Personal Safety Information

Broomfield Police Department
Non-Emergency 303-438-6400
Emergency 9-1-1
Public Education Coordinator 720-887-2084
Victim Services Unit 303-438-6429

Safety Tips For Your Home:

• Make sure your doors and windows have good locks and keep them locked.  If you leave momentarily, close and lock your windows when you leave.

• Use good quality, pin-tumbler locks (deadfall or deadbolt variety with pick resistant cylinders) on your doors.

• After moving into a new residence, change the door locks.  Previous tenants or former employees may still have keys.

• Keep an inventory, including serial numbers of your valuables.  Photograph your jewelry and other valuables.

• Utilize the peep hole viewer in your door if you have one.  Don't open the door to anyone you don't know.

• Never allow a stranger to enter your home, especially for a service that you have not requested.

• Require identification from individuals at your door.  You may also consider confirming their credentials with the agency they represent before opening the door.  Do not judge people by their appearance.

• When answering the telephone, you have no obligation to identify yourself.  Remember that they called you!  Do not reveal unnecessary information, even if it seems trivial.

• Never say that a family member is not home.  Never tell anyone you are alone in your residence.

• Do not display your name on the exterior of your residence, such as your welcome mat or mailbox.

• Be cautious about entering an elevator, parking garage, or laundry room where an unknown person is present.  If you feel uncomfortable, exit as soon as possible.

• Place a lock on your exterior fuse or switch boxes.

• Use an unlisted and unpublished phone number.

• When you go on a trip, don't advertise your absence.  Stop all deliveries.  Have your lights, television, and radio set on timing devices.

• If a door or window has been forced or broken while you were gone, do not go inside.  Call the police immediately.

Safety Tips While Walking:

• Look up, be aware of your surroundings.  Walk with confidence and purpose.  Be alert, look and listen.

• Have your keys ready in your hand when approaching your car or residence.

• Listening to music with a headset can impair your ability to hear when someone is approaching.

• Be aware of any vehicles driving or people walking in close proximity to you.

• If someone starts walking toward you, and you feel uncomfortable, consider entering the nearest business or crossing the street.

• If you feel that you are being followed, walk toward an area where there are other people and call the police or ask someone to make the call for you.

• If you own a cell phone, carry it with you.

• Keep your purse or wallet close to your body.  Be prepared to let it go if grabbed.

• Do not hitchhike.  Refuse rides from strangers.

Safety Tips While In Your Vehicle and Driving:

• Never enter your car until you check to make sure it is unoccupied.

• Do not leave your car unattended while the engine is running.

• If you have a remote, use it to unlock your doors.  If your vehicle is equipped with programmable locking, program only the driver's door to unlock.  Program the doors to lock automatically when you place the key into the ignition.

• Avoid traveling through remote or unfamiliar areas at night.

• Place your purse or valuables under the seat, on the floor, or in the trunk prior to your destination.

• Know the location of police departments, fire stations, and hospitals in the areas where you live and work.

• Keep the doors on your vehicle locked at all times - especially while traveling.

• Keep your vehicle well maintained.  Keep your gas tank full.  Consider obtaining locks for your gas cap.

• When fueling your vehicle, turn off the engine, lock the doors, and take the key with you when you pay.

• Do not leave valuables in your vehicle, even if your vehicle is parked inside of your garage.

• Do not leave your garage door opener inside of your vehicle.

• Always maintain an adequate maneuvering distance ahead and behind your vehicle.  Become thoroughly familiar with your routes of travel, the surrounding areas, and names of side streets.

• Look in your rear view mirror often.

• If you have a flat tire, drive on it until you reach a safe, well-lit, and well-traveled area.

• Don't stop to assist a stranger on the side of the road.  Contact the Police Department.

If you do not feel safe when stopped by a plain-clothes police officer driving an unmarked car, follow these tips: