MERCER —
A couple dozen Mercer area residents came together in response to a number of home break-ins in the area to learn how to protect themselves and their neighborhoods.
Beverly Newton, a resident of East Lackawannock Township, decided to take a proactive approach and planned the public meeting, held Saturday at Mercer East End Fire Department’s hall.
Trooper Ronald Kesten, a community service officer with the Pennsylvania State Police from the Butler Barracks, discussed the measures people can take to make themselves, their families and their property safe.
“When I go out on my shift, safety is utmost on my mind. My main goal is to get home safely at the end of the shift,” Kesten said.
He pointed out the many tools that he has to keep him safe Ð pepper spray, baton, pistol and handcuffs Ð but said his ability to make good decisions is his most important tool.
“Handcuffs are not only for bad people but for good people who make bad decisions,” Kesten said.
Kesten encouraged the attendees to make good decisions regarding the safety of the family and homes.
“Lock your doors every time you leave your home Ð even if you are out in the yard,” he said. When people feel they live in a safe area they leave their doors unlocked. Kesten said residents can no longer leave their doors unlocked.
“A locked door is a deterrent. If you are home, it gives you time to leave by another door,” he said. “The locked door gives you reaction time.
“Lock your car,” he added.
He went on to explain that when there have been incidents in which items are taken from cars in a neighborhood, the cars that were left unlocked are the ones targeted. Those cars that were locked were not robbed.
“Women who live alone should never put their first name on their mail box. It is signal that there is a woman living alone there,” he said. “Don’t leave toys in the yard Ð that is a sure sign that children live there.”
He added that it’s best for women living alone to use a male friend to record their answering machine message, or use the automated voice that comes with many machines.
“Listen to your gut,” Kesten said. “If things don’t seem right, they probably aren’t. If you hear a noise at the neighbor’s, don’t ignore it. Be the best witness you can be Ð from a distance. Call 911 or the local police.”
Most importantly, “Look after each other,” he said. Police depend on citizens to notify them if something is wrong.
He also talked about how to be safe in a parking lot.
“Get your keys in your hand before you leave the store. Have your keys and your cell phone in your hands,” he said. “Walk with your head up; don’t be digging in your purse as you walk to your car. Looking up conveys a look of confidence. If someone approaches you that causes you concern, start a conversation on your cell phone: ‘I’m over here, do you see?’ You are indicating to someone who could consider doing you harm, that someone is watching.” he said. “When you are using eye contact, you can be a good witness.”
Attendees asked Kesten about having and using weapons for protection.
“If you have a gun, be prepared to use it,” he said. “Can you really shoot someone? Do you have the time to use the weapon or could it be used against you? Retreat if you can. It is always the better option.”
Further, he advised against women leaving their purses in their shopping carts. If the purse is stolen, the thief has their keys and home address.
One of the best security tools for a home is a dog, he added. Kesten further recommended installing outside lights, and encouraged everyone to put reflective house numbers at the end of their driveways so emergency personnel can find the house when needed.
If an incident does occur, one of the best things you can do is to be willing to show up as a witness; and if you aren’t a witness, show up anyway to support your neighbors, Kesten said.
While he can’t organize a Neighborhood Crime Watch for a neighborhood, Kesten encouraged the local citizens to get together to make their neighborhoods safer.
Homepage
Related Photos
-
Carol Ann Gregg/Allied News State police Trooper Ronald Kesten speaks to Mercer area residents at a crime prevention program Saturday at Mercer East End Fire Hall. Carol Ann Gregg/Allied News
Discussion
Taking a bite out of crime
Trooper shares safety tips with Mercer residents
- Local News
-
-
Viva Voce! benefits pantry
Viva Voce!, a vocal ensemble that features music from various eras and genres, will perform a benefit concert for the Grove City Community Food Pantry at 2 p.m. Sunday at Tower Presbyterian Church on South Broad Street, Grove City.
-
Tough times, tight space
There's more need than ever for places like the Northern Butler County Feed My Sheep Food Cupboard, which is planning yet another expansion to accommodate a growing number of clients.
-
Rape charges against 2 held for court
The cases against two New Castle men accused of raping a woman in September in Slippery Rock are proceeding to the Butler County Court of Common Pleas.
-
GCMC Baby New Year
Easton L. Culmer was the first Grove City area baby born in 2012 at Grove City Medical Center in Pine Township.
-
Outage goes as planned - this time
The third time was the charm as a scheduled power outage in Grove City went as planned Sunday.
-
Viva Voce! benefits pantry
- Sports
-
Slippery Rock's Ryan Currie looks to pass against Hickory recently.
-
HIGH SCHOOL WINTER SPORTS: Lakeview 5 passes the test
STONEBORO – In high school, teachers will give pretests as a way for their students to prepare for an upcoming exam.
The Lakeview Sailors (13-4) received their ‘pretest’ last Monday in the form of Region 5-AA foe Iroquois (8-7) and passed it with a solid ‘A’ by beating the Braves 73-53.
“We really wanted to make this somewhat of a statement game,” Lakeview coach Gary Burke said. “We know Iroquois is fighting for their lives to get into District 10 playoffs. We knew they took Mercyhurst Prep to the wire Friday night. We wanted to prove that we can play the game pretty well down here in the south. It’s been a long time since (Mercer County) team has gone to the playoffs and performed well. This was a great test for us to give us that Erie County flavor. I couldn’t be happier with the performance.” -
High School Football: Coleman too much in Rockets’ trip to Hickory
The foibles of the Philadelphia Eagles - poor tackling and turnovers - have been well documented through the NFL’s first five weeks. Friday night at Hornet Stadium, stalemated at the half with Slippery Rock High 14-all, Hickory was exhibiting some of those aforementioned shortcomings. But while floundering Philly feels its way toward finding a solution, the Hornets have their own anecdote: DeShawn Coleman.
-
Stay up to date with the Mercer County Sports Blog
Check out what's happening around the area with the schedules and scoreboards from high school football, NCAA football, other local sports, PC's Picks and the Allied News Bulletin Board. Click here
-
NCAA Football: Rock 6-1 after 17-3 win over Cal U
Slippery Rock University rode a length-of-the-field scoring drive by its offense and a goal-line stand by its No. 1-ranked defense late in the first half of action Saturday to a 17-3 win over 14th-ranked visiting California (Pa.).
-
NFL: Steelers top Jags as Mendenhall makes return
Mike Tomlin isn’t ready to say the Pittsburgh Steelers are back. Not after watching his team sleepwalk through the second half against Jacksonville on Sunday.
-
HIGH SCHOOL WINTER SPORTS: Lakeview 5 passes the test
- Death Listings
-
-
Deaths from Feb. 1, 2012
Bell, Elsie Margaret, 82, East Lackawannock Township.
Bucklew, Thomas "Tom" L., 41, Harrisville (Irwin Township), Venango County.
Davensizer, Gary Ray Sr., 60, Sharon.
Fletcher, Mildred M., 92, Hadley.
Keverline, Daniel E. "June," 79, Grove City, formerly of Kennerdell.
Michael, Dennis P., 70, Hilliards.
Myers, James J., 74, Stoneboro.
Nutt, Dorothy Cookson, 94, formerly of Grove City.
Thompson, Lynn Charles, 75, Butler. - Deaths from Jan. 28, 2012
- Deaths from Jan. 25, 2012
- Deaths from Jan. 21, 2012
- Deaths from Jan. 18, 2012
-
Deaths from Feb. 1, 2012
Romney Rolls to Easy Win in Nevada GOP Caucuses
Raw Video: Missing Family Found Alive in Ore.
Police Clear Tents From Occupy Site in DC
Killer of Fla. Girl Found in Landfill Gets Life
Army Orders Bradley Manning Court-martial
Cancer Charity Revives Breast-screening Grants
Heavy Snowstorm Hits Colorado On Its Way East
2nd Teacher From LA School Arrested on Sex Claim
Prosecutors Close Armstrong Inquiry, No Charges
Sights and Sounds: Football Fans Pour Into Indy
Unemployment Rate Down to 8.3%
Obama: Still Far Too Many Americans Need Jobs
GOP: Jobs Numbers Welcome, Can Do Better
Fla. Man Adopts Girlfriend in Legal Battle
More Deaths As Egypt Clashes Continue
Raw Video: Prince William in Falklands
Egpyt Protesters Blame Police for Soccer Deaths
'Lucky' 9-Year-Old Receives 6-Organ Transplant
Raw Video: Michelle Vs. Ellen in Pushup Contest
First Person: Will Peyton Manning Stay in Indy?
