Trading Card Crime Prevention
13 November 2005
AIM: To create collector cards to educate the public on how to keep themselves safe
and to prevent crime at the same time as they earn rewards.
Standard Cards
A collection of ‘trading cards’ could be distributed to the public with hints, tips and checklists on how to keep themselves and their property safe as well as avoiding being a victim of crime.
Platinum Cards
These could be given to the public by police officers (etc) with rewards written on them, similar to what the police are currently doing but more to the point of extending it.
Gold Cards
These could be given out for good behaviour, use of initiative, helping other people, kind and generous acts etc.
School Children
They could earn rewards for their school by earning points for educating their classmates, family, friends and the public . . . crime prevention. They could also earn points for promoting the cards, pop quizzes based on their crime prevention knowledge, thinking up crime prevention ideas etc. The points could be used for daytrips, classroom computers, concerts held at their school and promotional giveaways etc.
Police
Cops could also be rewarded with prizes and promotions because they deserve a lot more bonuses and rewards for the job they do.
Competitions
Each standard card could have a number on the front of it with a letter on the back, bottom right corner. Gaining sponsorship from a newspaper, radio and TV Station, several card numbers could be called out and members of the public can enter the competition. This can encourage the public to collect all the cards and memorise ways to keep themselves safe and crime prevention methods. Radio stations could also run a weekly promotional pop quiz and the public could go into the running to win some great prizes.
Card Details
The cards could be made of a good quality material, just like trading cards with great graphics which would entice the public to want to become more involved in this program and collect the cards on a long term basis.
Funds
These cards be co-funded by corporations, businesses and the government.
Sponsorships (examples)
Media: The West Australian newspaper, 94.5 FM and Channel 7.
Cinemas: Hoyts and Greater Union.
Restaurants: McDonalds, Wendys, Sizzlers.
Bonus Goals
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Encourage the public to come up with new crime prevention ideas and methods.
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Encourage school children to use their creativity and talents to benefit the public and assist in decreasing crime.
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Create better relationships between the police and young people.
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Assist the public in seeing a greater side of the police.
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Get the public more involved in enforcing new crime prevention ideas and methods.
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A game that anyone can play.
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Decrease crime rates.
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Encourage neighbours to become more familiar with their neighbourhoods and who they are living near instead of living in a society full of strangers.
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Encourage people to help and look out for each other.
Crime Prevention and Safety Information
Examples of card information
Bicycles
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A brief diagram of three or four bikes locks, detailing the differences. A combination lock, a cheap lock, a flimsy lock and a very good quality lock. “The drawbacks of buying a cheap bike lock”.
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How to tie up your bike. For some reason, people are locking up their bike with their bike lock through their tyres. Do they wonder why they are a victim of crime when all that is left is the tyre?
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A brief diagram of three or four bike helmets. The Americans have an excellent slogan “Buy a $10 helmet if you have a $10 head”. The drawbacks of buying a cheap helmet.
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Why the police want people to wear a helmet whilst riding a bike.
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“One second is all it takes” – leaving your bike unlocked for only a few seconds outside a deli, newsagency etc. (Card example, a boy is about to enter a deli when someone is already stealing his bike).
Security
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The drawbacks of buying a cheap padlock to protect your property.
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The advantages of installing a security alarm within your premises.
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The advantages of personal alarms, particularly for older people.
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How to protect your rental property.
Safety
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The dangers of walking alone at night.
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The importance of following bush trails.
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How you can protect yourself in dangerous areas.
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The importance of keeping contact with loved ones during road trips.
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The safe way to carrying your handbag.
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How to protect yourself against rape.
Identity Theft
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The importance of protecting your mailbox with padlocks and other security measures.
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How to prevent identity theft – checklist.
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The importance of destroying your details (bills, bank statements) before placing them in the bin (impressing that a shredder is a good way to go).
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Keeping an eye on your bank and credit card accounts.
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Keeping an eye on your credit reports.
Stealing
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How to remember your PIN and how to keep it safe.
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How to safely type in your PIN.
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How to withdraw money from an ATM with safe precautions.
Internet
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Safeguarding your privacy on the Internet.
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Dangers of buying on an unsecured site.
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Dangers of storing your credit card information on the internet.
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How to avoid having a hacker key-log your computer.
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The importance of regularly changing your passwords.
Vehicle
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Leaving your car safe – checklist.
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How to avoid road rage.
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The dangers of picking up strangers.
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Safeguarding your car against accidents (bald tyres, how often to change your brake pads etc).
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What to do when you are the first one to reach a crash scene.
Premises
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Leaving your home safe for the holidays – checklist.
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The drawbacks of having mail sticking out of your mailbox.
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The advantages of joining Neighbourhood Watch.
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Having trees block the view of your house can block the public sight of a robber.
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Storing your jewellery and expensive possessions within your home.
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The importance of engraving electronics and valued possessions.
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Using automatic sockets to turn on your lighting when you are not at home.
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The benefits of communicating with your neighbours.
Drugs and Alcohol
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What to do when you think someone has OD.
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Identifying different drugs.
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Who to tell when you think someone is dealing drugs.
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Drugs and driving.
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The importance of eating with drinking.
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Responsible Driver Program.
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How to prevent drink spiking and what to do when you think you have been a victim.
Violence
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The Domestic Violence cycle.
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What to do if you are a victim of domestic violence.
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What to do if you think someone is been abused.
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What to do if you have been assaulted.
Crime
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How to preserve fingerprints at a crime scene (i.e. stay away from them and don’t touch until police have come).
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How to preserve DNA and other clues at a crime scene (as above).
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How to report crime.
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Techniques to remember offender descriptions.
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Techniques to remember offender car details.
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What to do if you see a suspicious loitering person / people.
Kids
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Tips to store matches and fire lighters.
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Tips to store flammable liquids.
Misc
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Benefits of learning First Aid.
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How to host a good party – checklist.
Media and responses unavailable