by California Casualty | Safety |
There is nothing worse than going to the place you last parked your car and finding it gone. That has become the sad reality for many in California, where nine cities of the most recent 10 vehicle theft “Hot Spots” report are now located. It’s the first time the Golden State has held that distinction since the National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) created the report dating back to 1984.
The top five metropolitan Hot Spots statistical areas were all located in the northern half of the state:
- Bakersfield, CA
- Fresno, CA
- Modesto, CA
- San Francisco Bay Area
- Stockton-Lodi, CA
The only non-California area in the dubious top ten was Spokane, Washington, which came in at 7.
MSAs are often larger areas than just the city, often encompassing entire counties. They are officially designated by the federal Office of Management and Budget.
The little bit of good news is that after a spike in vehicle thefts in 2012, the numbers across the country are slightly down this year. Even so, the NICB recommends everyone use these layers of anti-theft precautions:
Common Sense — The common sense approach to protection is the easiest and most cost-effective way to thwart would-be thieves. You should always:
- Remove your keys from the ignition
- Lock your doors /close your windows
- Park in a well-lit area
Warning Device — The second layer of protection is a visible or audible device which alerts thieves that your vehicle is protected. Popular devices include:
- Audible alarms
- Steering column collars
- Steering wheel/brake pedal lock
- Brake locks
- Wheel locks
- Theft deterrent decals
- Identification markers in or on vehicle
- VIN etching
- Micro dot marking
Immobilizing Device — The third layer of protection is a device which prevents thieves from bypassing your ignition and hot-wiring the vehicle. Some electronic devices have computer chips in ignition keys. Other devices inhibit the flow of electricity or fuel to the engine until a hidden switch or button is activated. Some examples are:
- Smart keys
- Fuse cut-offs
- Kill switches
- Starter, ignition, and fuel pump disablers
- Wireless ignition authentication
Tracking Device — The final layer of protection is a tracking device which emits a signal to police or a monitoring station when the vehicle is stolen. Tracking devices are very effective in helping authorities recover stolen vehicles. Some systems employ “telematics” which combine GPS and wireless technologies to allow remote monitoring of a vehicle. If the vehicle is moved, the system will alert the owner and the vehicle can be tracked via computer.
by California Casualty | Peace Officers |
The modern law enforcement station needs to be adequately prepared to deal with weapon security issues. Guns used by the station need to be properly stored to ensure that unauthorized individuals do not have access, yet they also need to be readily accessible when officers need them in a crisis situation. These four weapon storage solutions will help meet both of these needs. This article is part 1 of a three-part series highlighting storage options that the modern law enforcement agency needs to understand. You can read parts 2 and 3 here.
Gun Lockers
Law enforcement professionals often face situations where a trip to the weapons room to safely check in and store their gun in its required location is not possible. In instances like these, gun lockers can provide a well-organized temporary storage place to keep weapons safe. Having gun lockers mounted in interview rooms, common areas and other parts of the facility will allow handgun security to be accessed quickly and stored easily. With dedicated and master keys for each opening, gun lockers ensure that only those allowed are able to access the firearms. The availability of both floor- and wall-mounted gun lockers makes this a practical option for facilities of all shapes and sizes.
Gun Racks
Gun racks are an essential part of most stations. Weapon racks keep gun and ammo stored where it is readily accessible, yet secure when not in use. These units either lock tightly when the guns are not in use or use electronic locks connected to the RFID tracking system to keep guns securely in place to keep unauthorized personnel from having access to the weapons. They also allow for tracking of each piece, so your facility will always know who has which firearm.
For facilities that have many types of firearms, universal weapon racks are an ideal fit. These can be adjusted to accommodate firearms of varying sizes. They are also designed to allow weapons to be stored in ready-to-use condition, often with optics and accessories stored directly on the weapon.
Portable Weapon Storage Racks
What happens when a large number of weapons need to head to the field, such as in a tactical operation or a hostage situation? Does security take a back seat to the urgency of the problem? The answer should be “no.”
Portable weapons storage options are essential to a station that often needs to transport weapons to the field. With mobile storage units similar to the universal weapons rack, facilities can have a collection of weapons that they can take with them in the field while still maintaining the security that is required of a responsible station. These units are small, easy to maneuver and take up little space in the transport vehicle, but are carefully designed to hold a large number of firearms and ammunition.
Portable Gun Boxes
Many police departments require their officers to keep unused guns safely stored, even in transport. When just one handgun needs to head into the field and the officer does not need to wear it, a portable gun box is the ideal solution.
Locked and secure, these boxes make the handgun easy to transport without sacrificing the security of the situation. Designed to be lightweight and easy to carry, these boxes come in sizes to fit almost any handgun. Interior cushioning prevents jostling when the box is being moved so it is ready to use without damage when the gun and officer arrive at the location.
Author Bio: Denny Hammack is the President of Patterson Pope, a leading provider of storage solutions for the public safety industry since 1972.
by California Casualty | Auto Insurance Info |
As Americans hit the roads for the summer driving season, your vacation trip can be less expensive if you maintain your vehicle for the best gas mileage. Here are six tips from Carcare.org on increasing the miles you get from each gallon of fuel:
- Tune up – properly tuned vehicles can improve gas mileage by an average of 4 percent
- Tire Pressure – proper inflation can net a 3 percent gas mileage improvement
- Motor Oil – get a 1 or 2 percent increase in mileage by using the grade of motor oil recommended by the manufacturer
- Air Filters – replacing clogged filters adds mileage and improves auto performance
- Gas Cap – damaged or missing caps allow fuel to vaporize
- Fix It – getting a serious maintenance problem like a faulty oxygen sensor fixed can improve mileage by as much as 40 percent
The U.S. Department of Energy also has an entire webpage filled with tips on driving more economically and estimating the gas mileage of every vehicle on the road.
by California Casualty | Nominate a Hero |
How to Vote for John
Voting is now closed. Stay tuned for next month’s finalists.
Be sure to read all our heroes’ stories here.
John has been working as a Firefighter/EMS for almost 25 years with 2 different departments. He is a local hero, rescuing neighbors and friends. Outside of the job, he often helps in the community, and treats everyone like family.
John has been a true inspiration for his own family. He son is also a paramedic/firefighter, and his wife also works with the department. On or off duty, John is always willing to help people. He enjoys teaching CPR to the community to help prepare for emergency situations.
by California Casualty | Nominate a Hero |
How to Vote for Dustin
Voting is now closed. Congrats to Dustin for being Hero of the Month! Stay tuned for next month’s finalists.
Be sure to read all our heroes’ stories here.
In 2000, Dustin realized he wanted to work in law enforcement, and soon after, he started with the Shasta County Sheriff’s office. He put in his time working with the local jail, and soon made it to patrol.
In October 2010, Mrs. Reynolds received the call no police wife wants: “You need to come to the hospital, there has been an accident.” Dustin was in the hospital receiving 28 staples in his head from a harrowing altercation.
Now that he has recovered, Dustin makes a strong impact on his community. He works as a Detective for the Shasta County Coroner’s Office, and is noted for his ability to offer comfort for other families during tough times in their lives.
Dustin continues to do presentations at local schools, showing children what life is like in law enforcement. He is also very active in coaching youth football.
