Mott Community College
Department of Public
Safety
D E C E MB E R 2 012
HOLIDAY SHOPPING SAFETY
Black Friday and Cyber Monday are behind us but hey, you’ve still got some shopping left to do! For what you couldn’t accomplish on that Friday or Monday, you
may find yourself out and about during the Holiday Season. Crime knows no season, just opportunity. But with this season comes lots of opportunity. Mitigate that
opportunity with these tips, some you may already practice and some you may not
have thought about:
Inside this issue:
Holiday Shopping Safety
1
Holiday Decorating Safety
2
Blotter
2
If you must carry a purse or wallet, place your wallet in your front pocket
and clutch your purse under your arm. Should you decide to place your
purse in the front portion of a shopping cart, keep your eyes on it and in
sight at all times. Turning your back or leaving the cart with your purse
unattended provides just enough opportunity for a criminal.
Walk in well lighted areas and established paths or walkways. Know where
you are headed before leaving the store or your vehicle. Criminals look for
weaknesses. Look and act as though you know where you are going.
Supervise the children with you. Review stranger danger. Remind them of
how to find help if you should become separated and designate a meeting
point. Accompany them to the restroom or send them with a friend.
Do not dress children in clothing with their name on it. This is an open
invitation for predators to “know” your child.
Do not hesitate to ask for a security escort if you feel unsafe.
If you see something suspicious, out of place or just not quite right, let the
authorities know about it.
Allow yourself a little extra time to build safety into your holiday. The few moments it may take to assess and be aware of your surroundings can make a difference. Above all else, trust your instincts!
Call Us—We Can Help!
• Emergency
(810) 762-5666
• Non-emergency
(810) 762-0222
•
Campus Closing
(810) 232-8989
Be Victorian This Holiday Season
In the Victorian era, families had candles on their Christmas trees. The candles
were lit but just once on Christmas Eve. It was a beautiful sight! But it came
with a price. They had to be very careful not to start an unwanted fire! Standing
by were buckets of water and sand. And the tree was strategically placed near a
door for a quick tossing of the tree if needed. How safety conscientious of them!
As you enjoy holiday decorations this season, be Victorian. Keep your safety in
mind. Turn off the holiday lights before bed or when leaving home. If your tree
is live, keep it watered. Extinguish candles when you leave the room. Do not
leave candles unattended and keep them away from decorations, curtains, drafts
and a child’s reach. Childproof your fireplace, considering a hearth gate. Dispose of wrapping paper in the trash, not the fire., as wrapping paper can cause a
flash fire. (Or consider environment-friendly options to wrapping gifts instead.)
The door to safety
swings on the hinges of
Enjoy your Holiday Season—safely!
common sense.”
- Unknown
Blotter
Here are some of the items that brought about a police response in November.
♦ Subject arrested for disorderly conduct in the Ballenger Field House.
♦ Subject arrested for domestic assault on Court Street.
♦ Subject arrested for disorderly conduct in the Prahl College Center.
♦ Report taken of a phone stolen from the Disability Network. The phone was
later recovered on Grand Traverse St.
♦ Arrested three subjects for trespassing at the Mott Memorial Building
♦ Arrest of a subject attempting to sell a stolen book back to the Follett
Bookstore.
♦ A subject with suicidal threats was detained awaiting pick up from Lapeer
County Sheriff’s office.
♦ Subject arrested for trespassing and resisting arrest near the Mott Memorial
Building.
♦ Juvenile detained for possession of drug paraphernalia; released to a parent.
♦ Responded to an altercation between three females at the MTA bus stop on
Horrigan Drive.
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December 2012