Nicholas DiGregory
in come and gone. The last-second scramblers have stopped raiding the store shelves; gridlocked traffic no longer clogs every highway; and all of the in-laws have (hopefully) returned to their homes. The festivities to close out 2015 and to welcome 2016 are almost a month behind us, and that means you finally have time to relax and recuperate, right?
Unfortunately, the end of the holiday season does not mean that you are in the clear when it comes to crime. While the cold winter months of the new year see a considerable decrease in overall burglary and larceny, your new holiday goodies can make you a target for desperate potential thieves who are trying hard to make ends meet. New cars, appliances, and accessories purchased at holiday sale prices are all tempting objects for a thief who is looking for his next victim.
According to the FBI’s most recent crime statistics, property crime is the most common form of crime in the United States; the year of 2014 saw over 8.27 million recorded cases at a rate of 2,596 instances per 100,000 people. Home burglaries, that is, theft from a structure after unlawful entry, accounted for roughly twenty percent of those property crimes. Theft of items from vehicles accounted for another sixteen percent of property crimes.
Burglary and theft from vehicles are commonplace occurrences that can severely impact your life and the lives of those around you, should you fall victim. To help you protect yourself from such crime, I spoke with local law enforcement about how one can safeguard one’s property from thieves.
Security Tip #1: Think How a Thief Thinks When He Is Scouting for Victims
Thieves vary in skill level and proficiency, but they all tend to stick to a few trends when committing crime. First, thieves are far more likely to target a home or vehicle if they think no one is around. Your home and vehicle are most vulnerable when you are away from them. Thus, never leave signs that you are not home. If you are away from home for an extended period of time, try not to broadcast it over social media until you return home. Having a trusted friend check your mail and visit your home regularly while you are gone is often enough to deter thieves.
Second, thieves like having a covert entrance and escape route. Trim or eliminate any dense shrubbery around your home and driveway. If you live near a forested space or in an area that is removed from other homes, consider putting up motion-sensing lights. Installing even a small fence can also help to discourage thieves.
Security Tip #2: Deny Thieves Easy Access to Your Home and Vehicle
This one should be obvious, but the reality is that many people unintentionally provide thieves with the means to steal their belongings. Always lock the doors and windows to your home and to your cars. Thieves look for easy access to a home or vehicle; they are more likely to steal from you if they can quickly enter and exit your home or vehicle. Never leave your vehicle running while unattended, even for a second. And be cautious when leaving your vehicle’s windows cracked on a hot day; an experienced thief can remove a car window fairly quickly if they can get their fingers through the gap.
Security Tip #3: Keep Track of Your Belongings
The average thief is not looking to make a fortune from his heists. Most thieves steal small items that they can see clearly prior to committing the crime. If you own an expensive computer, television, etc., try not to place it in your home where one can easily see it from an open window. The same goes for your vehicle; never leave a phone, GPS, or purse in your car where it can be seen.
Another way to protect your larger and more expensive belongings is by recording their serial numbers. If a thief steals a belonging with a serial number and tries to pawn or sell it, having that number on record can help find your belonging and implicate the thief.
Security Tip #4: Involve Others in the Community
Thieves prefer to strike victims who are isolated from others. By getting your friends, neighbors, and local law enforcement involved, you can protect yourself more easily and effectively. An active neighborhood watch program can intimidate thieves and assist police investigations should a theft occur. Should you see something suspicious, call the police and then alert your neighbors. Thieves will often reconsider visiting a neighborhood if they notice observant residents who communicate frequently with each other and the local police.
Security Tip #5: Be Smart!
While these tips can help to discourage thieves from stealing your belongings, it is important to note that no home or vehicle can be completely impregnable. If you should encounter a thief or have reason to believe that a thief has entered your home or vehicle, retreat to a secure location and contact the police immediately. And remember, nothing you own is worth more than your life.
