Auto Theft Prevention

The following suggestions are things the vehicle owner/driver can do to deter their vehicle from theft:

1. Keep the vehicle locked and remove expensive valuables.
2. Park the vehicle in the driveway/garage and/or block it in the driveway with another vehicle.
3. Use of an anti-theft device: "The Club" or alarm system.
4. Notify your neighbors to be more watchful of suspicious activity/vehicles.

Please help us keep the community safer. Any questions, please contact the Royal Oak Police at the non-emergency number (248)246-3500

Emergency: 911In the event you observe a crime in progress, do not attempt to take action yourself. Act as our eyes and ears and call 911 while observing the suspect(s).

1. Try to obtain a vehicle description using the acronym CYMBAL:
   C - Color
   Y - Year
   M - Make
   B - Body style
   A - And
   L - License plate
2. Direction of travel.
3. Suspect(s) description: number of suspects, race, gender, clothing and any other identifiable characteristic.

If you are interested in being a member of The Royal Oak Neighborhood Watch, contact the office at (248) 246-3424.

Children and the Law

Your Child and the Law

Dear Parents and Youth,

It is important that both parents and youth be aware of the consequences connected with violations of the law. This brochure provides you with information regarding law violations that often bring young people into contact with the police and the court system.

There are consequences for violations of the law. Your child’s age determines whether the juvenile court or local and county criminal courts have jurisdiction.

We urge you to take a few moments to become familiar with the information included here.

The Royal Oak Community Coalition and the Royal Oak Police Department are striving to create a safe, substance abuse free environment within which our youth may achieve their maximum potential. Do not hesitate to contact us if we can assist you or your family in any way.

The following brochure, which was a cooperative effort by the Royal Oak Community Coalition and the Royal Oak Police Department, provides you with information regarding law violations that often bring young people into contact with the police and the court system. Check here for a printer friendly pdf version of Your Child and the Law.

Raising a child in today’s world is difficult. Children may experience various emotional and behavioral problems as they grow. It is important to intervene early when problems are most easily solved. Some resources to consider are: school counselors and social workers, clergy, community counseling services, the school Student Assistance program, and self-help groups such as Alcoholics Anonymous, Alanon and Families Anonymous.

Other community resources are:

Parental Responsibility Ordinance

In Royal Oak, this ordinance requires parent(s) of a child (under 17) to exercise reasonable control over their child to prevent them from committing any delinquent act. Civil fines ranging from $100 - $500. For a look a the complete ordinance check here: Ordinance 2006-10.

Crime Prevention - Business

Crime Prevention Information for the Business Community

Vagrants Hanging Around?

When the weather is cold, the vagrants look for a warm place to stay during the daytime hours until the shelters open at night. Please realize if they loiter in your business, you may ask them to leave. If they refuse to leave, they are now committing the crime of trespassing and you may call the police on the non-emergency line (246-3500) and ask for assistance to help remove loiterers from your place of business. These loiterers can be ticketed and/or arrested for trespassing if they refuse to leave after being asked by a representative of the business in the presence of a police officer.

Loitering

A person commits the offense of loitering if he loiters, remains or wanders about in a public place for the purpose of begging.

Trespassing Ordinance

A person commits the offense of trespass if he enters or remains in or upon premises when he is not invited, licensed or otherwise privileged to do so. A person may stay on the premises unless they are asked to vacate the premises by personal communication to him by the owner of the premises or some other authorized person, or unless notice is given by posting in a conspicuous manner.

Crime Prevention Suggestions

Improve the area around your business so that it does not attract unwanted persons. Keep the area well lit with outside lighting, break down large boxes and throw them away promptly and keep bushes tightly trimmed and neat. If vagrants can’t find a place to hide that is dark they will be less likely to trespass on your property.

A Crime is Committed. . . .

The Department recommends that you avoid physical confrontations with shoplifters or other criminal offenders.

If a person is committing a crime inside your business, get the best possible description of the suspect and call the police. Then, if the suspect leaves the area, the police in the neighborhood can look for the suspect.

If the suspect is not caught but we can determine who the suspect is and you would like to prosecute this person, you will be required to testify in court about what you observed. Again, a good description of the suspect and incident are very important at this time.

If a Serious Crime Occurs That Calls for Immediate Attention,

CALL 9-1-1

If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call the Community Policing/Crime Prevention office
Monday through Friday, 8am - 4pm
(248) 246-3524

Royal Oak Police Department
221 East Third Street
Royal Oak MI 48067
(248) 246-3500

Identity Theft

How to Secure your Identity from Thieves

The Royal Oak Police Department has had several calls concerning Identity Theft.

Identity theft is when a thief steals an individuals’ identity by stealing credit cards, checks, bank accounts and personal information, such as Social Security numbers, driver’s license numbers and employment histories. Armed with your personal information, a thief can buy new cars, empty your bank accounts, and ultimately, steal all of your assets in your name!

The good news is that, together, we can prevent this insidious crime.

Recommendations:

• Never give out your Social Security number, driver’s license, any bank or credit account numbers or other identifying information unless you know the person or organization or you initiated contact.
• Treat checkbooks, ATM cards, credit cards, and credit card offers as if they are cash - protect them!
• Before discarding, you should shred all personal information.
• Notify financial institutions and credit card companies before relocating to a new home or care facility.
• Have your mail held at the post office when going on vacation or into the hospital.
• Cancel all unneeded credit cards.
• Say "NO" to credit card offers by calling 1-888-5-opt-out (567-8688)
• Make copies of all credit cards that are in your wallet and keep them in a safe place. This is in case you need to report a credit card stolen or any other kind of identity theft.
• Review financial and credit card statements each month for unauthorized activity.
• Obtain and review a copy of your credit report each year. 
  
  The Three Major Credit Reporting Agencies: 

  Experian
  www.experian.com
  To order a report call: (888) 397-3742
  To report fraud call: (888) EXPERIAN

  Equifax
  www.equifax.com
  To order a report call: (800) 685-1111
  To report fraud call: (800) 525-6285

  TransUnion
  www.transunion.com
  To order a report call: (800) 888-4213
  To report a fraud call: (800) 680-7289

Per the Federal Trade Commission as of March 1, 2005, Michigan Residents can obtain a FREE copy of your credit reports. Go to the following website for more information: www.ftc.gov/bcp/conline/edcams/credit/ycr_free_reports.htm

If you are a victim of identity theft, notify the Michigan Attorney General’s Office at 1-800-24-ABUSE (242-2873)

The key to protecting yourself and the people you love from identity theft is to prevent it from happening in the first place.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact community policing at (248) 246-3424.

Jury Duty Scam

Information provided by the Royal Oak Police Department.

Most of us take summons for jury duty seriously, but enough people skip out on their civic duty, that a new and ominous kind of scam has surfaced.

The caller claims to be a jury coordinator. If you protest that you never received a summons for jury duty, the scammer asks you for your social security number and date of birth so he/she can verify the information and cancel the arrest warrant.

Give out any of this information and bingo; your identity just got stolen.

The scam has been reported so far in 11 states, including Oklahoma, Illinois, and Colorado.

This (scam) is particularly insidious because they use intimidation over the phone to try to bully people into giving information by pretending they're with the court system.

Never give personal information over the telephone.

Online Safety

Online Safety Information for Parents from WiredKids.org

Do you know who you’re talking to?
  Report a Creep at 1-877-5cyber3 (1-877-529-2303) - Michigan State Police

If you have any questions, please feel free to call (248) 246-3424.