 911 from your cell phone, you will be connected to a California Highway Patrol dispatcher. Riverside County Sheriff's Department's 911 number when using your cell phone is 951.776.1278. We recommend saving this number in your cell phone with 911 as the description or in the cell phone’s “ICE” (In Case of Emergency) file.

Identity theft or identity fraud, the fastest growing crime in the United States, is the taking of a victim’s identity for financial gain or to conceal the real identity of the perpetrator. If an identity thief can get access to your Social Security number, your date of birth, or even sometimes just your address and telephone number, they can use that information to assume your identity. They can open new credit card accounts, access your present bank accounts, rent a house or apartment, establish utility company accounts and even obtain a job—all in your name.

The following are basic, yet very effective, things that you can do to protect your identity.

1. Protect You Social Security Number: Your Social Security Number (SSN) is of great importance to an identity thief. Do not carry your Social Security Card or SSN in your purse or wallet; keep it in a locked, secure place. Give your SSN only when it is necessary.

2. Monitor Your Financial Statements: Pay attention to your billing cycles. Follow up with creditors if your bills do not arrive on time. A missing bill could mean an identity thief has taken over your account and changed your billing address to cover his tracks. Thoroughly review your statements for any unauthorized transactions or activity.

3. Review Your Credit Reports: Monitor your credit report annually. Verify that all the information is correct. Many times your credit report can be the first clue that an identity thief is at work to steal your good name.

4. Protect Your Postal Mail: Mail is involved in a significant number of identity theft cases. Retrieve your mail as soon as possible and never place outgoing mail in the mailbox. Enhance your security by using a post office box.

5. Guard Your Personal Information: Do not give out personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you initiated the contact or are sure you know who you are dealing with. Identity thieves may pose as representatives of banks, Internet service providers (ISPs) and even government agencies to get you to reveal your SSN, mother’s maiden name, account numbers and other identifying information.

6. Secure Your Personal Documents: Your personal documents contain your personal information. For those documents that you are required to keep, place them in a locked, secure place. Do so especially if you have roommates, employ outside help or are having service work done in your home. Shred your mail and any personal documents that you are not required to keep. Shredding your mail, confetti cut, is absolutely essential to protecting your identity.

7. Watch Out For Promotional Scams: Identity thieves may use phony offers to entice you to give them your personal information. Remember the old adage: “If it sounds too good to be true…it probably isn’t.”

If you have any further questions please call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.

Many people don’t want to bother the police because they fear that it may not be a real emergency or that they may embarrassed if their suspicions turn out unfounded. Your police department would much rather be called out to investigate your concerns than to be called after a crime has been committed.

Reporting Suspicious Activity

Citizens working together with their police department make one of the most effective crime-fighting teams available. You are the eyes and ears of your police department and one of the most practical ways you can help your police department is by calling to report suspicious activities, persons or vehicles in your neighborhood. The following are some activities and behaviors that often prove to be suspicious.

Person Running

Does this behavior indicate someone simply being in a hurry or does it have a heightened sense of urgency or tension about it. Is the individual looking about furtively, as if he were being observed or pursued? It is possible the individual is fleeing the scene of a crime?

Stranger Carrying Property

If this occurs at an unusual hour or location, and especially if the items are audio components, televisions, video equipment, computer or office equipment, or carrying a locked bicycle. It is possible the individual is leaving the scene of a robbery, burglary or theft.

Person Going Door-to-Door

If you see a person, or persons, going from house to house, if one or more goes into a back or side yard, you may be witnessing a crime in progress. It becomes especially suspicious if one or more persons remain in front. It is possible they are “casing” a house to burglarize or are in the process of burglarizing a house.

Unusual Activity Involving Vehicles

Any of the following vehicle related actions should be considered suspicious. A person forcibly entering a locked vehicle. An unfamiliar person is seen removing mechanical parts or accessories. If you observe apparent business transactions being conducted from a vehicle, you may be witnessing an illegal drug sale or a sale of stolen property. One or more persons sitting in a parked car closely scanning the area around them, they may be involved in a crime in progress or the planning of a future crime. If you see anyone being forcibly taken into a vehicle. A moving vehicle could be considered suspicious if it is driving slowly, driving without lights, or if its course appears aimless or repetitive. Try and get the license plate number, description of the vehicle and the occupants.

Unusual Mental or Physical Symptoms

An individual who may have been injured in an accident, is under the influence of drugs or medications or otherwise in need of medical or psychiatric assistance.

Unusual Noises

If you hear gunshots, screaming, sounds of combat, or anything suggesting foul play, danger or illegal activity call 911 immediately.

Vacation time is supposed to be a fun time for the entire family. The last thing you want is to return home and find your house has been burglarized. A few simple steps can help keep your home safe while you are away. 

1. Ask a trusted neighbor to keep an eye on your residence while you are away. Leave them a key in order to check your house regularly. Give them your itinerary of your trip so they can reach you in an emergency. Ask if they may be willing to park one of their cars in your driveway, change curtain positions as if you were home (versus leaving them closed) and water periodically—all of which communicates that someone is home.
2.  Stop mail and paper deliveries unless you have made arrangements to have them picked up daily by someone else. Any accumulation is a sure sign that the resident is away.
3. Set the volume on your telephone down so that the telephone may not be heard ringing unanswered from outside.
4. Disconnect your electric garage door opener and manually lock the garage door. Vehicles in your garage should also be locked and the keys stored in a safe and discrete location.
5. Connect your indoor and outdoor lights to an automatic timer in order to give the appearance that someone is home. You may also consider a timer on your radio or television if your pattern is to listen or watch at a specific time of day.
6. If you mow and rake your lawn on a regular schedule, it would be beneficial to have someone continue this while you are away. Ask that trusted neighbor to use your trash can or put one of their own in front of your house.

7. These tips are basic but important. Remember, the objective is to secure your home and leave your home looking as though you have never left. The more your home appears to be occupied while you are on vacation, the less likely you are to become a burglary victim.

If you have any further questions please call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.

Though professional car thieves have entered the field in increasing numbers, most vehicle thefts are committed by amateurs who can be stopped fairly easily. You can greatly increase your protection against this type of crime by taking the following sensible precautions.

Lock Up Tight

1. An unlocked vehicle is an open invitation to a car thief. Whenever you leave your vehicle - lock up tight – and take the keys with you.
2. If your vehicle is equipped to do so, lock the trunk and/or the tailgate.
3. Be sure to completely close the windows and activate the vehicle alarm system, if applicable. During the hot summer months, people frequently leave their windows slightly open for ventilation. Though it is hot here in our desert community, professional car thieves have specialized tools that allow them to unlock a vehicle taking advantage of a very minimum amount of open space. Be sure vent or “wind-wing” style windows are shut tight. These are favorite points of entry for car thieves. If you do keep your windows cracked, we recommend no more than one inch. 

Park Carefully

1. Avoid leaving your vehicle unattended in public parking lots for an extended period of time. Crime statistics tell us that a vehicle is five times more likely to be stolen when left unattended in a public parking lot than when parked on the street or in a parking lot with an attendant on duty.
2. If possible, park your vehicle in a lot where you don’t have to leave your keys. If you do have to leave your keys with a parking attendant, only leave the ignition key. Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. If your keys were lost or stolen, the tag could lead a thief directly to your vehicle and/or your home.
3. When parking on the street, turn the wheels of your vehicle sharply toward the curb to make it extra difficult for a vehicle thief to move or tow your vehicle.
4. When parking at night, park in well-lighted areas with pedestrian traffic.

If you have any further questions regarding Vehicle Security, please contact the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.

Vehicle Burglary Prevention

One of the most common crimes is vehicle burglary. Listed below are some suggestions for the citizens of our community to use in an effort to reduce the occurrence of this crime.

1. Lock It: Always lock your vehicle and take the keys, no matter where you are parking. Even in your driveway and garage. Lock your trunk and tailgate; close all the windows, even the smallest opening can provide access. Lock your vehicle at quick stops like the gas station, convenience store or ATM machine. Never attach a tag with your name and address to your key ring. Replace T-shaped door lock knobs with straight door lock knobs.
2. Park Carefully: Park your vehicle in the garage if you have one. If not, park your car where you can see it from a window. Park in well-lighted areas where there is pedestrian traffic.
3. Clean It Out: Do not leave anything in your vehicle. This includes CD’s, change, clothes, computers, purses, wallets, briefcases, credit cards, cell phones, garage door openers or anything else a thief might want. If you add an after-market stereo system, try a “pull out” model or one with a removable face plate. Use caution when storing items in the trunk; someone could be watching you. When possible, place items in the trunk before you arrive at your destination. The vehicle code requires you to keep your vehicle registration in your car but it does not require you to keep it in the glove box. Find an unusual place to store your vehicle registration as well as your proof of insurance documentation. If you are shopping, do not leave items inside your car visible through the windows. If you cannot take purchases home immediately, lock them inside your trunk.
4. Mark It: Use an engraver to etch your California Driver’s License Number on stereos and other valuable items. Record your vehicle identification number (VIN) and keep it in a safe place. Engrave your VIN number on different vehicle parts to prevent theft.
5. Report Suspicious Activity: Be alert to suspicious persons loitering in your neighborhood, especially if you see them “casually” looking into vehicle windows. Be alert to the sounds you hear. Most vehicle burglars steal things by breaking a car window. Report any suspicious activity by calling the Riverside County Sheriff's Department Non-Emergency Dispatcher: (760) 836-3215, Option #5.

If you have further questions regarding Vehicle Burglary Prevention, please call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.

When you go to work, don’t leave crime prevention at home. Almost any crime that can happen at home, or in your neighborhood, can happen in the workplace. These common-sense prevention skills can help make life “at work” safer for all.

Preventing Office Theft

Keep your purse, wallet, keys or other valuable items with you at all times or locked in a drawer, closet or locker.

If you bring personal items to work such as a coffee pot, a calculator, a radio or a CD player - mark them with your name, initials and an identification number.

Take Responsibility for Office Safety

Check the identity of any strangers who are in your office – ask whom they are visiting and if you can help them find that person. If this makes you uncomfortable, inform security or management about your concerns.

Always let someone know where you will be - whether it is working late, going to the copy machine, going out to lunch or a meeting. You will find that the “buddy system” works great in the workplace.

Report any broken or flickering lights, dimly lit corridors, doors that don’t lock properly or broken windows. Don’t wait for someone else to do it.

Be discreet. Don’t advertise your social life or vacation plans or those of your co-workers to people visiting or calling your place of work.

Avoid Trouble Spots

Avoid using out-of-the-way stairwells or corridors. Talk to the building manager about improving poorly lighted stairways and corridors. Never use them alone.

Don’t get into elevators with people who look out of place or behave in a strange or threatening manner. If you find yourself in an elevator with someone who makes you nervous, get off as soon as possible.

Be cautious when using restrooms. Make sure restrooms are locked and only employees have keys. Do not use restrooms that are isolated or poorly lighted.

Don’t work late alone. Use the “buddy system” for walking to parking lots or public transportation. If available, ask security to escort you to your vehicle.

If you have any further questions please call the Riverside County Sheriff's Department at (760) 836-1600.