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Crime Prevention
Community interaction provides the framework for the Clinton Police Department's crime prevention effort. Preventing crime demands a citizen and police integrated and coordinated response. This process includes education and police services that take proactive approaches. For more information about crime prevention, go to North Carolina Department of Public Safety: Crime Prevention.
Personal Firearm Log
The Clinton Police Department strongly recommend citizens to keep a personal firearm log for your firearms. Click personal firearm log(PDF) for the information.
Property Registration
The Clinton Police Department has a property registration program (PDF) for bicycles and electronic devices like laptops and video games. Registration can be done by bringing the item to the Police Department where office staff will photograph the item and enter the make, model, and serial number into the department's record system. For additional information or for answers to questions about the process call the Clinton Police Department at 910-592-3105.
Vacation Security Checks/Escorts
Home security checks are offered to citizens who leave for vacation and want the police to check on their residence in their absence. Citizens wanting this service will need to go to the Clinton Police Department at 222 Lisbon Street, to fill out a Residence Check Form (PDF).
Security escorts are provided to businesses making bank deposits for their business. Escorts may be obtained by calling 910-592-1151. An officer will respond to the business and then follow the representative to the bank while s/he makes the deposit.
The crime of identity theft is one of the fastest-growing crimes in America. The Clinton Police Department recognizes that these types of crimes can have a devastating effect on a person's life. Education provides information to help prevent citizens from becoming victims. It is also important to know what to do when prevention fails because dealing with financial institutions, businesses, and the legal system can be confusing.
The department has provided information from the North Carolina Identity Theft Protection Act and federal bank regulatory agencies to help you. Additional information may be obtained from the Federal Trade Commission. If you have questions about identity theft or find yourself a victim of this crime, contact the Clinton Police Department at 910-592-3105.
Statistics show that opioid medications are fueling a nationwide epidemic of unintentional drug overdose deaths, with Sampson being among the counties with the highest number of drug-related deaths each year. The Clinton Police Department recognizes that opioid overdose can have a devastating effect on a person's life, even the whole family's lives. Education provides information to help prevent citizens from becoming victims. Be well aware of the benefits and risks if you are prescribed opioid medication. Know your options and talk to your medical provider about it.
The Clinton Police Department has a permanent medical drop box for citizens to safely dispose potentially dangerous, expired, unused, or unwanted prescriptions. See Medicine Drop for further information. Remember, you are the only one who make the choice. See Clinton Police Department Opioid Overdose Awareness Pamphlet (PDF) for detail information.
Vehicle break-ins are a serious, but common crime that unfortunately many citizens find themselves being a victim to. Cars are broken into at all times of the day and night. There are simple tips that will help individual to reduce the chances of becoming a victim of vehicle break-in.
- Lock your vehicles at night. Thieves are opportunists that are looking for easy targets that can be accessed with as little noise as possible. Most car break-ins in Clinton involve an unlocked car.
- Do not leave items of value lying visible in the passenger area of a vehicle. Previewing valuables allows a thief to" window shop" and that increases your likelihood of becoming a victim.
- Remove all firearms from your vehicle when you go home at night. Vehicles do not make very secure gun cabinets.
- Thieves are less likely to break in vehicles that are parked in well illuminated areas. Homeowners should use outside lights especially motion detection lights to make the yard and driveway more visible at night.
- When you notice suspicious persons or circumstances, call the police. Officers recognize that proactive police work will be more beneficial in preventing crime and they are eager to respond.
The Victim's Assistance Program was established to assist the victims of certain types of crime by providing the following:
- Availability of medical services
- Availability of Victim's Compensation Funds
- District Attorney's office address and phone number
- Information about the accused opportunity for pretrial release
- Name and phone number of a contact person at the Clinton Police Department whom will keep the victim informed of relative case issues
- Notification of a victim concerning the arrest of an offender in his/her case
Tips from the Clinton Police Department
- Always lets a family member or colleague know your plans, appointments, or outings.
- Stay alert. Be aware of your surroundings.
- Choose to walk in busy areas that are well lit at night. Try not to walk or jog alone.
- Always carry your purse closed to your body and keep a firm grip on it.
- Carry a whistle on your key chain. If you are in trouble attract attention in any way you can.
- When using an Automated Teller Machine (ATM), try to use one in a well lit, busy, public place. Avoid using an ATM after dark when possible. Be aware of your surroundings while at the machine.
- If traveling by motor vehicle, keep doors locked and windows rolled up.
- Know the area you are in.
- Make sure your car stays in good operating condition and be aware of the fuel level. Keep a flashlight, spare tire, and jumper cables with you.
- Park in well-lit areas. Lock your vehicle when you leave.
- Never pick up hitchhikers.
- Stay in your car if it breaks down. If someone stops to help you, lower your window only slightly and request they telephone a police officer for you.
- Continue driving if someone tries to stop or follow you. Proceed to a well-lit business or the police station before stopping.
- Do not lead someone to your home. Keep your car in gear at stop signs and traffic lights.
- Keep your purse and other valuables out of sight or remove them when you park your vehicle.
- Marking your property with an Owner Applied Number such as your driver's license number makes it identifiable anywhere, anytime in the United States whether it has been lost or stolen.
- Register bicycles and electronics like laptops with the Clinton Police Department Property Registration Program.
Guidelines for Safety at Home
- Make sure all doors to the outside are metal or solid, that they have good and sturdy locks with deadbolts.
- Make sure that all windows have locks and that all the locks are used.
- Secure sliding glass doors with locks or bars.
- Lock your vehicles parked at your residence at night.
- Make sure all porches, entrances, and parking areas are well lit. Turn these lights on after dark. If in an apartment, report lights that are out or not available in common areas to the management.
- Trim bushes or trees that hide doors or windows or block your view of lighting.
- Never hide house keys outside.
- Clearly display your house number so emergency vehicles can find your home quickly.
- Use lights and radio timers, security alarms, motion detectors, and automatic garage door openers.
- When you go away from home leave word with a neighbor, stop mail and newspapers. Citizens may request a Police Officer check their residence when they plan to be away for an extended absence.
- When children are home alone be sure they know how to call 911 or local emergency numbers.
- Have an agreed upon contact for them to call when they are home, i.e. parent at work, a grandparent or neighbor. Instruct them to report their contact person when leaving home.
- Teach children not to let strangers inside the home, not to tell telephone callers that they are alone and to keep all doors and windows locked.
- Warn children to look for signs of danger such as a broken window, door ajar, or a strange car in the yard or on the street.
- Instruct them to go to a neighbor's house and call an adult or the Police Department at 910-592-3105.
- Teach children to walk and play with other children and not alone.
- Teach children to refuse rides or gifts from strangers in the neighborhood.