Safety Tips

Safety Tips to Prevent Property Crime

Equip your door with either a dead-bolt lock with a one-inch throw, or a heavy duty drop-bolt lock. The lock should also have a highly pick-resistant cylinder protected by a guard plate. Do not use a dual cylinder lock in a residence.

Consider the purchase of an electronic security system that is monitored on a 24-hours basis by a local, UL-approved central monitoring station. This type of system affords you the best protection. If an emergency should occur, the authorities would be dispatched for you. The same system can be used to summon medical assistance.

Install a wide-angle peephole to get a fuller view of the outside area. Never open the door until you are sure of your visitor's identity.

Do not leave a house key under a mat, in the mailbox, or in any other "hiding area" near the door. If your house keys have been stolen or lost, replace your lock cylinders immediately.

If you should return home to find your door open or tampered with, do not enter. Go immediately to a trusted neighbor and notify the police.

If you are awakened at night by an intruder, try not to panic. Lie still and, at first opportunity, call the police.

When leaving for an extended period of time, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up your mail and papers.

Safety Tips for Expired Medication

Never leave unused or unwanted medications in your house; doing so can result in poisoning or prescription drug abuse. Nor should you flush them, as they may get into our water supply. Instead, see this flyer for instructions on how to safely dispose of old medication. Inside you will also find the locations of several medication drop boxes throughougt Trumbull County where you can simply leave unwanted meds.

Safety Tips for Expired Medication

Use the buddy system; travel and shop with companions whenever possible, both during the day and at night. There is greater safety in numbers.

Do not carry large sums of money in your purse or wallet. Place money, credit cards, identification, and keys in the inside pockets of your clothing. If you carry a purse, carry it close to your body. Don't wrap the strap around your wrist or shoulder. In the theater or when dining, keep your purse on your lap. Do not place it on the floor, on another seat or on the back of a chair. If your purse is snatched, let it go. Do not fight for it! Anything that is worth fighting for shouldn't be in there in the first place.

If you drive, be sure that your car is properly maintained. Keep your gas tank filled and your doors locked. Park in well-lit areas. You should note the aisle number when parking in larger sized lots. Always check under your vehicle and in the back seat before entering.

Safety Tips for Confidence Games

"Con artists" are smooth-talking criminals who try to separate you from your money through trickery and deceit. They can be men or women who work alone, in pairs, or in groups. They may stop you on the street, call on the phone, or ring your doorbell pretending to be repair people, building inspectors, bank examiners or any other service person. There are many different kinds of confidence games.

To avoid becoming a victim, be suspicious of friendly strangers who offer goods or services at low rates; beware of friendly strangers who tell you they have found money and want to share it with you; be suspicious of telephone calls from someone claiming to be a bank official asking you to withdraw money from your account for any reason – banks communicate all business transactions in writing; do not hesitate to notify the police of any suspicious circumstances; be alert for schemes that involve removing your savings or other valuables from safekeeping and turning them over to somebody else.

Police Department
141 South Street S.E.
Warren, OH 44483
Ph: (330) 394-2521
Fax: (330) 841-2532

Emergency Reporting: 911
Non-Emergency: (330) 394-2521

Anonymous Tip Line
(330) 841-2658
mostwanted@warren.org

Police Office Numbers

Communications Center
(330) 841-2512

Animal Control
(330) 841-2675

Detectives Division
(330) 841-2630

Records Division
(330) 841-2573

Request an Officer
(330) 841-2501

Traffic Division
(330) 841-2573

Turn Commander
(330) 841-2506

Staff Contacts
Eric Merkel,
Chief of Police
(330) 841-2536
emerkel@warren.org

Capt. Jeffrey Cole,
Emergency Services 
Division Commander
(330) 841-2510
jcole@warren.org

Capt. Robert Massucci,
Criminal Investigation
Division Commander
(330) 841-2630
rmassucci@warren.org

Copyright © 2024 City Of Warren, Ohio.