This is a new web blog dedicated to security, personal safety and self protection. A sheepdog was bred to protect the flock from predators, thus the reason for the name of this blog, The Urban Sheepdog (TM). Those looking for more in-depth information specific to self protection strategies, check out our "Articles" page.
Thwarting Identity Theft While On Vacation
If you are travelling this summer, here are some great recommendations on how to minimize identity theft while you are on vacation:
http://www.tulsaworld.com/business/article.aspx?subjectid=51&articleid=20120722_51_E4_bImgoi308904
Eight Things Not To Keep In Your Walet
Great article published in Kiplinger on eight things that you should not be keeping in your wallet should it be lost or stolen
http://finance.yahoo.com/news/8-things-not-to-keep-in-your-wallet.html
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How To Protect Your Identity When Moving Homes
It is stressful enough when you are moving homes, so why increase that stress by having your identity stolen in the process. Heres a great link to steps on how to protect your identity when in the moving process.
Hi-Tech Hacking Of Cars
Here's a link to an article on how car thieves are now hacking into the on-board computers located in many new vehicle for the sole intent of stealing your new vehicle.
http://www.securitynewsdaily.com/2059-high-tech-car-theft.html
How to Target Harden Your Vehicle
Considering there are more than 400 cars stolen in Canada every single day, here's an article from Sympatico.ca that offers some hints on how to keep criminals at bay
http://autos.sympatico.ca/car-care/13934/keeping-thieves-at-bay
Turn An Old Computer Into A New Home Security System
Here's a cool idea for turning your old/used computer into a new home security system. Other than having to purchase a couple of external cameras, this home security monitoring system can be done for free:
Loose Your Keys
For those of you who commonly misplace or loose your keys, there's an App for you
http://mashable.com/2012/06/18/hone-for-ios/
Darren
Locating Your Stolen Goods
Often those who commit theft and break and enters will sell their stolen goods for money. In times past, the criminal element would take these stolen items to a local fence (buyer of stolen property) or a pawn shop. …
Social Media and Home Security
I have posted in past on the dangers surrounding placing too much information in your social networks, and how it can have a negative impact on home security , but here's a recent UK infographic that supports the fact that the criminal element are using your social networks to their advantage:
Attention Parents
Just when we think we have heard it all when it comes to our kids finding new ways to experiment with alcohol and drugs, now we have to concern ourselves with this:
Hotel/Motel Security
Hotel/Motel Safety:
Given that many people travel on vacation or business, I thought a quick posting on Hotel/Motel Safety would be of interest. By following the below noted suggestions, I believe it will increase your chances of a crime free stay:
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Trust Your Intuition
Trusting Your Intuition:
Several years ago I wrote an article called “Etheric Sense”
http://www.personalprotectionsystems.ca/articles/etheric_sense.pdf
and in that article, last paragraph, I stated, …
Apartment/Condo Security
Apartment/Condo Security:
Many of us who can’t afford to purchase a house will instead rent an apartment or condo. If you are looking to move into an apartment or condominium make sure you do your homework first:
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Home Invasions
Home Invasions:
Home invasions, although a rarity, are likely going to be a homeowner’s worst nightmare. Given that our homes represent safety, security, and sanctuary, when violated by an intruder(s) who may want our property, our body, or even our life, it’s no wonder that the threat of a home invasion creates one of the most feared security concerns to a homeowner. …
Stop A Bully
Stop A Bully:
Bullying in all its forms in unacceptable in our schools, and now there is a “Canadian” program designed and developed by a teacher in British Columbia, that promotes “real world” information on this very important topic area called “Stop A Bully”.…
Barking Dog Alarms:
I have often been asked about the effectiveness of barking dog alarms, to which I always reply, “I don’t really know how effective they are, but what I can tell you is that the criminal element does not like dogs, especially those such as a German Shepherd, Rottweiler, Doberman Pinscher or other types of protection bred dogs. …
Beware Of Lock Bumping
The criminal element are constanly looking for ways to make it easier for them to break into your house without having to force entry which only creates noise and increases their chances of being seen, heard, or caught. …
The Art Of Deception And Home Security
The Art Of Deception And Home Security:
One of the principles in target hardening your home, especially if the outer security perimeter has been breached or pen tested, is to not only ensure that you secure the inner perimeter, but also make your home appear to be occupied, when you and your family are out. …
Monitored Home Alarms, Are They Worth The Cost
Monitored Home Alarms Systems Are They Worth The Cost ???
A 2010 study called, “The Greenwich Study Of Residential Security”, which was funded by the alarm industry, found that a home that was not protected…
ATM Security
With current news surrounding ATM security and how the criminal element is stealing money from our accounts, I thought this FBI article, "Taking A Trip To An ATM, Becareful Of Skimmers" was timely:
Teen Dating Violence
Teen Dating Violence:
We have all heard about adult domestic violence, but what about “Teen Dating Violence”? What is teen dating violence, according to “Break the Cycle, Empowering Youth to End Domestic Violence”, it is a “pattern of abusive behaviors that are used to exert power and control over a teen dating partner” that usually takes place over a course of time. …
Securing Your Garage
Have a look at the attached Youtube Video, which has been viewed over 1 million times. Do you think that maybe some of these viewers might be those who want learn an easy and fast way to break into your home ??????
10 College/University Safety Tips
Starting University or College, Here Are 10 Safety Tips For Your Consideration :
Well before you know it, the summer will be over and University and College will be back in session. Although your campus life will be filled with many rewarding experiences, there are also some safety risks that you should be aware of as well. …
Wait For The Gate
Wait For The Gate:
Those who park their vehicle in an enclosed and secured parking area, are often surprised that when they come back to their car it has been broken into. Many of these victims often ask law enforcement, "how do you think the thief gained access into our secured parking area". …
Are You A Block Watch Member
Are You A Block Watch Member ???
Neighborhood Block Watch has been around for years here in Canada, and most police departments endorse this public/police partnership to look after one another in the battle against crime.
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"NO" Is A Complete Sentence
“NO” Is A Complete Sentence:
As a self-protection instructor to men, women, and children one of the most important principles that I teach is that “NO is a complete sentence” and it has no negotiation built into it when it comes to setting a verbal and physical boundary. …
Home Inventory
How many of us are prepared to deal with our insurance company after a break and enter, or God forbid, a fire. Sure you had a 60-inch plasma TV, show us the receipts is not an uncommon comment when making an insurance claim. …
Target Hardening Your Home
Home Security (Inner and Outer Perimeter)
In my last blog entry, I spoke about home security challenges specific to TMI (too much information) being posted on-line announcing when you will be away from home, and how the criminal element is using this information to their advantage. …
Vacation and Home Security
Vacation and Home Security;
Well it’s that time of year again, when we are outside the home traveling and enjoying our time away at the beach, campsite, or cabin at the lake. Unfortunately this is also the time of year when thieves have heightened their antenna looking for targeted homes to prey upon for break and enters.
First Post
As a serving law enforcement professional, I have seen too much victimization when it comes to violent crime. Often these violent crimes could have been averted if people would understood "The Way Of The Street", and how the street predator operates. …
