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For Release: Immediate Contact: Benjamin Feldman
Date: April 19th, 2007 Tel: 201-394-7728
SHERIFF McGUIRE GIVES WESTWOOD SENIORS
TIPS ON STAYING SAFE
HACKENSACK – Bergen County Sheriff Leo P. McGuire conducted a Personal Safety Seminar yesterday for a group of more than 20 senior citizens at the TJ Riley Multipurpose Center in Westwood.
Sheriff McGuire, backed by the Sheriff’s Office Community Outreach Unit, spoke with the group about personal safety and the threats we face during the course of everyday life. McGuire not only offered the seniors strategies to escape dangerous situations, but a few tips to avoid trouble in the first place:
Always try to look and act confident. Appearing lost or confused can make you an inviting target for thieves.
When out walking or jogging, vary your route from time to time and always try to make sure someone else knows where you’ll be.
Don’t be conspicuous about the valuables you are carrying.
You will be safest in bright, well lit and busy areas.
Overall, McGuire emphasized that the keys to avoid becoming a victim are being aware of your surroundings, and knowing how you will react in a situation before it happens.
“Being smart about where you are and what you’re doing is a fundamental part of crime prevention,” said McGuire. “But it’s just as important to decide how you will react if you find yourself in a dangerous situation. Will you defend yourself and risk further injury or would you give an attacker what they want to avoid injury? Making your decision ahead of time can spare you from serious injury or worse.”
The Sheriff stressed that when it comes to crimes against people and property, we are often the first and best line of defense.
“It’s up to each and every one of us to be proactive about our own personal safety,” McGuire said. “When it comes to keeping yourself safe, the best partner the police can ever hope to have is you.”
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