Security
Ideas Away From the Courthouse for Judges, Spouses, and Family (cont)
Travel and Vehicle Techniques
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Traveling with a cell phone. Making sure battery is fully charged.
- When you’re in your automobile, keep the doors locked at all times.
- Varying your travel routes and times, i.e. shopping, work, school, etc.
- Keeping your name off assigned parking spaces at home and at work.
- Avoiding going alone to events or on trips.
- Before entering your vehicle, being sure there are not bombs behind the wheels or tampering with the hood. One judge routinely checks a string tied on the hood and car doors to assure no one has broken in.
- Taking a quick examination of the interior looking for any signs of hidden persons or tampering.
- Avoiding being paranoid, but being aware if someone is staring at you or following you in a place other than the courthouse.
- Avoiding personalized license plates.
- Not having distinguishing plates on vehicles. Some people feel safer with distinguishing plates, but the Indiana State Police think that makes you a target.
- Parking in well-lighted areas.
- When leaving a shopping center, having key in hand and ready to insert in the lock rather than fumbling for the key at the car.
- When involved in a minor property damage vehicle crash, use your cell phone to call law enforcement, but without identifying yourself as a judge or judge’s family member. Request that the driver of the other vehicle follow you to a well-lighted area to exchange pertinent information.
- If you are traveling without speeding on an isolated country road at night and an unmarked car with a flashing light attempts to stop you, without identifying yourself as a judge or judge’s family member, use your cell phone to call the police station to confirm that they use an unmarked car. If not, tell them your location.
- Not transporting your judicial robe in your automobile by hanging it up unless it is covered with colored paper, plastic, [or fabric carrier] to disguise it. If not covered, laying it flat in your back seat or trunk.
- Avoiding becoming physically involved in the subduing, chase, or apprehension of disorderly persons or escapees
- When out of town for a long period of time, making arrangements with someone to move your vehicles to a different location.
- Letting law enforcement know when you and your family are out of town.
- Not leaving your luggage unattended anywhere.
- Avoiding using your full name and title or home address on luggage tags.