Goal - The goal of the program is to prevent crime by reducing the criminal's opportunity. The message from business leaders to citizens is clear, we care enough about our residents and patrols to remind them to:

LOCK their cars,

TAKE their keys,

HIDE their belongings

By following a few crime prevention tips, citizens can reduce the number of thefts from motor vehicles occurring in the community.
>>Be aware of your surroundings

>>Park in well lighted areas
>>Remove visible items from inside your cars such as: Cash, laptops, handbags, wallets, credit cards, cell phones, MP3's/iPods, briefcases, palm pilots, golf clubs, tools, CD's, cassettes, duffle bags, back packs, radar detectors, shipping bags and boxes.

Businesses and Apartment complexes can purchase the signs for $25.00 each.

Contact Crime Prevention Officer Erica Franz at 667-5112.

                  Don’t Be Scammed by Door to Door Sales:

They’ve started! Have any of you run into them yet?  You know, the door to door salesmen or the ones on foot peddling magazines because they are trying to earn a trip, perfumes to raise money and boy they have a deal for you, or even meat out of the back of white van!  They can be very persistent, so don’t let them bully you.  Here is information that can help you deal with them.

• The City of Hermiston requires a solicitor’s license to sell door-to-door, don’t be afraid to ask the salesperson if they have one and call the police if they fail to provide it and refuse to leave
  
  
• City Hall can verify if a business has been given a solicitor’s license for city limits of Hermiston
  
• Not all door-to-door sales are legitimate, be cautious.  Do not give them any personal or business information without verifying they are a legitimate business.
  If you feel uncomfortable or sense anything suspicious, call your police department. 

If it sounds to be good to be true, it probably is!


Crime Prevention Tips for Businesses:

Deterring Shoplifting

As with everything, nothing is 100% effective but that doesn’t mean that you have to take it sitting down.  Take action!!  Prevent thieves from walking out your doors with YOUR property!  Here are few things that you can look for or implement that can reduce the likelihood that a shoplifter will steal from your business. 

Greet your customers as they enter the store.  This way they know that you acknowledge their presence and that you are watching them.  This is the most effective anti-shoplifting technique you can use.  Plus, quality customer service always wins.

Watch your customers.  Look for darting eyes or rotating heads.  These are the folks looking to see where YOU are at.  Legitimate customers will be looking at the merchandise, not you.

Watch for that wandering customer.  It could be a regular customer looking for something specific and having a hard time finding it.  BUT, it could be a shoplifter looking for something to steal when you are NOT looking.  Don’t be afraid to approach and offer assistance.

Note the customer’s appearance. Watch customers that are carrying large purses or open shopping bags.  Or they may be wearing loose, baggy clothing, or a large coat.  Clothes that do not match the conditions.

Post warning signs about shoplifting and its prosecution.  Not only post them, but enforce them when you catch a subject stealing.  Talk to your employees and make sure that everyone understands your policy on enforcement.  If the employee climate doesn’t match, it won’t work.

Install security devices.  Cameras can be very effective if installed properly.  Other security measures like electronic tags and sensors can also assist in protecting your merchandise. 

Not all of these prevention measures are feasible for some businesses due to costs or staffing issues.  Try to concentrate on the ones that are and get them implemented.   Consider the cost of NOT implementing anything and seeing hundreds, maybe thousands of dollars of your merchandise walking out the door.   Can you really afford that to happen?