Reducing Your Risk of Being a Robbery Victim

1. If possible, don’t walk alone.
   Walk in groups whenever you can — there is always safety in numbers.
2. Stay in well-lit areas.
   Avoid alleys, vacant lots, wooded areas, and other short-cuts or secluded areas.
3. Wear clothing and shoes that let you move easily.
   Don’t burden yourself with too many packages or items.
4. Always be aware of your surroundings.
   If you wear headphones/earbuds, play it at a volume that allows you to hear outside noises.
5. Do not allow yourself to be distracted by your cell phone.
   If you’re wearing headphones, keep the volume low enough that you can hear someone approaching you.
6. Try to travel with others and walk in populated and well-lit areas.
7. Wear clothing and shoes that give you freedom of movement.
8. Let a family member or friend know your destination and your estimated time of arrival.
   Consider sharing your phone location with a trusted friend or family member.
9. Protect your electronics, jewelry, and cash.
   Don’t display these high-value items, either on your person or in your parked vehicle. If you must leave them in your car, lock them in your trunk or glove compartment. In a pinch, hiding items under seats is better than leaving them in plain view.
10. Check on the availability of a tracking system for your electronic devices.
11. Use ATMs in daylight hours in well-populated areas.
    If you notice anyone or anything suspicious, cancel your transaction and go to another ATM.
12. Place your wallet in your front hip pocket or inside jacket pocket.
    Do not carry it in your back pants pocket. Some people even place a rubber band around their wallet, because the rubber band creates friction and rubs against the fabric of your pocket if someone attempts to remove it without your knowledge.
13. Use a purse that is difficult to open.
    A purse with a zipper or snap is best. If you are carrying a shoulder bag, place the strap diagonally across your body, as opposed to carrying it on one shoulder.
14. Never leave your purse unattended.
    This is true whether it’s on a store counter or in a grocery shopping cart.
15. Report any suspicious activity to police officers or security guards.
    Inside a store: Do you notice people who are paying more attention to the purchases being made, rather than checking out new products? Outside a store: Do you see people standing at or near the exit for no real purpose?
16. When walking in the street or on the sidewalk, walk facing traffic.
    You will be able to see all vehicles approaching you, reducing the chance of someone sneaking up on you and forcing you into a car.
17. Walk confidently, directly, and at a steady pace.
    Don’t stop to talk to strangers.
18. Trust your instincts.
    If someone or something makes you uneasy, leave. If you feel like a crime is imminent, call 911, scream, or raise an alarm—remember, more people will respond to someone yelling “Fire!” than they will to “Help!”
19. Be cautious when meeting strangers.
    If you plan to meet up with someone you met online — for example, someone from a dating app, or someone you plan to buy something from or sell something to — screenshot their profile and send it to a trusted friend or family member before you go. If you are buying or selling something, arrange to do the trade at a police station. If they refuse to meet you at a police station, call 911 and request that officers accompany you to the address of the meet.

Preventing Package Thefts This Holiday Season

1. Do not leave anything in your car when you are shopping.
   Car prowlers target parking lots on Black Friday and throughout the holiday season in anticipation of busy neighbors leaving packages in their cars while shopping.
2. Sign up for delivery alerts from the shipper.
   If you aren’t home during delivery, message a neighbor on Nextdoor or your community listserv to have them take the package back to their place until you get home.
3. Require a signature for all your deliveries.
   If there’s no one home to sign for the package, it won’t be left at your home.
4. Use our free Amazon Lockers.
   Have your package delivered to one of the free Amazon Lockers, available at all MPD district stations.
5. Be neighborly and vigilant.
   Hold your neighbor’s delivery for them when they are not home to help reduce thefts. If you see a package sitting on a neighbor’s doorstep, reach out and ask if they would like you to hold it until they are home.
6. Use a security camera.
   Help protect your home and block by installing a security camera. Participate in the city’s camera rebate program.

Protect Your Auto

1. Secure your items.
   Do not leave anything in your car when you are shopping.
2. Secure your vehicle.
   Don’t leave your vehicle running or keys in the ignition. Remove your keys, lock all your doors, and close your windows. NEVER leave your engine running and vehicle unlocked while you run into your home, a convenience store, or anywhere else.
3. Lock your car.
   Always lock your car when leaving it, even to pump gas or run into a convenience store. Lock your doors immediately upon entering, even before you put the keys in the ignition. Keep the doors locked for the entire ride.
4. Use a visible anti-theft device.
   Steering wheel locks and other devices alert thieves that your vehicle is protected. Consider a vehicle immobilizer, which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hotwiring the vehicle. Popular devices include a smart key (specially-coded computer chip without which the engine cannot be started), fuse cut-off, kill switch (inhibits the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine), and starter, ignition, and fuel disablers.
5. Invest in a tracking system.
   This will help police locate your vehicle in the event it is stolen.
6. Be cautious at the pump.
   Choose well-lit stations with video cameras. Use the pump closest to the attendant. Remove your keys.
7. Park in well-lit areas, near sidewalks or walkways.
   Avoid parking near dumpsters, large vans or trucks, or anything else that limits your visibility.
8. Document your property.
   Keep a photo of your license plate and vehicle.
9. Avoid stairwells in parking garages.
   Try walking down the auto ramp instead. As long as you watch for cars, the ramp can be much safer.

Tips to Make Your Holiday Shopping Safe

1. Stay aware of your surroundings.
   Be vigilant and park in a well-lit, well-traveled area.
2. Don’t flash the cash.
   Consider alternate options to pay for your merchandise.
3. Be wary of strangers approaching you.
   Many thieves use various methods to distract you with the intention of taking your money
   or merchandise.
4. Deter pickpockets.
   Carry your purse close to your body or your wallet inside a coat or front trouser pocket.
5. Keep packages out of sight.
   Lock your vehicle and place all your merchandise in the trunk.
6. Have a plan when shopping with children.
   If you’re shopping with kids, teach them to go to a store clerk or security guard if you get separated.
7. Secure your vehicle.
   Although it’s cold, NEVER leave your vehicle running while you run inside a store—even if for only a minute or two.

Reducing the Risk of Vehicle Theft and Carjacking

1. Take your keys with you.
   Don’t leave your vehicle running or keys in the ignition.
2. Lock your car.
   Always lock your car when leaving it, even to pump gas or run into a convenience store.
3. Use a visible anti-theft device. 
   Steering wheel locks and other devices alert thieves that your vehicle is protected.
4. Invest in a tracking system.
   This will help police locate your vehicle in the event it is stolen.
5. Be cautious at the pump.
   Choose well-lit stations with video cameras. Use the pump closest to the attendant. Remove your keys.
6. Don’t resist and don’t argue.
   It’s not worth it, especially if there is a weapon involved. Give up your property — don’t give up your life.
7. Try to remember what the robber or carjacker looks like.
   Helpful identifiers like sex, race, age, hair and eye color, special features, clothes are all useful to help find the perpetrators.
8. Sometimes carjackers have a “follow vehicle,” driven by an accomplice.
   As the carjacker drives off with your vehicle, try to notice if there is another vehicle following closely behind. If so, try to remember as much as you can about that vehicle.

Making Safe Purchases Online and in In-Person Meet-ups

1. Use Safe Exchange Zones and Amazon Lockers
   Protect yourself and your transaction by using these free tools, available at every police district station and Harbor Patrol.
2. Use public and well-lit meeting spots like police station lots or 24/7 stores.
   If you’ve made a purchase through an online market — such as Facebook Marketplace, eBay, Meetup, Craigslist, or other services — always tell a friend or family member where you’re going. Inspect items thoroughly before paying, avoid sharing personal information or paying in advance, and consider using traceable payment methods. 
3. Research the other person.
   Look at their profile for red flags like a newly created account, generic information, or lack of sales history.
4. Share your plan.
   Tell a trusted friend or family member who you are meeting, where, and when. Consider sharing your location via your phone.
5. Keep communication on the platform.
   Avoid moving communication off the app, as it can be risky.
6. Avoid meeting at night.
   Choose daytime hours for your meetup.
7. Inspect the item.
   Check the item carefully for any defects before completing the purchase. If it’s an electronic item, test it out on the spot if possible.
8. Avoid advance payments.
   Never pay for an item before you have met and inspected it in person.
9. Use secure payment methods.
   Avoid wire transfers, gift cards, and cash if possible, especially for large transactions. Use a traceable method like a credit card or a secure payment app like Venmo with buyer protection.
10. Be wary of scams.
    Watch out for common scams like overpayment, fake escrow services, or phishing attempts. 
11. Report suspicious activity.
    If you encounter a scammer or feel unsafe, report the user to the marketplace and local authorities. 
12. Bring a friend.
    If possible, bring someone with you to the meetup.
13. Trust your instincts.
    If something feels off or the person makes you uncomfortable, leave the situation immediately.
14. If your purchase was from Amazon, have your items delivered to an Amazon Locker.
    Use the free Lockers available at all police district stations and the MPD Harbor Patrol.

District Stations

First District
101 M Street, SW

Second District
3320 Idaho Avenue, NW

Third District
1620 V Street, NW

Fourth District
6001 Georgia Avenue, NW

Fifth District
1805 Bladensburg Road, NE

Sixth District
5002 Hayes Street, NE

Seventh District
2455 Alabama Avenue, SE

SOD Harbor Patrol
600 Water Street, SW