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Does your
group or organization
need a speaker for an upcoming meeting?
The Van Buren
County Sheriff’s Office can help. We speak to many groups in the county
including teen drivers, neighborhood watch, seniors groups, schools, and
civic organizations. Each unit runs from 30 minutes to 1 hour and
15 minutes in length. These times are estimates and sessions may run longer, based on questions and discussion.
Discussion and questions are encouraged.
There is no charge for this service. Select a
topic from those listed below and contact Steve Starner at 269-655-6518
or
email.
Crime Prevention Topics
Crime Prevention 101
Who is responsible for crime
prevention? The answer may surprise you. We will look at crime from
the criminal’s view. Discuss the 10 principles of crime prevention and
why crime prevention is proactive. We will also cover the Criminal
Justice System. Approximately 50 minutes.
Auto Theft
Every year, thousands of autos are
stolen, some are never recovered, others taken for a joy ride and
recovered a short time after they were reported stolen. What can you
do to protect your vehicles? Approximately 45 minutes.
Financial Security
Everyday, we make financial
transactions with cash, credit cards, debit cards, checks and others.
Which ones are the safest - which ones should you avoid. How you can
protect your transactions? Approximately 50 minutes.
I.D. Theft
One of the fastest growing crimes in
the world; every man, woman and child is a potential victim. What
precautions should you take to protect yourself from this theft? What
do I do and who do I call if it does happen. Approximately 1 hour and
15 minutes.
Observation Skills
We all feel that not much gets by us,
but….spend an hour in this class and you may have a different
opinion on how much you may be missing. Learn what information is
important to law enforcement and how to prioritize what should be
recorded. You will be given exercises you can use to sharpen your
observation skills so, when (not if) they are needed you can be
prepared. Approximately 60 minutes.
Personal Safety
How you can avoid dangerous situations
in parking lots, the mall, restaurants, or while you are out for a walk
or run. Are you being followed? What should I do? Levels of awareness
-
where do you fit? Approximately 45 minutes.
Reporting Suspicious
Activities
We all see things everyday and we
wonder if I should call the police or is it a normal activity that I
have just seen? This class will give you insight as to when to call,
when to record, and when to just be observant. You will also learn just
what happens when you dial 911, where does the call go, and how it is
handled. We will discuss how your call is prioritized and who may
respond. Approximately 50 minutes.
Scams!
Criminals sit around all day thinking
of ways to steal your money; some are very simple, others are more
complex. You may be amazed at how creative some of these scams are -
they will pull at your heart strings, they will seem logical, they
will all separate you from your hard earned money. Approximately 1
hour and 10 minutes.
Target-Hardening Your Home
What can you do, as a home owner, to make
your home more secure? How do I make my home less inviting to a
criminal? Many easy tips and actions that can be taken to target
harden your home. Approximately 1 hour.
Travel Safety
When you go on vacation or travel for
business, you become a target for criminals. Things that give you away
as someone from out of town or out of the country, how you can avoid
becoming a victim. Approximately 45 minutes.
Business-related Topics
Check Fraud
Check fraud is a
growing criminal activity. This program discusses whether or not your
business should accept checks, how thieves use counterfeit, stolen or
modified checks to defraud your business. Also if should your business
write checks for payroll or bills? What are the hazards and how to
avoid them? Approximately 1 hour and 10 minutes.
Credit Card Fraud
Stolen and counterfeit credit cards
have become big business for thieves. This program talks about
security measures and how to protect your business from being a victim
of this criminal activity.
Approximately 1 hour and 15 minutes.
Currency Counterfeiting
Our currency is being counterfeited at
an alarming rate; thieves have high tech scanners and printers to
manufacture bills with very good quality. Learn how to spot
counterfeit money and how thieves have learned how to bypass the
common methods of detection. Keep your business a step ahead of
counterfeiters.
Approximately 1 hour.
Employee Theft
One of the largest losses for business
is theft by employees; learn how to detect it and methods on
prevention. Approximately 1 hour.
Retail Theft
Retail theft or shop lifting can be
limited by store layout and other methods which can be easy to
implement. Learn how to deter and detect those who would steal items
from your business. Discus the legal aspects of detaining a suspected
shoplifter.
Approximately 1 hour.
Robbery Protection
Is my business a target for a robbery? What do robbers look for and how to correct the issues? Opening and
closing each day is the most dangerous times, what can be done to
reduce the risk? What should I do if I am robbed? Approximately 1
hour.
Security Video
This program discusses the use of
cameras and recording equipment. With this type of equipment becoming
less expensive with self installation, it may be an
option to add this to your business or home security system. The
program will cover the pitfalls and legal considerations as well. Approximately 1 hour.
Drug & Gang-related Topics
Meth
Meth is the most addictive drug found
on the street. For a few dollars of household chemicals and over the
counter drugs, anyone can make meth. The toxic waste and the effects of
the drug reach far beyond those who use it. It can happen in your
neighborhood.
Approximately 45 minutes.
Marijuana
Marijuana is the most used illegal drug
in the United States. Discover its short and long term effects,
dangers, and effect on other drug uses. Approximately 40 minutes.
Gangs
Gangs and gang activity has been on the
increase in the United States over the last twenty years. One of the
largest increases has been in rural communities like Van Buren
County. This program gives a short history of gangs, the different
types and how to identify them. Approximately 45 minutes.
Home Safety Topics
Disaster Planning for the
Home
What if you loose utilities for
several days, the roads are blocked with downed trees, a severe
thunderstorm strikes, and do you know what you should have on-hand to
survive? How prepared are you for a disaster? What types of disasters
could we have in this area? Approximately 1 hour.
Home Safety
Thousands of people die or go to the
emergency room every year due to accidents which occur in and around
the home. See which activities are the most dangerous and how to avoid
them.
Approximately 1 hour.
Miscellaneous Topics
Cell Phones – Safety Tool or Safety Hazard?
Cell phones have become a part of our
lives. Viewed by many as an item to never be without, many feel a
sense of security because they can call for help from anywhere. See
why cell phones can be hazardous to your health. Approximately 45
minutes.
Neighborhood Watch - should your
neighborhood be involved?
Learn the history and function of
Neighborhood Watch and how it works with law enforcement. This 30+
year old program is very flexible and can work as well in an
apartment building or for an entire Township. The Van Buren County
Sheriff’s Office currently sponsors many groups in the county and
would like to expand in your area. Complete training can be provided
to start a new group as well. Approximately 45 minutes.
Contact Us:
Reserve
Captain Rodney Bridgeforth at 269-655-6518
or
email.
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