AY Honors/Crime Prevention/Answer Key

2. Join or start a Neighborhood Watch program in your community.

It’s easy to organize a neighborhood or block watch program. First, contact your local law enforcement agency. Then, invite your neighbors in to discuss the crime problem and how to combat it. Ask your police or sheriff’s department to send an officer to the meeting to offer tips on home security, self-protection, and what to report to police.

At the meeting, exchange home and business telephone numbers and addresses. Keep these near your phone so you can use them if you need to report a crime. Choose one person or several individuals who are at home during the day to be responsible for Neighborhood Watch activities. Then make arrangements to watch each other’s homes and property and to be on the lookout for suspicious activities or persons. Some neighbors form block clubs that meet regularly to discuss community issues and safety techniques.

4. List three ways you can make your home seem like people are there.

1) Plug-in timers to turn lights and a radio on and off at appropriate times. It’s an easy way to disguise the fact that you are away. 2) Arrange for someone to mow your lawn, shovel snow, or rake leaves to give your home a lived-in look. 3) Stop all deliveries or arrange for a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers, and packages.

6. Name three types of door locks and explain how they latch.

1) Deadbolt lock—when you turn the key, the lock mechanism slides a strong metal bolt from the door into the frame. 2) Rim mounted with deadbolt—The locking device on the door fits into the plate on the frame. When you turn the key, strong metal bars join the two parts of the lock. 3) Double cylinder deadbolt—This lock works exactly like the deadbolt, but this lock can only be opened by a key from either side.

Types of locks

7. Name two types of windows and how they can be made secure.

1) Double Hung (Sash) windows: To secure, drill an angled hole through the top frame of the lower window partially into the frame of the upper window. Then, insert a nail or eyebolt. The window can’t be opened until you remove the nail. 2) Sliding Glass (vertical or horizontal) window: To secure, place a wood dowel along the edge of the window so that it cannot be pulled or pushed open.

9. Who should you notify if your family is going away over a week?

You can notify a close (distance) relative, neighbor or the police department. Make sure it is someone who can check in on your house on a fairly regular basis.