Crime Prevention Tips From The NYPD’s 61st Precinct

While the 61st Precinct remains one of the lowest crime areas in New York City, we, like the rest of the city, are still plagued by a variety of relatively minor crimes, including theft of electronics, scam artists, and ATM schemes.

As part of the effort to reduce these crimes, the 61st Precinct has pledged to increase communication with local community and ethnic news outlets to provide tips to keep residents safe and combat neighborhood crime trends. This is the first set of tips in what we hope will be many. Please read them and use caution and common sense in any situations where you might be vulnerable to crime.

The term “Shoulder Surfing” refers to the criminal practice of looking over the shoulder of a victim using an ATM, taking the victim’s pin# and withdrawing cash.  The perpetrators generally work in groups of 2 or 3 and linger inside the vestibule area near the ATM machine.  Once an unassuming victim enters and swipes their ATM card into the machine, one perpetrator will approach and state “This machine is out of order use the next one.” Another perpetrator then engages that machine to keep it from timing out while the accomplice looks over the shoulder of the victim and notes the pin#.  Once the pin# is obtained, the perpetrators then use the original ATM the victim entered their card into to access the victim’s account withdrawing cash.

Do not give your ATM “PIN” number to anyone or allow someone to stand close enough where they might be able to see you enter your “PIN” number.

1. When entering your ATM “PIN” number use your other hand to cover the key pad as you enter your “PIN”.
2. Always close out your session before leaving the ATM machine.
3. Don’t hold the door!  Each person should use their own Bank card to gain access to the ATM vestibule.
4. Always check your surroundings when entering the ATM vestibule area, if the area is crowded consider conducting your transaction at the teller window.
5. Consider the time it takes you to conduct a transaction at an ATM, if someone seems to be hanging around the ATM area longer than necessary, alert the bank management.
6. While conducting an after hours ATM transaction take a moment to observe activity in and around the facility before you commit to using the ATM.
7. Remember “If you see something, say something” call 911 and report suspicious activity.

Deception Burglary– a burglary committed by a person(s) that gains entry to the home by posing as an employee of a particular company. This impersonation includes but is not limited to, utility companies, delivery companies and construction companies such as plumbing or electrical contractors. A common explanation is “A pipe broke down the block and we have to check the water.” Once inside the perpetrator(s) manipulate and distract a victim in order to obtain their valuables.

• Don’t Become  A Victim, Don’t Let them In
• Verify The request by calling 311 for DEP water company issues
• To verify Con Edison call 1-800-752-6633
• Don’t hesitate to call 911

These crimes are often targeted at elderly victims during normal business hours (9 a.m. – 5 p.m.) making them less likely to question the situation.

The Crime Prevention Section would like to share the following information to help avoid you becoming a victim of a deception burglary:

If someone comes to your door offering work inside your home and you were never contacted in advance or requested such work:

• Don’t open the door
• Stay inside your home
• Verify his/her I.D. through the view finder
• Contact the company to verify employee’s I.D. (company numbers could be looked up via internet or on your bill)
• Keep a list of utility companies phone numbers in a convenient location
• Do not invite anyone into your home while you verify a “work order” and person at your door
• If you can’t verify the I.D. ,you feel unsafe or suspect criminal activity call 911 immediately

• Remain Alert – Be aware of your surroundings and don’t get lost in your electronic device.
• Avoid displaying Electronic devices in crowded public places
• Don’t leave your property unattended
• If you’re an iPhone user, sign up for the free “Find my iPhone” feature offered by Apple
• Contact the 61st Precinct’s Crime Prevention Officer and register your Electronic Device with the “Operation ID” program. Call Police Officer Giannopoulos at 718-627-6832.