All around Memphis bad things happen, however they seem to be getting closer to home. A friend of mine is a Memphis police officer and she sent me some tips. While most of them are common sense kind of things, they are helpful so I thought I would pass them along. I am not going to note my source since she is a Memphis police officer and I don't want to put her name out there but below are the tips (although I personally, whole heartily DO NOT believe in guns or having one in the house or whatever).

Crime Prevention Ideas:
Burglaries and break ins to cars WILL eventually happen in Memphis, so prevent you loses by leaving nothing of value in your car and concealing anything that may indicate an item of value is inside your car. For example, don't leave cell phone chargers visible or leave coin change in a console that is visible. I've seen a $500 window broken for $1.25 in change. Also, if you use a GPS you must not leave it in the car and should regularly clean off the window that it may be attached to if it leaves that round seal mark on the windshield. Never leave a laptop, GPS or other electronic devices in your car! When you are out shopping, put sacks in your trunk before leaving store #1 and then drive to store #2. This prevents someone from seeing you park, put something in the trunk, and then leave the car and go inside another store. Write your tag number on your insurance card and keep it in your wallet in case your car gets stolen. You must either have your tag number or your VIN number for police in order for them to take an auto theft report. And you'll want to report it as soon as possible in hopes that nearby police can locate the vehicle.

As for home burglaries, I have several ideas. Recently the items of interest are , electronic game systems laptops, flat-screen t.v.'s, guns, jewelry, and money. Usually the target areas are the living room (entertainment center), the master bedroom, and in the tops of closets. If you have valuables in your bedroom (top drawers, jewelry box, under the mattress, or in the master closet, take them out! Items that cannot be found, cannot be stolen. Consider hiding places such as the food pantry, under the bathroom sink, over the washer/dryer, and other places that people do not traditionally put valuables. *****Important***** You need a list of all serial numbers for electronics and guns. The make, and model are also good to have, but items with a serial number should always be recorded to prevent their sale in a pawn shop and to increase the possibility of their return to the owner. Items without serial numbers, like pieces of jewelry, should be photographed so that they can later be identified.

Alarm systems are wonderful, albeit sometime a pain with the false alarms. I have found that some nationally monitored alarm companies (ADT) sometimes get in the habit of sending the police instead of calling the homeowner first to check for a false alarm. Ideally, the company is locally monitored and calls your home or cell to see if you have triggered the alarm in error. They will ask for your password and if you give them the correct password they will not send police. If the police are called and determine there is no break in they usually issue the homeowner a false alarm citation. After you receive 6 false alarm citations in one year, the city begins to fine you for every additional false alarm you have. Thus, a good alarm company that calls you before sending police is a definite asset! I find that Frase, Protection Unlimited, and even Brinks seem to do the best job. ADT is my least favorite and the one that I have noticed has the most false alarms.

When you are at home and someone knocks on your door, be sure to let them know you are home by speaking to them through the door without opening the door. Often times potential burglars knock on random doors and if no one answers the door they choose that house to enter. If you have any security doors or dead-bolt locks, always use them! Any house can be burglarized, just make yours more difficult than the others in your area. Don't leave keys in the locks inside your house. The glass can be broken and they can reach through to turn the key to enter. Instead, hang a hook near the inside the door that is not visible from the outside. That way, in case of fire, you are not trapped inside.

As for personal crimes, keeps these things in mind: Walk with a purpose and keep your head up and your eyes roaming your surroundings. Suspects choose victims that are less aware and seem less sure of themselves. If approached by an armed person, give them whatever they demand. Your life is not worth a purse, a car, or your jewelry. Do not, I repeat, do not get into a car, yours or others, with a suspect. If you let them get you inside a car or worse, a trunk, your odds of surviving have significantly decreased. If you are faced with this demand, fight for your life. Use keys to gouge his eye socket, his nose, his throat or any other soft area that may cause pain. Use the heel of your hand to try to force his nose through the back of his head. Bite his ear off if you have to, but do not get into a car with him.

If your cell phone is stolen in a personal crime, do not turn off your service until you have spoken with an investigator.Be able to recall approximate height, weight, clothing and distinct features of your assailant.Never, ever, leave children unattended in a vehicle.Never leave your car running unattended.

As you may have guessed, I am always armed and think that it is a good idea these days. If you are inclined to ever be armed, then go to a training facility (RangeMaster, Range USA, Top Brass, or wherever you choose), learn the law on self-protection. Get comfortable with a gun and know how to use it. Then go to the highway patrol (Driver's License station) and apply for a carry permit. Follow the steps for fingerprinting, background check, etc and pay your fee. But, if you are unsure, then don't do it. If you have a gun and are hesitant to use it, it can be taken away from you and used against you. This is a very personal choice.