Lock your doors and windows. Burglars are opportunists who look for an unlocked window or door before forcing entry. If you close a window because it’s either too hot or too cold outside, lock it. Opportunity removed. Unlock it when you want to reopen the window.

 

If you have a door or window that will not close properly, or will not lock (sometimes due to warping or foundation shifting), make an adjustment or initiate some kind of temporary fix instead of taking a chance that a predator will not seize that opportunity. Crossed fingers do not keep out burglars.

 

If you have a security (alarm) system, use it. What is the point of paying a monthly monitoring fee if one does not utilize the system for its intended purpose? Yes, the one time you do not arm the system for the quick trip to the store is the one time…Actually, the “one time” becomes more and more frequent because it is an inconvenience to pause at the keypad to arm and disarm. Over time, the system becomes rarely used. So guess-who comes along and stumbles into an opportunity?

 

Leaving a key outside is never a good idea because we all use the same hiding places…under the flower pot, over the door, under the mat, or in the fake rock made specifically for hiding a key. If you must leave a key outside for someone, venture beyond the obvious and find an uncommon location, reducing the opportunity for the wrong person to find a key.

 

Are you noticing the word “opportunity”?

 

Crime prevention is the practice of identifying and removing the opportunity for crime to occur. While we all can do a pretty good job of recognizing a potential weakness, it is the next step…taking the action to remove or reduce that opportunity…that catches many of us flat-footed. Developing good security habits might discourage a crime against you or a loved one that did not have to happen. “If only…” is how it begins. Predators look for any opportunity to take advantage of a weakness. Will you provide it?

 

John Corbitt #304

Crime Prevention Officer

Richardson Police Department