
Pápa is a safe community to live in with the overall rate of crime at a low level compared to many other regions in Hungary. Despite of this the SAC community members and their possessions are occasionally subject to criminal activity, such as breaking into their homes or theft. Therefore it is important to remember some basic security precautions in everyday life to make sure that the level of safety stays high.
Typically SAC members’ homes and possessions have been subject by theft or burglary in the Pápa region annually, only a few times.
In the recent times the community has also been encountering some cases of persons being approached at their homes or other locations in an inappropriate or intrusive way, that may involve collection of information that may later be used for criminal purposes.
A tactic observed involves approaching persons at their homes. Based on friendliness or the confusion created by the situation an unknown person may try to get into the house to collect information about its residents, times when the home may be unattended and other details. Sometimes the intensive focus on our community members may get to a point when it can be considered as harassment.
There are things you can do in order to minimize the risk for criminal activity targeting your home. To keep danger away from your home you should consider the following:
- Do not let strangers in your house or on your property, especially if it is unclear what they want from you.
- If a person asking for permission to access your home says he represents a company or authority, ask for identification and look for confirming signs such as a company uniform or a company car.
- Be confident and act straightforward when it is about expressing your will for them to leave.
- ALWAYS LOCK YOUR DOORS / GATES even when you are at home, but cannot keep an eye on the entrance.
- Always put valuables away from sight. (Like a high value bicycle on your driveway, for example.)
- When you experience anything unusual concerning your safety, contact one of the following depending on how dangerous the situation is:
- the police (call 112 for immediate help)
- the CLO (call CLO emergency on-call hotline: +36 30 8575606)
- your SNR
- your NSE
- Be aware of your surroundings and if you witness something suspicious, report it. Please try to be as specific as you can; a plate number or a car type you can remember is just as useful as a description of the person or any other detail. Remember that even minor details can help the investigation of a criminal activity. Please keep your eyes open.
- Do not advertise when you go on leave or make it obvious that your house is unattended. If you are posting information about your absence on social media platforms such as Facebook, make sure only your friends can see that you are not at home.
- Do not forget to turn on your alarm system when you leave for a longer period.
- When you go on leave, you can request the Police to check on your house regularly by filling out and filing the Unattended Residence Registration Form before you go on leave. The form is available in the SAC library or at the CLO Office.