Crime Prevention

For a crime to take place, three elements must be present:

• Desire
• Ability
• Opportunity

To have a desire to commit a crime encompasses many facets of psychological human behavior. Family values, social status, education and religion all play a role in forming desire.

Ability to commit a crime is dependent upon the individual's capability to perform the crime, which varies from person to person.

The capacity to alter either desire or ability is very difficult from a law enforcement perspective. Eliminating the desire to commit a crime requires education. If a person has an understanding of the consequences faced when considering to commit a crime such as fines, jail, criminal record and victim's loss they might chose not to perform the illegal act.

There are few programs in use today that teach the general public law related subject matter. DARE (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative program in which law enforcement and public schools join together to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence. GREAT (Gang Resistance Education And Training) is program specifically tailored to address youth gang problems in schools.

The only remedy to remove a person's ability to commit a crime is incarceration, probation and parole. These deterrent methods are only viable after an initial crime has been committed and has no bearing on first time offenders.

As desire and ability are highly reliant upon variables beyond the control of behavioral circumstances, crime prevention focuses on decreasing the opportunity for crimes to occur. Teaching citizens to recognize the opportunities they or their neighbors might present for criminal activity to occur is the goal of law enforcement.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about crime prevention contact Community Resources at 970-586-4464 ext.3057

Crime Prevention tips

While anyone of any age can be a victim of crime, children, women and seniors are usually targeted more frequently.

Personal Safety

• If you live alone, use only first initials with surname on mailboxes, directories etc.
• Never open your door to a stranger who does not show proper identification.
• Arrange a buddy system so that someone has a key to your home and is aware of your whereabouts, especially if you live alone.
• Do not display large amounts of money in public nor keep it in the home.
• Do not leave keys hidden in obvious places.
• Use the buddy system to go shopping or exercising.
• Walk on well-lit streets away from alleys, particularly, if you must walk alone at night.
• When in public, always beware of your surroundings. Be mindful of persons loitering or acting suspiciously.

Vehicle Safety

• Let people know where you are traveling, the route you are taking and how long you anticipate you will be away.
• Carry an emergency kit in your car, in case of a break down.
• Never pick up hitchhikers, If you see a person stranded in a vehicle then call the Police Department to help them, do not attempt to help them yourself.
• While driving in unfamiliar areas keep your doors locked and windows rolled up.
• Have your keys ready as you approach your vehicle and look in the front and back seats before you enter.
• To help find your vehicle in parking lots, park in a well-lit area, this could also deter other criminal activity directed at you or your vehicle.

Burglary Prevention Tips

In 1998 Over 2,329,950 burglaries occurred in the United States, as reported by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Most burglaries are crimes of opportunity, so learn how to protect your valuables by forming a Neighborhood Watch program.

• Install a deadbolt lock. Deadbolts are usually locked with a key from the outside and a thumb turn on the inside. The cylinder should be pick resistant. Lock your doors every time you leave the house, even if you're leaving for just a few minutes during the day. The most popular times for residential burglaries are weekday daylight hours. Thirty three percent of reported burglaries were entered through open doors and windows. Lock your doors and windows.
• Install solid doors. Outside doors should be metal or solid hardwood and at least 1 3/4 inches thick. Frames must be made of equally strong material and each door must fit its frame securely.
• Keep garage doors closed and locked.
• Secure sliding doors and windows. Cut a broom handle to the length of the bottom track so that the window or door will not slide open when forced. Also, drill one hole through both casings and sliding window and insert a nail or pin.
• Secure sash windows. To prevent wooden sash windows from being pried open, drill a downward sloping hole into the top of the bottom window through and into the bottom of the top window and insert a pin or nail. To prevent aluminum sash windows from being entered, purchase a track lock that blocks the window track.
• Mark your property. Mark your valuables with an engraver. Marking your property serves as a deterrent to would-be burglars and it helps police in identifying and returning stolen property. Make a property identification list. Put warning stickers on doors and windows.
• Purchase a burglar alarm. A home alarm system can be a very effective burglary deterrent and fit into many people's needs. Remember to test your system monthly.
• Leave a light on. When leaving on trips, leave a light on in the bathroom. In the bedroom, attach a lamp and radio to a 24-hour electric timer set to go on at dusk and off at your bedtime. Close bedroom drapes or blinds.
• Use proper exterior lighting. The most cost effective deterrent for preventing a home burglary is security lighting. Place a light over every door. Double style lights on each corner of the house will also light up windows.
• Work together with your neighbors. When you are going to be away, notify a trusted neighbor and ask them to watch your property. Have neighbors maintain your yard. When on vacation, have someone cut grass. Shrubbery should not hide neighbors' view of windows or doors. Have someone pick up newspapers and mail. Tell neighbors to call police if they notice anything suspicious.

If you are interested in obtaining more information about crime prevention contact Community Resources at 970-577-3822.