Safety Tips

Burgeoning urban population, changing social values and evolving technology - various factors pose a constant challenge to Ranchi city police, in their fight against crime. Certain simple precautions taken up by the public can go a long way in making policing more effective and reducing crime opportunities. Some of these precautions, which can be adopted by the public, are listed below. This is not an exhaustive list but an indicative one.

Always keep your main door closed. Provide it with a peephole. Fix a metal grill or collapsible gate outside the main door, which will provide you the visibility without exposing you to threats. Ensure that the window grills are not screwed into the frames, but embedded in the cement work. Whenever you move into a new house, change the main door and back door locks. Where air-conditioners are fixed provide an additional grill outside. There is generally a spate of ?window snatching' during the hot summer months. The public is advised to sleep at a certain distance from the open windows. Do not keep valuables, purses, mobile phones, and wristwatches openly visible from outside. If possible fix mosquito nets on the nets, which won't cut off ventilation. Fix Electronic burglar alarms with telephone for warning. Now it is available for Rs.800 - Rs. 1000. onwards.

Switch on outside lights during nighttime. When you go out, switch on at least one inside light, to give the impression that the house is not empty. There are timer mechanisms available in the market, which control lights. If you are planning to be away from home for some days, install one of these gadgets.

The city police provide a free service to the public. When you are going out of station, you can inform to the local station the duration of your absence. The beat constables will keep watch regularly.

Ensure your watchman is an able bodied person. Do approach the local police to verify his antecedents. Surprise the watchman at wee hours to ensure he doesn't sleep. Organise night patrols in your community. The local police will assist you if approached through the residents' association. Keep touch with the beat police constables while they are coming to your area and keep them informed of even minor incidences. This will prevent major crimes in future. Don't allow strangers who claim to be mechanics / messengers / sales people to enter, without thoroughly checking their credentials. Train your watchman also to do so. Inform the local police of suspicious characters. If at all you have to allow them inside when you are alone, call the watchman or a neighbour to stay around till the work is completed Inform without delay of any gambling activities, pirated/ porno CD distribution, drug or illicit peddling in your locality. Any hesitation will result in increase of criminal elements in your locality Reme mber. The more you deny temptation, lesser will be the chances of being robbed.

Keep jewels, important documents and other valuables in bank lockers. Bring them home only when absolutely necessary. Don't keep valuables or money in the side box of your parked two-wheeler. Don't leave valuables or money in your Car while parking. Ladies are advised to conceal their neck jewels while traveling in public transportations and during public festivals. If you are coming out of the bank after heavy withdrawals or out of a jeweler after purchase, be alert of somebody trying to divert your attention; by pointing out to dirt or waste on your person, spitting betel nut on you or throwing some money on the street. Keep your valuables or money safely tucked away inaccessibly on your person while traveling in public transportations. If you carrying them in a bag, keep the bag close to your person in front of you. Do not respond to people offering to assist or sexual advances in public transportations. These are some of the common diversionary tactics employed. The safest will be to avoid traveling in crowded transportations while carrying heavy cash or valuables.

The city police provide a free service to the public. Whenever you are engaging the services of Domestic Servants like Maid, Caretaker, Cook, Driver, Office Boy or Watchman you can approach the local station for verifying their antecedents.

Use fork lock in your two wheelers while parking. While going shopping or anywhere please park your vehicles in the vehicles parking lot. During the night hours don't park your vehicles out side your compound wall. In case your vehicle is stolen, please inform the local police station as early as possible. The delay in informing will result in more crimes being committed and increase the difficulty in tracing the vehicle. If you notice an unattended and unknown vehicle parked for a day or more, inform the local police, beat constables or CONTROL ROOM When buying a used vehicle, compare the Registration number, Engine number and Chassis number with the RC book. Checkup with database of lost and found vehicle in this website or with the concerned district transport officer.

Bankers, Jewelers and shop owners are advised to fix Burglar alarm, CCTV and engage young and healthy watchmen after checking their antecedents. Get trained in detecting fake credit cards and counterfeit. Banks are advised to install hot lines with the local police stations. The frontage should be well lit after business hours. Do not allow tramps, paper pickers and beggars to sleep in the shop front. New type of Shutters (Single Piece) cannot be easily breached.

In case of losing the credit card, lodge a complaint with the bank immediately. It will enable the bank to announce it as 'hot card' as early as possible, making it possible to nab the culprit. This will also protect you from liabilities, which may be incurred using the stolen card. Do not write the PIN number on the card itself.

Make sure your privacy is not intruded while using the ATM Collect the cash and count it as unobtrusively as possible. Keep the cash in its place before coming out of the ATM booth Make sure you log out in the right sequence Don't forget to collect the card from the slot. Do not ask for assistance from any unauthorised person. Do not encourage strangers who offer unsolicited advice. Avoid using ATMs in uncrowded places especially late night When signing the bill counterfoil, after making a purchase using the credit card, make sure there are no duplicates or additional bills.

Inform the local police station if Senior citizens are home alone for a considerable period of time. They are advised to exercise precaution in interacting with or taking assistance from strangers. Remember to call CONTROL ROOM.

General precaution is advised to avoid lonely places or attracting unwanted attention. Remember an exclusive WOMEN /CHILD HELPLINE is available in all the districts. See the exclusive section "WOMAN HELP DESK"

Teach your child to tell your name, house address and contact numbers, which will be very useful if they get lost. But advise them not to pass on this information to casual enquirers or over phone. Don't leave children alone in crowded places. For toddlers who are yet to communicate clearly, tie an identity tag/card. Train the children not to accept eatables from strangers, not to accompany strangers who call them on some pretext. Remember an exclusive WOMEN/CHILD HELPLINE is available in all the districts.

Abusers often try to earn the trust of potential victims and their families. This enables them to easily gain time alone with the children. More than 80% of sexual abuse cases happen in one-adult/one-child situations Think carefully before leaving your child alone with an adult. If possible, seek out group situations instead. If you can?t avoid leaving your child alone with someone, drop in unexpectedly Always talk to your children about their daily activities. Show interest in their feelings. Encourage them to share their concerns and problems with you Teach your children about the human body, what abuse is. Teach them words that will help them feel comfortable discussing sex with you. Explain that no one has the right to touch them in a way that makes them uncomfortable, including adults whom they know and trust Teach your children that it?s your job to protect them, and that you can protect them only if they tell you when something is wrong Reassure your children that sexual abuse is not their fault.

Ensure the luggage is latched and locked. Secure your luggage with a chain lock. Do not leave them unattended. Do not accept eatables from co-travelers. Do not reveal too many personal details to strangers.

Early morning walkers are advised to avoid wearing valuable jewels, which will attract the snatchers. Please avoid walking in the dark, especially in lonely stretches. It's advisable for women to avoid lonely stretches even during daytime.

Be wary of advertisements or individuals offering overseas jobs. Check their antecedents. Check the website of the companies in which jobs are promised. If needed do not hesitate to approach the consulate of the country. Before complaining contact the following organisations to crosscheck the facts of employers. For emergency complaints contact the CONTROL ROOM.