Crime Stats and Prevention

ALL fireworks, including sparklers and snakes, are illegal to sell, possess or use in Fort Collins.

Colorado summers bring dry weather, heat and wildfires. Each July 4, thousands of people, mostly children and teens, get injured using consumer fireworks. Despite the dangers, few people understand the risks - severe burns, other injuries, fires and even death. It's important to know and follow fireworks laws in Fort Collins on July 4 and all season. Fireworks cause thousands of injuries every year, disturb neighbors, scare animals and could cost you a large fine. Attending a public fireworks display is always safer and legal!

When crimes occur, video evidence often helps police identify suspects and solve crimes. To create a safer community and solve cases more quickly, we're partnering with community members who have video systems that may capture criminal events. If you have an external security system and would be willing to share video with officers investigating a crime, register today with our Patio Patrol program.

Registration is simple and only takes a few minutes. It's free to register and you may remove your information at any time. In the event of a crime in your area, officers may contact you and ask permission to view your security video. This is a voluntary program.

Protect your home, your family and your community by registering with Patio Patrol.

• Never open your door to strangers. Use peepholes or look out a window. You don't have to open the door to anyone. Teach this to everyone in your household.
• Never let a stranger into your home. If they need to use the phone, offer to make the call for them.
• Install deadbolts on all exterior doors and use them. Make sure the screws for the strike plate go at least 3 inches into the doorframe.
• Lock your windows. If you want ventilation, install secondary locks.
• Install photocells for your porch lights (instead of motion sensors). Your lights will turn on at night and off in the morning whether you're home or not. Use low-watt bulbs.
• If your home has been broken into, don't go inside. Call 911.
• Be careful entering common areas like laundry rooms, elevators and parking garages. Report broken lights and locks.
• If someone lived in your home before you, change the locks.
• Close window shades at night and keep landscaping around them trimmed short.
• Have a phone in your bedroom.
• List only your first initial and last name on your mailbox, phone book or door.
• Don't hide keys under doormats, in flower pots or mailboxes.
• Have your house keys ready before you get to the door.
• If you get an obscene or threatening phone call, dial *57 right away, then call police to report it (221-6540).
• Report any suspicious people, vehicles and activities to police as soon as possible.

Check the Locks — many burglars simply enter through unlocked doors or windows.

• Make sure every outside door has a strong, well-installed, one-inch deadbolt lock. Key-in-the-knob locks alone aren't enough.
• Sliding glass doors can be easy access if not properly secured. Install commercial locks or place a broomstick in the inside track to jam the door.
• Give an extra key to a trusted neighbor.
• When you move into a new home, change the locks.
• Keep the garage door closed and locked. Always lock the connecting door to your home.
• Don't leave an extra key under a doormat, potted plant or other hiding spot a burglar could easily find.

Check the Doors — a lock on a weak door is like locking your car door but leaving the window down.

• All outside doors should be metal, metal-clad or solid wood.
• If doors don't fit tightly in their frames, install weather stripping.
• Install a peephole in all entry doors so you can see who's outside without opening the door. Door chains break easily and give false security.

Check the Outside

• Install outside lights and keep them on at night.
• Keep your yard clean - trim bushes so they don't hide doors or windows.
• Clearly display your house number so police and emergency vehicles can find your home quickly.
• Make it look like you're home by using timers to turn lights on and off in different areas throughout the evening.
• Don't leave ladders or tools outside that a burglar could use to get in.

Stay alert and aware of your surroundings. Act calm, confident and like you know where you're going. Trust your instincts and know the neighborhoods where you live and work.

On Foot - Day and Night

• Stay on well-lit, busy streets.
• Avoid shortcuts through wooded areas, parking lots or alleys.
• Don't show large amounts of cash.
• Carry a purse close to your body, not dangling by the straps.
• Put your wallet in an inside coat or front pants pocket, not a back pocket.
• Have your car or house key ready before you reach the door.
• If someone is following you, change direction or cross the street. Walk toward an open store, restaurant or lit house. If scared, yell for help.

If Someone Tries to Rob You

• Don't resist.
• Give up your property; don't give up your life.
• Report the crime to police. Try to describe the attacker accurately. Your actions can help prevent others from becoming victims.

While Driving

• Don't pick up hitchhikers (anytime, day or night).
• If someone is following you, don't go straight home. Go where there are other people, use a cell phone to call police, draw attention to yourself.
• If you're in trouble or there's an emergency, call 911.
• Park in well-lit areas and lock your car.
• If you leave work after dark, use the buddy system and walk out with someone. If there are security guards, ask for an escort.
• If another driver needs help, tell them you'll call for help, but don't get out of your car or offer them a ride. Be aware, sometimes women are used to gain sympathy.
• Make sure your vehicle runs well to avoid breakdowns. If your car breaks down, raise the hood, tie cloth to the antenna or put flashers on. Stay in your car with doors locked. Cell phones are cheap security.
• Don't drive long distances when your gas gauge shows "empty".
• Have your car key ready when walking to your vehicle. This way you won't be distracted fumbling for keys in the parking lot.
• Look around your vehicle as you approach it to see if anyone is nearby. Make sure the dome light works when you open your door. Check the back seat area.
• When leaving your vehicle for service (or to be driven by anyone else, like a valet), leave only the vehicle keys. Take your house key and garage door opener with you.
• When driving, keep doors locked (even for short trips).
• If someone hits your vehicle on purpose in a remote area, don't get out. Motion for the other driver to follow you to a populated area.
• If someone is driving badly, let them pass and don't make gestures. This makes things worse and you become part of the problem. If they follow you or keep acting out of control, go to the nearest populated area and call police. Use a cell phone if you have one. Give a good description of the vehicle, especially the license plate number.

Social media. Apps. Video games. The ways to connect with others through digital platforms grow each day. Parents and caregivers should talk regularly with their kids about the risks of online interaction. Read on for information about online safety, recognizing grooming and predator behaviors, tips for starting conversations with your family and resources for reporting suspected illegal activity.

While much of the information here has parents and caregivers in mind, seniors are also frequent targets of online scams. Much of the guidance below is equally important for older adults who use email, social media, and online services. There are many resources and guides like Connect Safely-The Senior’s Guide to Online Safety to educate you about online/phone scams, and help keep your information secure while online. 

Internet Safety 101

Did you know...

• 1 in 5 kids face unwanted sexual contact on the Internet
• 1 in 5 teens ages 13-19 take photos of their private parts and send them to friends
• 25% of kids who face sexual contact on the Internet told a trusted adult
• 64% of teens post personal photos online and 58% post personal information like where they live

Throughout the year, Fort Collins police hosts Internet safety presentations to raise awareness and provide tools to keep everyone safe from Internet dangers. Topics include:

• Sexual predators
• Online grooming
• Social networking websites
• Cyberbullying
• Email, Instant Messaging (IM), Smartphones and Sexting

Check out videos below to learn more about internet safety, including a full-length "Keep Kids Safe on the Internet" presentation from Criminalist Keith Maynard.

Parental Tips For Child Safety on the Internet

Online exploration opens a world of possibilities for children, but can also leave them vulnerable to harm from online predators. Take these steps to help reduce the chances of your child becoming a victim to online predators.

• Communicate. Talk to your child about sexual victimization and potential online dangers.
• Spend time with your children online.
• Set rules for online use including blogging, instant messaging and chat rooms.
• Keep Internet-connected computers in an open area.
• Consider using parental monitoring and blocking software.
• Use logging features and parental controls.
• Find out what computer safeguards your child's school, the public library and your child's friends' homes use.
• Tell your children to never give out personal information online, arrange a face-to-face meeting with someone they met online, post pictures of themselves online or send photographs to people they don't know, or respond to messages or posts that are suggestive, obscene, mean or harassing.
• Remind your children that what they're told online may or may not be true.
• Learn about blogging services and see if they offer private or password-protected blogs or "friends only" functions.
• Review online "Personal Profiles" for instant messaging accounts, chat rooms and blogging websites.
• Review blogs and screen what kids post. Seemingly innocent information like town name, school mascot or school name can give away a student's identity and location.
• Report suspicious activity to the right authority, including local law enforcement, CyberTipLine and ISP (internet service provider).

Though these topics can be difficult or uncomfortable to talk about with your kids, keep the dialogue open and add resources to your conversation toolkit!

Family emergency scams

A caller pretends to be a distant family member or friend who had an emergency and needs money for bail, to pay for damages after an accident or to get transportation home. The caller may ask you not to tell anyone so they don't get in trouble.

Don't fall for it!

Hang up and contact family or friends to find out if you know someone who actually needs help. This is likely just a scam from someone trying to take advantage of you!

Romance scams

You begin an online relationship, and then your online partner asks for money to pay for a financial hardship, business investment or even transportation to visit you.

These people are sneaky and will carry on the relationship for weeks or months. They look for vulnerable victims, like those who recently lost a spouse.

People who truly care about you won't pressure you to give up your hard-earned money. Talk with a trusted friend or family member, or the police, to help you figure out if the relationship is real.

FCPS has investigated many reports of people being scammed on rental properties through online services. Taking advantage of renters happens more often when consumers know less about deceptive practices. The following considerations may help you avoid being a victim of a housing scam.

Scam behavior

• Postings for very low prices (be wary of anything advertised under or close to one thousand dollars).
• Know that housing averages in Fort Collins are slightly higher than $1,000 for a studio, $1,133 for a one bedroom, $1,222 for a two bedroom and $1,500 to much higher ($2,250) for larger places.
• Keys offered to be released by appointment at the house - usually a "no show" situation.
• Security deposit and/or first month's rent payment by Zelle (instant money transfer), Venmo (money transfer app) and PayPal.
• Owner claims to be out-of-state on business; cannot meet right away.

Preventative measures

• Check property ownership for a name match.
• Generic contract (read the fine print).
• Ask to view the property for walk-in inspection; huge red flag is a "no can do" attitude for any reason.
• No matter how many pages of lease agreements, signature requests, photos of a beautiful and inviting house, always know those may be stolen or edited from real estate listings.
• Don't feel pressured by statements that someone else is looking and just as interested, which creates a rushed deadline for an answer.
• Be careful with any request for emailed photos of driver license, adult identification, Social Security Number, W-2 for income confirmation and other forms of ID that may lead to future identity theft.
• Property Management venues – try to deal with one person consistently.

Resources

• Larimer County property ownership
• Complaints about property management companies
• Internet Crime Complaint Center

*The following content includes information about human exploitation and at-risk circumstances.

There's a common misconception that human trafficking looks like Hollywood's depiction of women smuggled in shipping containers from other countries. While that can happen in some places, our local reality typically involves at-risk individuals like runaways, domestic violence victims and women operating in survival mode. Their abusers recognize this, provide for their most basic needs like housing and food, then exploit and control these people in crisis.

What is human trafficking?

What are indicators of human trafficking?

• Does the person appear disconnected from family, friends, community organizations or houses of worship?
• Has a child stopped attending school?
• Has the person had a sudden or dramatic change in behavior?
• Is a juvenile engaged in commercial sex acts?
• Is the person disoriented or confused, or showing signs of mental or physical abuse?
• Does the person have bruises in various stages of healing?
• Is the person fearful, timid or submissive?
• Does the person show signs of having been denied food, water, sleep or medical care?
• Is the person often in the company of someone to whom he or she defers? Or someone who seems to be in control of the situation, e.g., where they go or who they talk to?
• Does the person appear to be coached on what to say?
• Is the person living in unsuitable conditions?
• Does the person lack personal possessions and appear not to have a stable living situation?
• Does the person have freedom of movement? Can the person freely leave where they live? Are there unreasonable security measures?

A strange person approached me in a store. Could they be trying to traffic me?

While it's impossible to know the person's intentions, traffickers typically do not approach random people in stores. They seek out and target vulnerable people, such as runaways, people dealing with emotional trauma or financial difficulty, or individuals with substance use addictions. They may form a relationship to earn trust, provide shelter or supply the victim with drugs. They then often use threats, violence, substances or other means to control the victim.

If you're approached by a person who makes you feel uncomfortable, always listen to your instincts. While they may not be trying to traffic you, they may still be a threat to your safety. Always trust your gut and report suspicious situations to law enforcement.

Enforcement

Prostitution is often connected with human trafficking, illegal drug usage and sales, and violent crimes. Police hope to reduce these issues by making Fort Collins a difficult market for soliciting or selling sexual services. In a continuing effort to reduce demand for sexual services, FCPS conducts multiple operations each year targeting suspects who patronize prostitutes. These operations have resulted in arrests for pimping, drug distribution and other serious criminal activity. 

Education and Partnerships

FCPS sometimes trains hotel workers to spot signs of crimes like prostitution and human trafficking. This is an ongoing collaborative effort between police and our business community. FCPS also works with those who serve our houseless population, as they are often vulnerable to sexual assault and exploitation.

FCPS has participated in the Northern Colorado Human Trafficking Symposium. This annual conference is designed to engage and educate on the issue of sex trafficking through research, training and collaboration.

Identity theft is one of the fastest growing crimes. Despite your best efforts to protect personal information, skilled identity thieves may still access your personal data. Here are some tips to protect your identity and information on what to do if you become a victim of identity theft.

Protecting Your Identity

While identity theft can happen to anyone, there are things you can do to reduce your risk.

• Never give your credit card number or other personal information on the phone, through the mail or over the Internet unless you started the contact or you're sure you know who you're dealing with. Personal information includes: social security number, driver license number, account numbers, date of birth, place of birth, home address, mother's maiden name or passwords.
• Don't carry extra credit cards, your social security card, birth certificate or passport in your wallet or purse, except when needed.
• Read your credit card and bank statements carefully and often.
• Know your payment due dates. If a bill doesn't arrive when expected, look into it.
• Read statements from your health insurance plan. Make sure the claims paid match the care you received.
• Shred any documents with personal and financial information.

• Review each of your three credit reports at least once a year.

What to do if you become a victim of identity theft?

To begin fixing the damage, report the incident to the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) online, or call directly (1-877-438-4338). Print and save the FTC Identity Theft Affidavit.

Call the fraud department of the companies where the fraud happened and close or freeze the compromised accounts. Remember to change logins, passwords and PINS for those accounts as well.

Place a fraud alert on your credit report and get a copy of your credit report. Contact one of the three credit bureaus to place a fraud alert on your credit, and get a copy of your report.

File a report with the jurisdiction where you live. You will need to provide the following before FCPS issues a case number:

• Copy of FTC Identity Theft Affidavit (instructions above)
• Government issued ID with a photo
• Proof of address
• Proof of theft

Thieves will ask to send you a large sum of money, claiming that all you have to do is send the money along to someone else, and they will let you keep a small amount for your trouble. This may even be related to an item you posted for sale.

Scam Alert!

The fake payment will eventually bounce, leaving your account overdrawn. Never accept money in an amount greater than the agreed price, and never agree to send money along in exchange for a small payment to yourself.

You get a pop-up notification on your computer, or an email or phone call saying your account has been hacked. The sender claims to offer technical help and asks for login information for your computer or your financial accounts.

This is a scam!

The sender will use the information to lock down your computer and accounts in exchange for a ransom payment. Alternatively, them can use the information to complete fraudulent transactions on your account.

Requests for technical help should only be started by you, and an official technical support person will never ask for your login information or financial credentials. Talk with a tech-savvy friend or family member and contact police if you have responded to one of these notifications.

You respond to an online ad for an amazing job opportunity, but it's too good to be true. Scammers will ask for your personal and financial information, and may even ask you to send them payment for employment costs. These thieves target people who are desperate for jobs. Online resources like the Colorado Secretary of State website can help verify employers.

Unemployment scams have been very common. How can you spot a scam? Watch your mail closely - if you get mail about unemployment benefits that you *haven't* requested, someone may have filed using your information. If you think this happened, we recommend these steps:

• Tell your employer's Human Resources team.
• Report the fraud to the Colorado Department of Labor.
• Report the identity theft to the Federal Trade Commission.
• Watch credit reports, bank accounts and other financial accounts for unusual activity.
• File a police report *IF* you've had any actual financial losses related to a scam or fraud situation.
• Protect your personal and financial information by always using strong passwords and secure transaction platforms.