The following text may have been generated by Optical Character Recognition, with varying degrees of accuracy. Reader beware!

Avoid being a crime statistic Continuing our fight against crime from last week, here are some more "crime opportunities" in which you can reduce your chances of becoming a victim. While out enjoying everything our fine community has to offer, stay on common routes, or paths that are in clear view of the general public. While walking on the sidewalk, walk towards traffic to reduce the chances for a suspicious vehicle or person to creep up behind you. After going to the bank, never display your money in view of others. If you carry a purse keep it close to you... not in a shopping cart. Purses, grocery bags and other store bought packages can draw your focus away from your surroundings and other crime opportunities. Try not to burden yourself with armfuls of items. Have your car keys in hand as you approach your car so you don't have to linger in the parking lot to look for them. How about valuables in your car? Are they out of sight, or better yet, not there at all? Perfect. What about the plethora of frauds and scams you say? Are you changing your PINs often? Covering your number entry with your hand so observant Const. Chris Borak individuals don't gain access to your life's savings? Do you scrutinize your credit card bills to look for unusual purchases or that special code that appears on the back of your credit card... don't give that to anyone, unless you initiated the call! There are so many more crime opportunities... but the last thing I want to recommend is for you to make eye contact with the people around you, it will tell them that you are paying attention, you see them, and as a result, you are likely not as easy a victim as they had hoped or planned. Contact me personally for crime prevention tips at 905-878 5511 ext. 2470, or by e-mailing chris.borak@hrps.on.ca. Please reserve the 911 system for emergency calls only. --Const. Chris Borak is the community support officer for District 1