Safety Tips and Community Resources

1) Schedule package delivery for when you know you’ll be home

2) Make sure you don’t leave packages out on your doorstep for longer than you need to

3) Arrange with a neighbor or friend to pick something up for you if you can’t make yourself available

4) Don’t leave packages visible in your vehicle because would-be criminals love a quick smash and grab

5) If all else fails then you can usually arrange for a third-party solution like using a drop off point or a package locker if supported by the carrier!

1) If possible, make sure to keep your vehicle parked in a well-lit location

2) Avoid keeping valuables in your car, but on the off-chance you need to leave something inside do your best to make sure it’s well concealed from prying eyes

3) Make sure to keep your car doors locked, even if you don’t have any valuables in your vehicle it can still be stolen and taken for a joyride

1) If at all possible, don’t leave packages out on your front doorstep for any longer than necessary. Feel free to refer to our package safety tips for more information on that topic

2) Investing in a good home security system doesn’t always have to mean buying the fanciest alarms and cameras you can find. There are many clever ways to keep your home safe during the night or while you’re away, including leaving a light or two turned on, making sure that your doors and windows are locked and your blinds closed, and even getting a cheap home security sign to stick in your front yard or a sticker to slap on one of your windows

3) Avoid posting about travel plans or expensive gifts you may have purchased on social media, this helps reduce your risk of becoming a target

4) If possible, consider asking a trusted friend, neighbor, or family member to keep an eye on the place for you while you’ll be out of town

There’s a lot that could be said for this particular category, and so even though we’ve provided a few ideas for you here we encourage you to never stop learning best practices for how to keep you and your loved ones safe

1) Always check to make sure emails are from a verified sender. Even if the email doesn’t look suspicious, be cautious when downloading files from an email or clicking on links

2) Never give out your personal information to strangers, no matter how nice or trusting they may seem! Too many good people have been scammed by a “nice” person

3) Have a plan in place and know what appropriate actions you need to take if one of your accounts should get hacked, if your identity gets stolen, or if you believe you’ve been compromised in some way online

4) Especially during the holiday season it’s important to be aware of fake emails or messages about package deliveries, again, always make sure to verify who the message is from and be wary of providing personal information or following links

5) Watch out for scammers trying to take your money under the guise of a charity. If you’re interested in giving back this holiday season and donating, there are fantastic resources online to help guide your decisions about who to donate to

1) Make sure to keep all of your guns and weapons locked in a secure place that can’t be accessed by others

2) Keep your firearms cleaned and unloaded, preferably storing the ammo in a different, yet secure, location

3) If you have family or friends visiting for the holidays, it’s especially important to make sure that your weapons are stored away properly and securely. Consider even educating young ones or other inexperienced individuals on the importance of staying safe and not using firearms or other weapons irresponsibly

4) If yourself or someone you know such as a friend or a loved one struggles with depression or other mental illnesses during the holiday season, consider reaching out and offering to hold on to their firearms until you know they’re safe again. The Orem police department can also assist in this same fashion if you don’t have other preferred alternatives

1) If possible, make sure that your vehicle is equipped with winter tires as we start to approach icier temperatures

2) Keeping an emergency kit in your vehicle can really come in handy in the event that you should ever find yourself in a car accident or stranded on the road. Things like first aid supplies, blankets, a battery pack for charging devices, water and food are all great additions. You can search online or ask friends and family for additional ideas

3) Please make sure to SLOW DOWN as temperatures drop and conditions worsen. Not only will you assist with keeping other safe, but you’ll also be playing an important role in keeping yourself and your loved ones safe by being better prepared to respond to the actions of potentially dangerous drivers on the road

4) Don’t hesitate to reschedule, delay, or even cancel trips if you know the weather is going to be bad. Stay safe instead

5) If possible, make plans with your employer now to be able to work remotely in the event of a bad winter storm or poor driving conditions

6) Be kind and courteous to others. Allow people to merge or drive slowly. It’s easier to be kind when you’re not in a rush to get somewhere, so make plans to leave early and stay safe

Cops love to have a good time as much as the next person, but trust us when we say that partying with us on the way to jail, or partying with the EMTs in the back of the ambulance on your way to the hospital just really isn’t fun for anyone. That being said, here are some great tips for how to avoid a VIP trip to somewhere you don’t want to be this holiday season

1) DRINK RESPONSIBLY.

2) drink responsibly

3) DRINK responsibly

4) Now that we’ve said it three different ways, hopefully you’ll remember to drink responsibly, you get the idea

5) Holiday relapses are a common occurrence, if you or a loved one struggle with this we urge you to seek help. There are lots of resources available in our community and nearby. If possible consider making plans with close family or friends for how to deal with issues or problems should they arise

6) Check-in with loved ones who may struggle with this. The strength and support that can be shared through even just a phone call make it a worthwhile use of your time

If you would like to know what kinds of resources are available, please check our resource guide also found on this page. Additionally, don’t hesitate to reach out, we’re here to assist however we can

1) DRINK RESPONSIBLY. In case you missed it on the other bulletin we included it here as well

2) Don’t drink and drive. If you’re going to be out with friends or family, make arrangements such as having a designated driver, contracting a rideshare company to take you home, or using public transit

3) It’s also important to note that even if this isn’t an issue for you, unfortunately it is still an issue for others. That being said, please exercise caution when driving late at night, especially in poor weather conditions. If you think alcohol makes someone drive poorly, wait until you see someone drunk trying to drive through several inches of snow and ice

1) Understand and recognize that you’re not alone, and that there are resources to help you. Please give us a call if you need help or if you’re not sure about what to do

2) If you or someone you know has been a victim of domestic violence, you can CLICK HERE to be taken to the official page of the Orem Police Department Victim Advocates. There you can find more information about how to get help, contact information so that you can reach out to a dedicated advocate who can assist you through the process of recovery, and a downloadable resource guide

3) The holiday season can be stressful and difficult, giving each one of us all the more reason to look out for each other. If you’re worried about becoming a victim of domestic violence, or you’re worried for someone you know, don’t hesitate to access the community resources available for such things

1) More than 90% of children who are abused by someone know their abuser. Make sure to provide adequate supervision for your children especially as friends and family visit throughout the holidays

2) It is also helpful to educate children who are mature enough to have this type of conversation about what sorts of things they need to be on the lookout for and how to handle these types of situations

1) Take time for self-care. The holidays can be really stressful for a variety of reasons. Taking regular moments to re-center and take personal inventory can provide a much needed boost of mental and emotional strength

2) Included on this webpage is a great list of resources available in our community, we encourage you to access and make use of them where appropriate

3) Feel free to reach out for support! Cops are great at taking people to jail, it’s true, but we also have a dedicated mental health unit that’s trained in crisis response. And believe it or not, all of our officers are required to be trained up in how to respond and help in times of mental or emotional crisis

4) If you or a loved one or someone you know struggles with these things, we encourage you to take the time to make prevention and response plans this holiday season. We always hope that everything will go smoothly but “fortune favors the prepared” 

BABO, for those of us who work for this great city, stands for “Building a Better Orem” and it’s become an important theme around the city center. So in conjunction with BABO and in the spirit of our “12 Days of Holiday Safety”, Orem City’s Neighborhood Improvement Team has prepared a few general items that will not only help keep you, your loved ones, and our community safer this holiday season but will also keep “Family City USA” looking great

1) Clearing ice and snow! Owners, occupants, tenants, and lessees of private property are responsible for maintaining both their yards and the public sidewalk in front of their homes. Ice and snow must be removed from curbs, gutters, sidewalks, and may be placed in the street as long as it doesn’t obstruct fire hydrants, storm drains, and pedestrian or vehicular traffic. Items that may interfere with plowing and snow removal, such as basketball hoops, should be pulled onto private property during the winter season. “Building a Better Orem” isn’t just about checking items off a to-do list, helping neighbors and others in the community clear the ice and snow from their property are great service projects that can directly impact the well-being of those around us. Make sure to look out for each other this holiday season

2) Trees, hedges, and vegetation oh my! With winter coming up and lots of heavy snow and dry trees on the horizon, property owners should make sure any vegetation they have that overhangs the street or sidewalk is trimmed and not at danger of blocking, falling, or leaning into the public right of way. Orem, Utah is an incredibly active community and making sure to keep sidewalks and roadways clear of vegetation will help keep everyone safe and happy as we continue to enjoy the outdoors year round

3) BIG family get-togethers. It’s not uncommon for friends and family to visit for extended winter festivities, however, be sure to house your guests in a place that’s legal and safe. Travel trailers, campers, RVs, and other similar structures are not suitable for human habitation, and may not house guests for longer than 30 days. If a guest stays longer than 30 days, they will be legally considered an occupant and must abide by the occupancy ordinances in your zone. Additionally, please keep in mind that single family housing may only be occupied by a single family, or up to three unrelated individuals. Multiple families living in one unit, or more than three individuals, is not permitted. Getting together for the holidays can be great fun, but there’s also a lot to be said for having some nice, peaceful R&R (rest and relaxation!). If you’re looking for an excuse to send Aunt Betty packing, or need a reason to get weird uncle Al out the door, feel free to use the above listed city ordinances to reclaim your home and settle into some well deserved solitude