Personal and Traffic Safety Presentation
1. Sgt. John Mittler from the Johnstown Police Department spoke with over 25 members of the International Student Club on both Personal and Traffic Safety. The 911 phone system was briefly clarified as well.
A summary of what we learned:
1. To be careful when driving in unsafe conditions (and to STAY HOME when school is cancelled). He discussed speed, weather and road conditions and how they impact saftey.
2. Where to go if we get a driving violation (Town vs. City courts) and how to understand the current as well as the new electronic Traffic ticket forms.
3. How to prevent crimes as they relate to home, phone, automobile and physical security.
A. Home Security
-Never Hide your key in an easily accessible place
-Don't open your door to strangers
-Install or ask your landlord to install a "peep hole" viewer in the door so you can see who is knocking at your door.
- Keep your house well lit
-Lock doors with dead bolts
- Lock windows
-When moving into a new house or apartment, change locks or re-key
B. Phone Security
- don't give strangers information on the phone
-don't give information on your answering machine
-consider a cell phone
-don't provide sensitive information over a cell phone
C. Automobile Security
- Lock your doors when you are in the car
- Never pick up hitchhikers
- Don't leave valuables visible inside
- Look around your car before getting in
- Keep the gas tank at least half full
- If in an accident or broken down, wait for the police- don't leave your vehicle
D. Physical Security
- Be alert when leaving stores and malls (Albany Malls are very active these days with gang crime)
- Avoid using ATMS at night or in unsafe areas
- Have friends wait long enough for you to get inside when dropping you off
- Carry Throw Away money
- When in danger, distract the attacker, make lots of noise and RUN
