As reported here in September, unauthorized key duplication and lost spare keys present a serious threat to the typical homeowner and perhaps more threat to renters and businesses. Though their system would not eliminate the problems of lost keys or spares given away, Medeco Security Locks has a solution to the problem of unauthorized copies. Their keys require locksmith authorization to be able to make copies and all copies are registered and recorded.
The use of keys duplicated without permission has become more prevalent in residential and commercial crimes in recent years. Standard keys can be copied without any proof of identification or verification at discount or home building stores and allow perpetrators fast, easy access without any delay or disturbance of a forced entry. Residential or commercial keys are often compromised, either directly or indirectly, when entrusted to neighbors, parking valets, cleaning crews, baby sitters, contractors, ex-employees, auto mechanics, or related service providers.
Unauthorized Key Copying Poses Growing Risks to Homeowners, Businesses
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The US State Department has issued a public announcement for travelers heading to Peru, based on a threat by coca growers to strike. Similar strikes in the past have led to problems for foreigners in the area.
Coca growers in Cuzco have called for a “series of actions” from October 18 through about October 20, 2005. Previous calls for strikes by cocaleros in Cuzco have resulted in widespread disruption of ground transportation and closure of the airport. On one recent occasion a group of foreign tourists was involuntarily held captive for several hours by strikers.
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The Safe Travel Institure announced the Safe Passage Travel Companion(TM). Included is an instructional DVD and resource guide showcasing principles and strategies for safe travel, resource CD with vital information including emergency contact procedures and key embassy phone numbers, a pocket reference with strategic reminders of safe travel practices, a travel security pouch. Also included is a free membership to the online resource “Safe Passage NewsLine”. The Institute also offers hostage survival training through the National Hostage Survival Training Center.
Those interested in the Safe Passage Travel Companion may also be interested in these books:
Safe Air Travel Companion
The Safe Travel Book
Safe Travel Institute Announces ‘Safe Passage’: First DVD Designed to Help Travelers Learn to Reduce Risks in Today’s Volatile World: Financial News - Yahoo! Finance
“Today, Americans are more uneasy about traveling than ever before,” said Randy Spivey, director of the Safe Travel Institute. “Currently, there are U.S. State Department Travel Warning Advisories covering 26 countries Americans should avoid… 16 more advisories warn of terrorist activities in the Caribbean, England and Scotland. Added to that is the fact that while Mexico and Brazil are not on either list, they rank high for kidnappings, theft and unsolved crimes. The Safe Travel Institute’s goal is to help consumers and business travelers process this information, learn how to travel safely, and enjoy their travels with a renewed peace of mind. We know that there is danger at some level no matter the destination, but we can help give you the tools to help you be more prepared to handle yourself in business or pleasure travels.”
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Illinois state police have introduced “CHAD” or “Children Have An Identity” stickers which fit on a child safety seat or under a bicycle seat after a 13-month old boy named Chad was involved in an auto accident with his babysitter. The babysitter was killed in the crash and the boy could not be quickly identified. His injuries were untreated for an hour until a family friend happened to walk by his hospital gurney.
The stickers give basic identification and emergency contact information and can also give important information such as allergies to medications.
The Southern Illinoisan
Illinois State Trooper J. D. Murphy said an identification tool promoted by state police is a CHAD - Children Have An Identity - sticker. The stickers are meant to put on the back of a child safety seat, but also fit underneath a bicycle seat and are appropriate for adults as well.
“Unfortunately, we get a lot of our innovative ideas when something bad happens,” Murphy said.
The CHAD stickers were introduced after a boy named Chad was involved in a vehicle accident with a babysitter and could not be immediately identified.
More information on identification and emergency contact programs at this site.
A new venture, Safe Harbor Publishing LLC, has been formed to produce DVDs and other material to help travelers learn to deal with threats like abduction, how to avoid being a target for crime and how to survive if abducted.
Spokane Journal of Business - The Business Newspaper For The Inland Northwest
Included in the first package, which will sell for between $50 and $60, will be a 30-minute-to-40-minute DVD telling travelers how not to become a target for abduction and how to survive if they do, a travel companion resource guide, a passport neck-wallet security pouch, and an informational CD, says Spivey. That initial package will be called Safe Passage.
France and Belgium released the names of airlines on their safety blacklists.
France is barring flights by:
Air Koryo of North Korea; Air St Thomas of the US Virgin Islands; International Air Services of Liberia; Phuket Airlines of Thailand; Linhas Aereas de Moçambique, Mozambique; Transairways, Mozambique.
Belgium is barring nine airlines:
Africa Lines of the Central African Republic; Air Memphis from Egypt; Air Van Airlines of Armenia; Central Air Express from Congo; ICTTPW of Libya; International Air Tours Limited from Nigeria; Johnsons Air Limited of Ghana; Silverback Cargo Freighters from Rwanda, South Airlines of Ukraine.
Insurance is often our primary financial defense against threats to our safety and security, but USA Today reminds us that Car renters often overdo insurance.
Thousands of people will rent cars as Labor Day approaches and summer wanes. But many will pay more than they need for policies covering everything from car damage to stolen items.
- Check your own comprehensive and collision policy to see if it covers you when driving a rental.
- Check your credit card to see if it includes protection, but also be sure to check the restrictions, such as time or damage amount limits.
- If you do buy supplemental insurance, follow its rules. Speeding, drinking and driving and even driving on a gravel road can void the coverage.
NICB
The National Insurance Crime Bureau (NICB) reported today that for calendar year 2004, California has once again set the pace for auto theft. Seven of the nation’s top ten areas with the highest vehicle theft rates are in California. The communities of Las Vegas, Nevada; Phoenix-Mesa, Arizona and Seattle-Everett-Bellevue, Washington round out the top ten.
You can find out where your city ranks here.
For 2004—with their 2003 ranking in parenthesis—the ten metropolitan statistical areas with the highest vehicle theft rates are:
1. Modesto, CA (1)
2. Stockton-Lodi, CA (3)
3. Las Vegas, NV (4) (more…)
The Florida Attorney General in conjunction with Macy’s and the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children has released child safety publication that focuses on up to date child safety strategies. It goes beyond “don’t talk to strangers” and includes a glossary for parents of the terms used by kids on the internet.
Children are routinely told to stay away from and not talk to strangers. Unfortunately, statistics show that many children are abducted or exploited by people they or their families might know. The term “stranger” can mislead children and cause them to think that they should only be wary of unfamiliar individuals. Instead, children must be taught to identify certain dangerous situations or actions, or behavior rather than particular individuals.
The booklet - SafeSteps: A Parents Guide to Online Safety, Child Abduction and Runaway Issues - is available online for free download [pdf file].
Device that fits on a keychain aims to lock out cyberthieves
For Philip Bockrath, who lives in Seattle but frequently travels for work, those questions pop into his head whenever he sits down in front of a strange keyboard, especially a public one.
Lately, Bockrath has found peace of mind in a 2-inch gray fob dangling from his key ring.
The keyfob changes his account password, to control his bank and brokerage accounts, every 60 seconds. So, even if there is a keylogger recording the password he types, 60 seconds after he types it that password is no longer valid.
The tokens are provided by the banks or brokerage firms.
50Pack RSA SECURID KEYFOBS 3YR
