Burglary/Theft Prevention for your residence

Every resident is charged with the responsibility of taking the necessary steps to protect themselves from becoming the next potential victim of burglary or theft.

There are many different ways in which citizens can improve their odds against victimization and we will discuss a wide array of them. However, a criminal will always strike at the weakest point that requires the least amount of effort, the least amount of time and with the best chance at being successful. There is no one single means by which to protect yourself as it will take an objective eye and open mind to evaluate several different areas of vulnerability within your home's current security level. Unfortunately the days of being able to leave your front door unlocked is a thing of the past but it doesn't mean that we have to lead a secluded life locked behind our fortress either. What is does mean is that we have to be a little more cognizant of the little things that we can do that will make a tremendous difference in reducing our potential of being burglarized.

Burglary prevention involves five (5) concepts:

• deter
• deny
• delay
• detect
• deceive

An effective burglary prevention program is based upon appropriate action to implement these five concepts.

Deter:

Subscribe to the Operation Identification (Operation I.D.) program and when completed, affix the decals to let potential burglars know that property items were inventoried and marked. Light accessible locations of the yard during night time hours.

Deny:

Place valuables in a secure location, e.g., wall safe or security closet.

Delay:

Install key-locking latches on windows.

Detect:

Install an alarm system. Join a Neighborhood Crime Watch Program so the neighbors can help to watch each others homes.

Deceive:

Place automatic timers on lights to simulate the home being occupied. Have neighbors pick up mail and other deliveries and mow the lawn to maintain a lived-in appearance.

These five (5) preventive concepts can also aid in apprehension. The longer the burglar is denied entry, the greater the chances for observation by neighbors and apprehension by law enforcement.

You cannot make a residence absolutely burglar-proof, but you can make the possibility of entry so difficult that the burglar will go elsewhere in search of an easier target. The more crime prevention steps you take, the greater your security.