Hamilton County, Indiana

The Indiana State Police at the Peru District would like to alert Hoosiers of a scam for money. Individuals are posing as associates of the Indiana State Police and are collecting money for needy children for Thanksgiving.

Starting on October 22^nd of this year, two subjects, a white male approximately 45 to 50 years old wearing glasses and a younger male who made phone calls to individuals went door to door trying to collect the money. The two were seen in a small dark gray or black Toyota sedan with a tow bar attachment on the front with Kentucky plates. The suspects did produce Kentucky Driver’s License when asked for identification and they stated they were associated with the Indiana State Police. If you are approached or contacted by phone by these individuals, contact First Sergeant Bob Land of the Peru State Police Post at 1-800-382-0689 or 765-473-6666.

Citizens of Indiana should be aware that the Indiana State Police does not go door to door soliciting money for any reason. If you are approached for a donation from a solicitor going door to door, get a contact number, full information from the person requesting the money, research the organization that is requesting the money, and contact them to see if this is the protocol the organization follows when collecting the money. If they are a reputable organization, they will not be offended if you ask these questions and would come back another time to collect. If they are not willing to cooperate, contact your local police department or the Indiana State Police and report the incident. It is your money so protect it the best you can!

Halloween may be a fun holiday for children, but for parents the holiday can be a little tricky. To help parents and children have a safe and enjoyable Halloween, the Indiana State Police offers the following safety tips.

The Costume

• Keep costumes short to prevent trips and falls.

• Try make-up instead of a mask. Masks often obstruct a child’s vision, which makes tasks like crossing the street and going up and down stairs dangerous.

• Make sure children wear light colors or put reflective tape on their costumes.

Trick or Treating

• Make sure older children trick-or-treat with friends. Together, map out a safe route so parents know where they will be.

• Instruct children to stop only at familiar homes where the outside lights are on.

• Encourage children to trick-or-treat while it is still light out. If children are out after dark, make sure they have flashlights and travel on well-lighted streets.

• Remind children not to enter the homes or cars of strangers.

• Follow your communities trick-or-treating hours.

Treats

• Remind children not to eat any of their treats until they get home.

• Check all treats at home in a well-lighted place.

• Only eat unopened candies and other treats that are in original wrappers. Remember to inspect fruits for anything suspicious.

Additionally, many communities, schools and churches offer children safe alternatives to trick-or-treating designed to keep children safely within parents’ view. Some hospitals and schools allow children to trick-or-treat by going from room to room virtually eliminating the dangers associated with being out walking on the street after dark.

When you leave on vacation, go to work, or just leave for an hour or two, is your house easy access to burglars or other intruders? There are some easy steps to follow to keep unwanted visitors from making entry to your house and help keep you from becoming a victim. Your Indiana State Police offers the following tips to curb the opportunity of criminals to make you a target.

• Lock your doors. That includes basement, side, and front door. Be sure your garage door is down and locked. Don’t make it easy for an intruder to get in. Do not broadcast you are leaving on a certain date and returning on a certain date.

• Have motion lights installed around the perimeter of the home. Especially in front of doors and windows. That way if someone is at the door you can see them at night.

• Make your home look like someone is there. Put lights inside and outside the home on timers to come on at dusk and go off at your regular time you retire for the evening. Put your radio or TV on a timer to go on and off each night. Do not set up your voicemail machine to give the date when you are gone and the date when you will return.

• Stop your mail and newspaper delivery. Newspapers and mail are a big clue you are gone. Stop delivery or have someone get your mail daily.

• Have someone check your house on a daily basis while you are gone. Be sure they check doors and windows. Check randomly each day. Start a neighborhood watch program. Become a good neighbor while others are away. Add an alarm system to your home.

Helping Police Solve the Crime

• Do Not Enter Your Home: Let the police check the house and collect evidence to help in solving the crime. Do not walk around the house or pick up anything in the yard.

• Call the Police: Let the police check the home in case someone is still inside. Call from a cell phone or a neighbor’s home.

• Write down the license plate, description of the vehicle, and description of the possible suspects leaving the home. Do not pursue the vehicle. Call 911 and give a detailed description and the route of travel.