Protection Against Crimes
General Advice According to Police Recommendations

Even though you may protect yourself by following all of these recommendations, you may still fall victim of a crime. While there is no guarantee, these tips will help.

Protection against Property:

• Keep your property in a locked place. It is recommended to install an alarm system and to activate it when leaving your house or car.
• Valuables should be kept in a safe, or preferably, in the bank.
• The rules concerning firearms are different in Israel therefore please refer to the Ministry of the Interior to receive instructions on how to lock your gun.
• Make a list of all of your valuables, describing and photographing them. This will make it easier to identify them after a theft. This is especially true concerning jewelry!
• Keys (house and car) should be kept on your person. Do not add them to your general bunch of keys. Do not identify the name and place on a key or put them in a secret hiding place.

Protection against Car Theft:

• Install an alarm system.
• If the car is insured, be sure you have the right alarm for your car according to the insurance company requirements.
• Lock the car wheels, at least.
• When parking your car at night, choose an open place where it can be easily seen by passers-by.

Protection against break- ins and thefts in homes and businesses:

• If possible, your front door should be made of steel and have the approval of the Israel Standards Institute. Install a spy-hole in the door and be sure to check the identity of anyone wanting to come in.
• The door locks should have a long latch and reliable bolt holder. Change the lock when moving to an apartment which has been lived in by someone else.
• It is advisable to attach metal bars on ground-floor windows of houses and businesses. It is also advisable to close and lock the shutters when you are asleep or when you are out of the house.
• When going on a vacation do not leave signs that there is no one at home.
• Light up any sensitive places and when leaving the house for few days it is advisable to leave at least one light on, timers can help.

Protection against attacks on the elderly:

• Do not carry large sums of money with you. Use a checkbook but never sign any blank check.
• Keep your money in an inner pocket of your jacket or shirt. Do not count money in a public place and be careful not to leave your purse open.
• When out alone at night walk in a lighted area, keep away from the curb and keep your purse under your armpit.
• Do not make financial decisions under pressure or when in a difficult medical situation.
• Keep in regular contact with neighbors and members of the family.

Protection against violence in the family and threatening harassment:

• You can apply to the magistrates’ and Family Court to get a Protection order or Injunction against threatening harassment.
• If the offender violates the order or instructions of the court or of a police officer, contact the police immediately and make a complaint.
• If you need advice before leaving your partner, an emergency shelter or other help, you can contact the Social Services Department in the area where you live or the Center for Prevention of Family Violence.
• If the offender, or anyone acting on his behalf, tries to threaten you or persuade you not to make a complaint, contact the police immediately to make a complaint. Be sure to follow the instructions that the police give you on this matter.

Sincerely,

Tzvi Szajnbrum, Attorney at Law