NCJ Number
54393
Date Published
1978
Length
38 pages
Annotation
THIS HANDBOOK FOR HOMEOWNERS AND APARTMENT DWELLERS ASSESSES HOME SECURITY SYSTEMS, EVALUATES USE OF CITIZEN PATROLS AND PRIVATE GUARDS, AND DISCUSSES THE ROLE OF LOCAL POLICE IN COOPERATIVE SECURITY.
Abstract
A BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF COMMON CATEGORIES OF SECURITY HARDWARE EITHER AVAILABLE IN THE RESIDENTIAL MARKET OR WITH SOME APPLICABILITY TO THE RESIDENTIAL SETTING IS PROVIDED. THE DISCUSSION OF HARDWARE PERTAINS TO THE DOOR SYSTEM (THE DOOR ITSELF, THE HINGES, AND THE LOCKING DEVICE), WINDOWS AND SLIDING GLASS DOORS, LIGHTING, AND MECHANICAL, ELECTROMECHANICAL AND ELECTRONIC SECURITY EQUIPMENT. ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF EMPLOYING NEIGHBORHOOD CITIZEN PATROLS, TENANT PATROLS, OR PRIVATELY HIRED NEIGHBORHOOD GUARDS ARE DISCUSSED. PATROLS ARE RELATIVELY INEXPENSIVE, CAN BE EFFECTIVE IN PERFORMING A SURVEILLANCE FUNCTION, AND INDIRECTLY IMPROVE THE INDIVIDUAL'S ABILITY TO DEAL WITH CRIME. HOWEVER, THEY TEND TO BE SHORT LIVED SINCE PATROLLING IS BORING AND COMMUNITY INTEREST IN PATROLLING FLUCTUATES. POLICE ARE OFTEN RELUCTANT TO COOPERATE WITH THE PATROL AND MAY OPPOSE IT SINCE IT INTERFERES WITH THEIR JOB OR IT IMPLIES THAT THEY ARE INEFFECTIVE. USE OF A PRIVATE GUARD SYSTEM IS EXPENSIVE. THE GUARDS ARE OFTEN POORLY TRAINED WITH LITTLE CAPABILITY TO RESPOND TO AN EMERGENCY SITUATION, THOUGH A GUARD CAN ALERT POLICE IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY. RESIDENTIAL SECURITY IS LOW ON THE PRIORITY LIST OF MOST POLICE DEPARTMENTS, RESIDENTIAL AREAS ARE DIFFICULT TO PATROL, AND POLICE ABILITY TO APPREHEND RESIDENTIAL BURGLARS IS LIMITED. SOME POLICE DEPARTMENTS HAVE STARTED CONDUCTING INSPECTIONS TO ASSESS A UNIT'S VULNERABILITY TO CRIME. A 15-POINT HOME SECURITY CHECK LIST IS OFFERED. DRAWINGS ILLUSTRATE THE TEXT. (DAG)