Protecting Your Home

Are you “sensible” as regards your home? To believe that the police will always be able to ward off disaster is unwise. A former burglar writes:

“There are many ways to protect your home, but one notion has consistently proven wrong:

“As long as you rely on the conviction that the arm of the law is mightier than the crowbars of thieves, you cannot stop a burglar.”

Why is it that the police cannot always protect your property? One patrolman admits:

“Let’s be honest. There are just so many [burglaries] being committed these days and there are so many other more important things to watch for that burglaries are now handled on the same level of priority that we used to assign to noise complaints.”

Protection, therefore, largely lies in prevention, ‘foreseeing danger.’ Can your home be made safer? Here are a few suggestions that some have found valuable.

Use good locks. In many suburban and rural areas life is more carefree and not so defensive as in the cities. Almost inadvertently owners leave doors and windows unlocked. Valuable jewelry, tools, televisions, stereos and small appliances are unprotected. Further, only good locks are likely to thwart an intent thief. One manufacturer asserts that the average skilled burglar can pick more than 98 percent of the 500,000,000 locks in Manhattan alone.

If you leave home, keep a few lights burning. Some persons install an automatic timer to turn lights, radio and television on and off automatically, giving strangers the impression the house is occupied. Shine strong lights into your yard, since criminals prefer darkness. Burglar alarms and loud-mouthed dogs may frighten intruders away in your absence. If you will be away for long, perhaps the best protection is to tell a trusted neighbor or friend. He can watch your home and avoid letting papers and mail accumulate​—a sure sign that the occupants are gone.

‘Foresee Danger’ on the Street

Be sensible, too, when you are away from home. Many victims actually contribute to crime against themselves. How?

By where they go, for one thing. If a person is mugged on a dark city street, why was he there? Was it to engage in illegal gambling, to look for drugs or a prostitute? A policeman in Washington points to this often overlooked aspect of the crime problem: “We feel most of the people who get robbed are guys from the suburbs looking for a little action.” Pure motives can be a protection!

How you dress can also get you into trouble. Why wear your finest, most expensive clothing if you will be in an area where crime occurs? Why deck yourself publicly in beautiful jewelry? If you wish to wear jewelry, why not at least wait until you get to your destination to put it on? While coming and going, it is wise to conceal jewelry on your person, not in a purse or wallet.

If circumstances compel you to be in an unsafe area, stay alert, ‘foreseeing danger.’ Walk and act with purpose, as if someone is waiting for you. Avoid walking alone, especially at night. Stay in well-lighted areas if possible. Do not walk near buildings, but next to the curb. If you see someone suspicious ahead or apparently following you, cross to the other side of the street. If he follows, step out into the street. If ever danger is imminent, call for help.

It is best for a woman not to carry a purse; if she must, do not let it dangle at arm’s length. Some men carry two wallets, one with their valuables, the other with “mugger money,” a few dollars for a possible assailant. It is wise always to have money with you should you be threatened. Addicts have been known to kill in anger when persons did not have money.

Protect Your Car:

● Try not to park on dark or deserted streets.

● Take your keys out of the ignition and make sure the doors are locked when you leave your car.

● Lock any packages in the trunk or take them with you.

Protect Yourself from Pickpockets:

● Do not display large sums of money in public.

● Men​—in large crowds it is best for you not to keep your wallet in a hip pocket, even if it is buttoned. If you are jostled while in a crowd, make sure your wallet is yet in place.

● Women​—do not lay your handbag on a counter or floor or in a shopping cart while making purchases. Do not leave your purse on a seat in a public place of assembly. When carrying a load of packages, keep your purse next to your body.

● Beware particularly of strangers who try to put their hands on you. Some may claim that they want to assist you in some way; others may describe their own ailments by touching your body. Such persons may be pickpockets cleverly trying to remove your money.