NCJ Number
53637
Date Published
1973
Length
0 pages
Annotation
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY IS THE MOST COMMON U.S. CRIME, AND CITIZENS INTERESTED IN ABATING ITS INCREASE MUST PROTECT THEMSELVES. THIS PUBLIC EDUCATION FILM ADDRESSES SELF-PROTECTION AND AWARENESS OF BURGLAR METHODS.
Abstract
RESIDENTIAL BURGLARS USUALLY OPERATE BETWEEN THE HOURS OF 9 TO 4 O'CLOCK DURING THE DAY, WHEN A LARGE NUMBER OF HOMES AND APARTMENTS ARE UNOCCUPIED. RESIDENTIAL BURGLARS DO NOT NECESSARILY FIT THE STEREOTYPE OF CRIMINALS, AND ARE OFTEN WHITE, WELL-DRESSED AND GROOMED YOUTHS WHO FIT INTO THE STYLE OF THE NEIGHBORHOODS THEY PREY ON AND ARE EASILY OVERLOOKED BY RESIDENTS. THEY LOOK FOR EASY TARGETS, AVOIDING LOCKED DOORS (PARTICULARLY THOSE WITH SECURE, HEAVY LOCKS), DOGS, AND OTHER DETERRENTS. THEY WORK QUICKLY, MAY COME TO THE DOOR WITH A STORY JUSTIFYING THEIR PRESENCE, AND, IF QUESTIONED ON THE STREET, ARE POLITE AND HAVE A READY ANSWER TO ALLAY SUSPICIONS. TO PROTECT THEMSELVES FROM BURGLARS, RESIDENTS SHOULD KEEP THEIR DOORS LOCKED, EVEN WHEN INSIDE, AND PREFERABLY WITH A DEAD-BOLT LOCK, MARK ALL HOUSEHOLD VALUABLES WITH THEIR DRIVERS LICENSE NUMBERS AND REPORT THESE VALUABLES AND THEIR NUMBERS TO THE POLICE IN ANTICIPATION OF A BURGLARY, AND PROVIDE THEIR HOME WITH SOME KIND OF DEVICE A WATCHDOG, ALARM SYSTEM, ETC., TO ALERT THEM TO INTRUDERS. MOREOVER, RESIDENTS SHOULD KNOW THEIR NEIGHBORS SO THAT STRANGERS IN THE AREA ARE NOTICEABLE AND SO THAT THOSE NEIGHBORS AT HOME DURING THE DAY WILL KNOW OTHERS' PLANS AND SCHEDULES AND BE ABLE TO REPORT ANY SUSPICIOUS INCIDENTS TO POLICE. (DAG)