|
 Crimes
against property such as damage and theft make up the majority of
crime committed in today's society. They
are also the kinds of crimes that people seem the most ill-prepared
for; particularly in their own home. While you may not be able
to completely safeguard yourself or your home from becoming a victim
of a crime, there
are things that you can do that greatly reduce the chances
of becoming another statistic.
The first method of crime
prevention is through your environment. Look
around your home. What areas of your home may easily be accessible
to someone who wants to gain entry illegally? Most crimes
occur in darkness or where the act is shielded from the eye
of the public. Are windows and doors of your home covered
by shrubbery or other vegetation? Are entryways sheltered
by awnings or constructed in a manner that would obscure
visibility? Are the areas of your property poorly lit?
While we would like our home to be beautiful, plan
your landscaping so that the windows and doors of your home are
not shielded from public view. At night, make sure that the areas
of your property that are naturally dark are lit by some means
of artificial lighting: lamp posts, porch lights, solar lights,
etc. all of which can be set on timers or set motion sensors.
Criminals will not stay in areas where they can be seen.
Secondly,
is your home secure? Most
people have locks on their doors and windows, but are they
secure? Most of your average door locks are not that
secure. They can be easily pried open with a screwdriver
or credit card. Many can be broken with a good solid
kick. It is recommended that all door be secured with
a dead bolt lock. If you have a door that has windows,
it is recommended that you use a deadbolt lock that requires
a key from the inside as well as outside. However,
you must remember that while you want to keep the key readily
accessible - do not leave it in the door! Neither is
it recommended that you hide a spare key outdoors (ie. under
the door mat, under a rock or shell, etc.) While we
have all locked ourselves out of the house, it is safer to
keep a spare key on your person or perhaps leaving it with
a friend or family member.
Also,
there are a wide variety of window locks on the market. Shop
around and find out which ones are the best for you. In
addition to the window lock, some people may place a screw
or nail into the window jamb that may be removed but,
while in place, prevent the window from being fully raised.
Finally,
if your home is going to be empty for long periods of time,
you may want to consider installing an alarm system. There
are many different types of alarms in a wide range of prices. Again,
shop around and find out what best suits your needs. Some
alarm systems are connected with a central dispatching system
which will notify the Sheriff's Office when the alarm
is activated and some systems simply emit an audible alarm. Some
systems are connected to door and/or windows and some work
on motion detectors. The type you choose is dependant
upon your individual needs.
In
the event that you should become the victim of a property crime,
there are things that you can do which would help the Sheriff
and increase your chances of recovering your property. Keep
a written record (two copies would be best) of the makes, models
and serial numbers for all your electronic equipment, home
appliances, bicycles,
etc. These items specifically identify your property and can be
traced nationwide. For all items that can not be identified using
a unique number such as jewelry, collectibles, etc, take pictures of
those items and record any identifying marks. You may additionally
mark personal items such as tools or electronics using an engraver. Use
information that is unique such as a driver's license number.
Having
the best defense against crime is presenting a good offense. To
do that we must all work together: the homeowner, the Sheriff's
Office and the public as a whole. The Sheriff's Office has no better
friend than a nosey neighbor. Take notice of what goes on in your
neighborhood. If you see something strange or out of place, do
not hesitate to call the Sheriff. Call immediately!! If
you see a strange person, take notice of their appearance. Could
you describe what they looked like or what they were wearing? If
you see a car on your street that you've never seen before, can you
describe the kind of car or what the license plate was? All of
these things help us better secure our lives and our property. Don't
become a victim; rather, take an active part in safeguarding
your community.
To Sum Up:
|
Remove any shrubs or other vegetation covering windows and/or
doors. |
|
Use
various forms of lighting to expose poorly lit areas
especially around windows and doors. |
|
Install
deadbolt locks on all doors and invest in secure locks
for windows, particularly those on the ground floor. |
|
Never hide a
spare key outdoors. |
|
Consider
installing an alarm system in your home particularly if
the house is empty for long periods of time. |
| |
Record the
make, model and serial number for all property and
photograph those items without unique identifiers. |
|
Become a nosey neighbor!
Be aware of what's going on in your neighborhood.
|
|
