Archive for March, 2010

Moni Sponsors Conference on Crimes Against Women

Greg Hurst mans the Moni boothMonitronics celebrated International Women’s Day on March 8 by being a gold sponsor at an inspirational event.

The annual Conference on Crimes Against Women (CCAW) was held in Dallas, Texas, March 8-10at the Sheraton Dallas Hotel in Downtown.

The conference serves to educate and inspire those who are in and those who support law enforcement. Prosecutors, medical personnel, social workers, police officers, forensic examiners, and victims’ advocates from across the country were in attendance.

The cause is an important one to us at Monitronics because we are committed to protecting women and all people from violence. In the United States, an estimated 1.3 million women are victims of physical assault by an intimate partner each year. One in six women will experience a sexual assault or an attempted sexual assault. One in 12 women has been stalked in their lifetime. Almost one third of female homicide victims are killed by an intimate partner.

SignageThe Monitronics informational table saw dozens of visitors who learned about our award-winning monitored alarm services and our efforts to partner with law enforcement. Several employees manned the table to show support and learn how we can be of assistance in communities across America.

The key note speaker was the Honorable Judge Ronald Adrine, an acting Judge in Ohio and co-chair for the National Judicial Institute on Domestic Violence. Judge Adrine set the tone for the conference which was advocating for top-notch police work, followed by committed prosecutions using the latest in technology to ensure convictions of violent offenders.

CCAW organizers left no stone unturned when selecting workshop topics and speakers. Attendees were able to receive continuing education credits for attending workshops such as:

* The Change Process for Abusive Men
* Women in Gangs
* The Power of DNA Technology in Solving Crimes
* Sex Offender Registration: What you need to know
* Ethical Considerations for Prosecutors in Sexual Assault cases
* Case Study: The Bike Path Rapist

Workshops were led by experienced professionals including:
* Jennifer Markowitz, Forensic Nurse
* Bob Morton, FBI
* Sergeant Chuck Young of the Dallas PD
* Jodi Rafkin, National Center for Victims of Crime
* Christine Mansour, Human Rights Initiative of North Texas
* Dottie Laster US Attorney’s Human Trafficking Rescue Alliance
* Kristen Anderson, National Center for Missing and Exploited Children

The Conference on Crimes Against Women was founded in 2005 by the Dallas Police Department and the Genesis Women’s Shelter.

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Tuesday Tips: Prevent carjacking

iStock_000009467350XSmall Carjacking is a frightening, violent form of robbery. This is not only because an individual gets up close and personal with a weapon to steal your car, but also because carjacking sometimes is accompanies by another crime: kidnapping. Kidnap victims are frequently dropped off at another location unharmed, but others have been raped, assaulted, and even murdered.

This crime seems to capture the imagination of people because it is so personal and all too often, we hear about the baby left in the car or celebrity victim (think Robin Wright Penn in 1996). It also threatens something the vast majority of adults do: drive.

The National Crime Victimization Survey reports that carjacking victimization rates were highest in urban areas, followed by suburban and rural areas. Ninety-three percent of carjackings occurred in cities or suburbs and a weapon was used in 74% of carjackings.

Where does it happen most? Busy commercial areas where cars are parked and when the owner is entering or exiting the parked vehicle. The majority (65%) occur within five miles of the victim’s home. There’s also the “bump” and carjack–a light or small tap from behind, enough to get you to stop.

What Should You Do?

* Be alert. Your gut will often tell you if someone does not belong near you and your car.
* Watch for men who are loitering near your car or approaching you.
* Lock the doors to your car when you drive and when you park
* Always park in well-lighted, open areas. Consider valet if you’re a woman.
* Get in the car quickly and drive away immediately.
* If someone bumps you in traffic, be suspicious and stop in a busy, well-lit place (a police or fire station is ideal).
* If you are carjacked, give up your keys, get out of the car, and don’t fight.
* Never, ever agree to be kidnapped. Get out of the car and run.
* Call law enforcement immediately after you are safe

Start a neighborhood crime watch

We’ve mentioned it before: good neighbors make good security. And what better way to get good neighbors than to start a crime watch program if you don’t have one?

How to Start a Neighborhood Crime Watch

1. Think about the things you want to accomplish: get to know each other? Talk about  crime? Start a patrol? Organize a committee?

2. Pick a date. Evenings are best, around 7 p.m. Schedule the meeting in someone’s home so neighbors can walk and feel comfortable in their own surroundings. You’ll also increase attendance. If no one is willing to host, consider a local church or public space. At least 30% participation is required to organize your group.

3. Call your local police department and ask an officer to attend. That officer is a wealth of information, from crime statistics and prevention tips to community policing, and information about how the police can help deter crime. In particular, ask the officer to address what is needed when calling the police about a suspicious person or vehicle.

4. Make a flyer, one for each home or apartment. This is to inform everyone of the meeting; the brochure speaks to the implementation of Neighborhood Watch. Your local police department may have ready-made brochures for you to distribute. Be sure to ask.

5. At the meeting, identify a neighborhood chairperson and organize the first meeting. Set up a telephone chain to be shared with neighbors participating in the crime watch. The chain is a list of phone numbers and addresses, as well as any special information about that location. This is how people stay in touch and it is a critical part of the program.

6. Ask if the police can provide crime watch signs, house stickers, or t-shirts for your group.

7. Set up a regular time for meetings each month and make plans to distribute the telephone chain.

This is not an easy process, but it’s one of the best things that can happen to a neighborhood!

Photos from anniversary luncheon

Here are some photos from our Friday anniversary luncheon. Aren’t we pretty? To see the entire set, visit our Flickr page here.

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Tuesday Tips: Don’t get burned!

Did you know that around 80% of all burns occurs in or around the home? They’re totally preventable in both adults and children! Getting burned is a traumatic experience both physically and mentally, so be cautious and stay safe.
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Burn prevention tips from Monitronics

* Keep water heater temperature at 120 degrees Fahrenheit or lower

* Don’t cook at the stove with kids underfoot

* Turn handles of pots toward the back of the store and don’t leave pots unattended

* Never pour hot liquids while holding a child

* Check temperature of bath water before placing a child in it and don’t ever leave a child unattended in the tub

* Put matches and lighters in unreachable or locked location

* Keep key out of the gas control and put a heavy cover in front of the fireplace

* Use safety plugs in electrical outlets

* Avoid chemical burns by moving all dangerous products to an unreachable place

* Slather on the sunscreen when outside

* Install smoke alarms in multiple locations around the house (each floor and bedroom) and test monthly

* Candles are dangerous. Don’t leave them unattended.