Crime Prevention Tip from the Tulsa Police

Thieves have found a way to break into your vehicle which may go unnoticed for several days. They take valuable information and documents. If you have a GPS unit, they now know what you drive along with where you live. The next step may be a burglary of your residence. Here is how they are doing it: Thieves locate a parked vehicle having something of value inside. They use a punch tool on the passenger side door just below the handle to punch a small, almost unnoticeable hole in the door. They then gain access to the mechanism that unlocks the door. They unlock the door not setting off any alarm or creating any noise. Thieves get inside your vehicle and take electronic valuables. They also take a check or two from the middle of the check book and even will take one or two of your credit cards hoping it goes unnoticed. They then get into your GPS and find out what you have listed for "HOME". They'll leave the GPS in the car to reduce the likelihood that you'll realize that your car has been broken into. Already knowing what you drive, they can check to see if you are home and then break into your residence. These types of break ins are going unnoticed for several days. By the time you've discovered the crime, thieves may have already wiped out your bank account. Remove "HOME" from your GPS. Use a local business instead. Here is a security alarm system that you probably already have and requires no installation. Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or hear someone trying to get into your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies. Next time you come home for the night and you start to put your keys away, test it. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and will keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key fob chain.

Tulsa Police Change Response to Certain Calls

Due to the recent reductions in staffing, the Tulsa Police Department has been forced to evaluate ways to maintain the staffing levels in order to respond to priority 911 calls.
As a result, the department has temporarily suspended responding to certain property crimes and report calls.
Officers will not respond to non-injury collisions, fraud and forgery reports, burglary from vehicle reports, larceny reports and other minor property crime reports. The exception to this new policy will be a non-injury collision involving an intoxicated driver, or a non-injury collision involving a disturbance or other crime.
Officers will respond to calls for service if the crime is in progress or if a suspect is still at the location.
While we understand that this may not be a popular decision, it is important to continue to have adequate manpower to respond to higher priority calls and crimes against a person. This change will be revisited as the department recovers form these difficult times.
Crime Reports can be filed electronically at the Tulsa Police Department website www.tulsapolice.org or call the Non-emergency number at 596-9222 for other reporting options.

Holiday Shopping - Safety Tips

With Black Friday shopping just around the corner, the Tulsa Police Department would like to remind shoppers:

• Keep valuable items out of sight. Place them in your trunk.
• Park in well-lit, well-travelled areas.
• Scan parking lot of suspicious behavior or vehicles.
• Consider leaving your purse at home.
• Don't carry large amounts of cash.
• Have your keys ready when approaching your vehicle.
• Don't linger in your car. Get in and get out quickly.
• Do not talk on your cell phone as you are walking to your car.
• If you are confronted by a robber, quickly hand over the valuables they demand.
• If you discover you are a victim of theft, contact local law enforcement.