Security & Fraud

Spotting a burglar

by Frank Fourchalk

Saturday, September 16, 2006

Would you know a burglar if you saw one? No, I'm not talking about the guy lurking around at night with a crowbar and a black mask. I'm talking about the modern day burglar who prefers to work days over nights.

If we want to decrease the break and enter numbers, we need to be able to spot a perpetrator before he or she commits the crime. Knowledge is key in the battle against crime, and becoming an astute observer is a great place to start.

Since most burglaries occur during the daytime, the likelihood of spotting a burglar is relatively high if you know what to look for. For example if you notice a vehicle driving slowing around the neighborhood aimlessly, don't assume they are lost or looking for an address.

They might be casing out houses looking for ways to commit a crime by observing occupancy or weak access points like open windows or hidden doors. If you see this type of suspicious activity, write down the license plate and description of the person or persons occupying the vehicle. It might just be what the police need to solve a neighborhood break-in.

Go with your intuition, if you feel an afternoon stroller is paying too much attention to you or your neighbors home, it might not be the landscaping they are interested in. Burglars can mimic neighbors, so don't disregard those intuitions. Let the stroller know you have see them and always alert your neighbors of the suspicious activity.

The great summer weather brings out all sorts of door to door activity. Don't let a well dressed person fool you. Yes they may be a salesman peddling their wares, or they may have a hidden agenda up their sleeve in the shape of a crowbar. If you see a well dressed person delivering leaflets in your neighborhood, ask a few questions about their service. It won't take you long to figure out whether they are legit or not.

Don't be too quick to brush off a wrong number or hang-up phone call. If you experience wrong numbers or hang ups, make sure you purchase an unlisted number and while your at it why not purchase an answering machine? If a thief is using the phone as a trade instrument, he or she will be turned off by an answering machine message indicating you can't come to the phone right now. Bad Guys hate the possibility of doubt, after all somebody could be home.

Make arrangements with your neighbors to call each other if you see a stranger being let in. Your neighbor may innocently let a salesperson into his or her home and find out once inside the salesperson has other intentions.

The summer tends to put a whole new look on the world in which we live. A look that makes us realize how fortunate we are to live in such a beautiful part of the world. But lets not lose focus on the fact that even in this part of the world every rose has a thorn.

Please check out my new Web site at www.yourhomesecurity.ca or e-mail me at . Columns 2006 2005 2004