Local News - July 2002

Homeowners can take steps to head off break-ins

Editor’s Note: This is the second in a two-part story on recent home burglaries in Lincoln County.

—————

By ALICE SMITH, LTN Staff Writer

July 8, 2002 - Protect yourself.

Crimes resulting in thousands of dollars of stolen property happen almost every day in Lincoln County.

And due to a hot summer and a slow economy, break-ins are on the rise in Lincoln County.

However, police say there are simple things residents can do to reduce their chances of being victimized.

Change habits. Lt. Kenny Shrum of the Lincolnton Police Department said the key to diverting a would-be intruder is to alter daily routines and change habits.

Leave for work at different times of the day and take varying routes. Making it difficult for criminals to know when a house will be vacant makes it less likely that they will be confident enough to strike.

If taking a vacation, have a neighbor pick up mail or check on the house regularly.

Let neighbors know if the house will be empty — and tell them to keep an eye out for anything suspicious.

Take precautions. Taking a variety of simple precautions can prevent a home from becoming a crime scene.

Make sure alarms are set and doors and windows are locked. Don’t hide spare keys in typical places, Shrum said, like under the doormat.

Motion detector lights around the house are a good idea, said Detective Lee Keller of the Lincoln County Sheriff’s Office. Check to see if the lights, as well as alarms and locks, are working properly.

Having valuable items like keys, purses, cell phones and CDs lying in plain view in homes or cars invites people to break in. Keep these items hidden.

Be aware. Caution and awareness are important traits to develop.

“Notice vehicles,” Shrum said. “Just because they have a white flag doesn’t mean they’re always broke down.”

If a vehicle looks suspicious, write down the tag number and a description, and call the police.

And keep an eye on unfamiliar people around the neighborhood, like people walking or door-to-door salesmen.

Remove obstacles. Obstacles around the house, such as large bushes or trees in front of windows or doors, offer hiding places for criminals.

Work together. Start a neighborhood watch. This benefits the community and the police.

“The police can’t be everywhere, so the community can be our eyes,” Shrum said. “They can help us as well as we can help them.”

And never, Shrum said, be afraid to call the police for help.

© 2001 Lincoln Times-News  

Terms and Conditions