Safety fashion show held for area seniors

The Broken Arrow Police Department sponsored a unique fashion show Tuesday. It featured models from ONG, PSO, Fed Ex and local police and fire departments. <br><br>The idea is to show senior citizens

Tuesday, April 29th 2003, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

The Broken Arrow Police Department sponsored a unique fashion show Tuesday. It featured models from ONG, PSO, Fed Ex and local police and fire departments.

The idea is to show senior citizens what legitimate uniforms look like so a con artist knocking on their door wonâ€™t scam them. News on 6 crime reporter Lori Fullbright takes a look at what everyone should know when a stranger knocks.

First step when answering the door to a stranger, keep it locked and talk through it. Next, ask for an ID, no matter who they say they're with. And then, ask for a number of their supervisor to ensure they're supposed to be at your home.

Tulsa Police detective Rod Russo, "If it's a city worker or a salesman, they'll have ID. If they can't provide that through the door, don't answer it." Another trick is to pretend you're on the phone while at the door or pretend someone is inside with you while you're finding out what the person wants.

The one thing you should never do is pretend you're not home. They could consider your house a burglary target and kick the door in to steal your stuff and find you inside. Even if you've lived in your home a long time and believe your neighborhood is safe, you could still be a target, criminals depend on a trusting nature. "There's a lot of conmen who can talk the talk and weasel their way in without an ID. Just because they look clean cut doesn't mean they are."

For the best protection, remember, the best person to look out for your own safety, is you. Police say this is the time of year when more people are out in neighborhoods, working their scams, so be leery of those selling services door-to-door, especially roofing and driveway repair.