Working Together To Protect Our Community

At the Noble County Sheriff's Office we take all crimes against our citizens as a very serious matter. This includes everything from crimes of violence, burglaries, and vandalism, to identity theft and scam artists. "If you see or hear anything suspicious - "REPORT IT" when it happens. Nobody knows what goes on in your neighborhood more than you - the citizen.

When You Are At Home

• If you live alone, don't advertise it. Use only your first initial in phone books, directories, and apartment lobbies.
• Get to know your neighbors and keep their phone numbers in case of emergency.
• Work out a "buddy" system with a friend to check on each other daily. If you are worried about a loved one, give us a call to request a well-being check at their home.
• If you arrive home and suspect a stranger is inside, do not go inside. Leave quietly and dial 911 - your safety should always come first.

When you are out...

• Don't carry a purse if you can avoid it. If you must, hold it close to your body-don't let it dangle.
• Never carry a wallet in your back pocket. Put it in an inside jacket pocket or front pocket instead.
• Try not to wait alone at deserted areas. If you can, walk to the nearest area where others may be waiting also.
• When using the bus or other public transportation, sit near the driver if possible.
• Don't overburden yourself with packages and groceries that obstruct your view and make it difficult to react.
• Always have your car or house key in hand as you approach your vehicle or home.

Protect Your Money

• If you receive checks in the mail regularly, arrange instead for them to be deposited directly in your bank account. The Social Security Administration and most pension funds offer this service.
• Avoid carrying large sums of money. If you must, have a friend accompany you.
• Don't sign a check or contract until you are sure you know the details and it is for a legitimate reason. Don't be afraid to delay a signing or to say "NO!"
• Don't keep large sums of money in your home.

Don't Be Conned

• If a deal sounds too good to be true, it probably is! Watch for these schemes:
• The Pigeon Drop- The swindlers claim they have found a large sum of money and offer to share it with you. They ask you to put up some "good faith" money before you get in on the deal. That is the last you will see of your money. You are left with nothing but phony instructions on how to collect your share of the "found" cash.
• The Bank Examiner- A professional-looking person tells you he is a bank official and needs your help in the investigation of a dishonest teller. He asks you to withdraw cash from your savings account and give the money to him so he can check the serial numbers. You do what he asks, and you never see him or your money again.
• Home Repairs- never accept an unsolicited "free" inspection of your furnace, roof, air conditioner, or anything else in your home. And never leave inspectors alone when they are in your home. Don't give them an opportunity to tamper with your home or appliances.
• Buying at the Door-watch for gimmicks or so-called "free" gift offers. When sales people call, wait, don't buy today. If it's legitimate, they'll come back tomorrow. In the meantime, check out the company with your local Consumer Affairs Office or Better Business Bureau.

If you are a victim...

• Don't attempt to resist, you might get injured. Sit down, even on the sidewalk, so you won't get knocked down. Scream and make noise.
• Never pursue a criminal. Call the Sheriff immediately.
• Make an effort to get an accurate description of a criminal-remember things such as age, race, complexion, body build, clothing, height and weight, hair, eyes, or unusual features.
• Contact the Noble Family Violence Council (740)732-2960 to help you deal with the trauma that all crime victims experience.

We are currently enhancing our efforts to fight identity theft by joining forces with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation and Identification (BCII) to help victims as they recover from the crime.

At the Noble County Sheriff's Office, identity theft victims have an accessible place and easier means of reporting the crime. Victims will be issued an Ohio Identity Theft Passport that includes their photograph. This will allow victims to become part of a data base that will assist them in acquiring replacement documents lost when your identity theft is stolen, such as a new driver's license.

In addition to upgrading services to combat identity theft, the sheriff's office is also upgrading its sex offender reporting system, which allows law enforcement to maintain information on the location of sex offenders residing in the county.

Sheriff Hannum says he and his staff are rigorously enforcing Ohio's sex offender registration law and through coordinated efforts with the Noble County Prosecuting Attorney's Office, backed by the Ohio Revised Code, sex offenders are now required to pay a fee to register.