- Don't be a victim of crime
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By Myrna Trauntvein
Times-News Correspondent
If you have any information on any crime, feel threatened, or see what you believe may be a crime in progress, please call the local police department, if you live in Nephi, or the Sheriff’s Office, if you live in Mona, Levan, Rocky Ridge or the county.
If you are the victim of a crime you should report that crime immediately.
Delay in reporting hampers investigation and lessons the chance of making an arrest and recovering property.
Housebreaking is a crime that we all fear, but there are a number of different ways that you can help to deter burglars.
Burglars prefer to gain easy access to homes, so the harder you make it for the criminal the lower your chances are of becoming a victim. In addition, if you do become a victim, there are measures that you can take to increase the chance that your goods will be returned to you if they are later recovered by the police.
Here are some ways that you can protect your property:
Security mark your property with a UV marker or an etching pen. You can use the UV pen to place an invisible imprint of your zip code and house number on your possessions. The etching pen will allow a permanent mark. Both help identify your belongings if they are stolen and recovered.
Placing a sticker on a conspicuous window of your home that states your possessions have been security marked will also help to deter thieves. Ask for one of these stickers at your local police station.
Most house break-ins are committed by opportunist thieves who do not have to break-in due to a door or window having been left open, so keeping your home securely locked at all times is the best deterrent to thieves.
Speak to an officer at your local police department office about the safety devices (locks, timers, lighting etc.) and procedures (closing curtains after dark, canceling regular deliveries when you are on vacation etc.) that you can put in place to increase the security of your property.
If you live in an apartment or in a condo, avoid putting your name, address or room number on your key ring. If it is lost or stolen, the thief will have information that could direct them to your home and your property.
If other people—such as previous tenants—could be in possession of keys that fit the locks in your home, then change the locks.
Do not give keys to tradesmen as they can make copies quickly and easily.
If you see signs of a break-in at your home—like a broken window or an open door—don’t go in. The burglar may still be inside. Instead, go to a neighbor and call the police.
If you are selling your home, don’t show people around on your own. Ask your real estate agent to send a representative to accompany anyone who wants to view the house. Opportunist thieves can use such opportunities to steal your possessions.
Involve your neighbors. This is one of the most effective forms of crime prevention. The more people involved in watching your home (in turn for you watching theirs), the better chance crime can be prevented.
Also, one of the neighbors can document all suspicious activity to use as evidence later. The power of the neighborhood is that it provides witness protection and it helps you get your belongings back faster if they are stolen.
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