Senior Constable & Community Liaison Officer Ash Dixit of the VIC police offers some advice
Safety when Driving
• Don’t pick up hitchhikers.
• Have car keys or remote entry ready when approaching your car.
• Always look through the car windows before getting into your car.
• Drive with your doors locked and windows wound up.
• If you are being followed, drive to a place where you can get help and attract attention: a police station, service (petrol) station, convenience store etc.
• Make sure you have enough fuel to reach your destination.
• Keep property, such as coins, sunglasses, laptops, iPods and mobile phones out of view.
• Park in well-lit areas.
Using ATMs Safely
• When using an Automatic Teller Machine (ATM)
• It is preferable to use an ATM in a well-lit place.
• Only take out what money you need.
• Don’t count your money in full view of strangers.
• Always put money and card away before leaving the ATM.
• Place money in a secure place like the front pocket of your pants, handbag or wallet.
• Do not place your money in your shirt pocket or back pocket.
• Don’t keep your PIN in your wallet or purse.
The Safety Plan
• Develop a safety plan. Planning ahead may enable you to think more clearly and provide you with the confidence to carry out the plan if things go wrong.
• Develop a network of people you can contact for assistance such as relatives, friends, neighbours, school /university teachers, shopkeepers and police.
• Program the emergency number 000 into your mobile phone.
• Tell people where you are going and what time you will return.
• Ask for help if you feel unsafe.
• Report any incident to police.
Donate To The Indian Sun
Dear Reader,The Indian Sun is an independent organisation committed to community journalism. We have, through the years, been able to reach a wide audience especially with the growth of social media, where we also have a strong presence. With platforms such as YouTube videos, we have been able to engage in different forms of storytelling. However, the past few years, like many media organisations around the world, it has not been an easy path. We have a greater challenge. We believe community journalism is very important for a multicultural country like Australia. We’re not able to do everything, but we aim for some of the most interesting stories and journalism of quality. We call upon readers like you to support us and make any contribution. Do make a DONATION NOW so we can continue with the volume and quality journalism that we are able to practice.
Thank you for your support.
Best wishes,
Team The Indian Sun
