Galway Advertiser 1990/1990_05_02/GA_02051990_E1_010.pdf 

Extracted text

T h e c r i m e rate i n u r b a n centres i n the P r o v i n c e s is r a p i d l y increasing. Sergeant P a t G u e r i n , C r i m e P r e v e n t i o n O f f i c e r tells M a r y 0 ' C o n n o r , i n the second of a t w o - p a r t series, h o w g r e a t e r v i g i l a n c e a m o n g t h e public c a n reduce the l e v e l of opportunist c r i m e .

HOME SECURITY DURING HOLIDAYS
Before you go away for a weekend break or a two week holiday in the sun, you should take the follow ing precautions; 1. Arrange with a trusted neighbour to keep an eye on the house, to report anything unusual or suspicious to the gardai as quickly as possible. 2. Notify your local Garda Station at least 24 hours before leaving, so that extra supervision of the area can be arranged. 3. Supply Gardai with address of destination, and telephone number as well as the names and ad dresses of the person authorised to call to the house during your absence. 4. Cancel deliveries of milk, bread, newspapers etc. Postal Authorities will withold mail deliveries on request. 5. Make provision for any house pets. 6. Ask a trustworthy neighbour to keep an eye on your home for you. 7. Leave a spare key with friends. 8. See that all ladders, garden implements and tools are securely locked away. 9. Lock all outhouses, including garage and greenhouse. 10. Do not draw curtains or place sheets over fur niture, disclosing your likely absence. 11. Buy a timer switch to work lights. 12. Do not leave money or valuables loose around the bouse. Remember there are few really safe hiding places. Valuables are safer lodged in the Bank or locked away in a sturdy floor safe. 13. Do not leave notes for tradesmen, or any other such indication that the house is temporarily unoccupied. 14. Don't broadcast your plans, as you never know who is listening. 15. Secure all outer doors, windows, skylights, fanlights, and cellar openings and take keys with you. Do not lock furniture or it may be damaged on criminal entry. 16. Ask neighbours to ensure that nothing is stick ing out of the letterbox. 17. Leave quickly and quietly and do not draw at tention to yourself.

KEEP BICYCLES SAFE
If you own a bicycle it is sensible to take precau tions against theft. They are very hard to make total ly secure - but chains do deter thieves. The best sort is made from a loop of solid metal - as it is more dif ficult to cut than if a linked chain is used. When you buy a new bicycle, get a proper descrip tion of it. Make a note of the model, make and serial number. It should never be parked at the side or front of a house. Keep it locked away when not in use. Buy a stout chain and a good lock and always try to secure your bicycle to something immovable, like railings and place the lock round one wheel and the frame. Don't forget to take the pump and accessories with you. Always park your bike in a well lit area where there is plenty of activity. Never park in an unlit alley.

LOCK U P Y O U R HOME
It is not advisable to try to save money by buying cheap locks for your home - they make it too easy for the professional burglar to get through. For patio doors, you'll need a special patio lock and for glass panelled doors a mortise security bolt is a must. It is a good idea to fit strong bolts both top and bottom on all of your outside doors. Fit a chain and a peephole door viewer for full security when you want to see who is at the door. Some two-thirds of all thefts happen through win dows especially if the property is on the ground floor. So window locks are of paramount importance. Even if the aspiring burglar tries to smash the glass to get into your home, if you've got a lock fitted, he won't be able to open the window. Burglar alarms are also well worth considering.

A spy hole fitted to a door provides a safe way to identify suspicious callers.

BEWARE OF STRANGERS
The elderly who live alone are easy targets for ruthless criminals. They should be extremely cautious when dealing with strangers. They should not allow any stranger into their home and should not divulge any information about themselves or their homes until they are sure of the caller's identity. Generally speaking, the theft of cash is the main motive for breaking into the homes of the elderly. Old people or those who live alone are advised to keep no more cash than is necessary for their day-to-day use. The elderly are often afraid of using financial institutions because they worry they will lose their pension or be taxed on their savings. But their fears are by and large unfounded. Old people should keep a record of cars and vans that call to their home and neighbours should watch out for anything suspicious. The fact that this is seen to be done is often a sufficient deterrent for criminals. In the recent past, people have been calling to houses in the guise of Department officials. They claim to be checking the water supply but use the op portunity to steal.

HOLIDAY HELP
The last thing you want when you go on holiday is trouble. Follow these tips for a trouble-free time. 1. Make sure you are fully insured, check with the experts. 2. Leave all your valuable jewellery behind. 3. Keep note of passport number, credit card, travellers' cheques. 4. Keep receipts for your travellers' cheques apart from cheques. Never carry them with your passport. 5. Put any valuables in a hotel safe. 6. Lock windows and doors when you go out of your room. 7. Only carry the money you need. 8. Keep away from known high risk areas. 9. Always keep a firm hold of your camera. They are very easily snatched. 10. Carry your bag with the strap across your body not just over your shoulder.

BE A GOOD WITNESS
If you see a burglary or a vehicle theft taking place, don't approach those taking part. Stay calm and telephone the guards. It is worth knowing what in formation about suspects could help. 1. Take note if they are male or female, the col our of their skin and their type of complexion. 2. What age they are and height and built. 3. A description of hair, if they wore glasses, die shape of face and mouth and any distinguishing marks. 4. Observe what clothes the person is wearing. 5. If a vehicle is involved, note the registration number, colour, make and model. S. Take note of the exact time of the crime and the direction in which the getaway car or burglar went.

Beat the criminal with neighbourhood watch