An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure. Or maybe, a gram of prevention is worth a kilogram of cure now-a-days.
This saying is still very applicable regarding many things, including crime in today’s world, as preventing something is generally easier than having to deal with the aftermath.
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Most people are likely familiar with simple things they could do to prevent themselves from becoming a victim of crime. I know remembering to lock vehicle doors will prevent someone from “car-hopping,” checking door handles for unlocked vehicles to be able to rummage through them. Luckily in my case, they only got some spare change from a vehicle that was always locked, except this once. Well, maybe not always.
Removing items from plain sight is easy and quite effective. This extends to any type of property, including our homes/yards. A crime of opportunity is a real thing and would absolutely be prevented if no opportunity was presented. Also, the more difficult a crime is to commit, the less likely someone is to commit it.
Document your belongings, inside and outside, including model and serial numbers if applicable. Photographing stolen property is very beneficial for law enforcement. This also includes vehicles. We can get stock photos of vehicles but they won’t show any specifics to yours such as dents, scratches, stickers or anything else that has been added to the vehicle since it was manufactured. In addition, we internally distribute crime notices.Being able to include actual photos of the stolen goods enhances the process.
Have someone computer savvy in your household? Create a spreadsheet listing your items, which could include a photo. Yes, it is a bit of work, but great for police, insurance companies and warranties.
Law enforcement recover a lot of property unidentifiable to an owner. Power and hand tools are property types seized with regularity that ownership cannot be determined. Most everything can be marked in some way, often secretly, making it easier for police to determine who owns it.
Lock gates, keep fences in good repair, light up your property and install recording security cameras. Motion sensor lights are relatively inexpensive and criminals don’t like to be lit up. Be seen. By this I mean be out and about and be seen. An active property is a deterrent because thieves like to operate in the shadows. Say hello to anyone you don’t know going through the neighborhood. A busy area can send a thief down the road looking for easier targets.
Lastly, never leave your wallet/purse in a vehicle or a vehicle running for ‘just a minute.’ Know anyone whose vehicle was stolen while they were putting air in a tire? I do.
– Staff Sgt. Jerry Nutbown, is the NCO in charge of the Lloydminster RCMP detachment’s General Investigation Section. Stay tuned for future articles from the Lloydminster RCMP.
This column was originally published in the Nov. 21, 2024, edition of the Meridian Source.
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