Preventing Residential Burglaries - Essay Example

Preventing Residential Burglaries Introduction Most of the residential burglaries are not by force entry. This means that the residents make it easy for burglars to enter via windows that are left open, unlocked doors, or even a garage. It is necessary to note that burglars target on the homes with easier entrances. Security measures help to make homes look less inviting. This makes the burglar look for other residential areas with poor security (Gillham, 2011, p. 43). The neighbors should work together as a team to reduce the frequency of burglaries.

Preventing residential burglariesCrime prevention experts recommend that the residents should use single cylinder deadbolt lock. In this regard, the locks should be firmly fixed into the wood and not in the light doorjamb. The home will be more save when the lock bolts and screws are long (Bennett & Durie 1999, p. 124). In addition, a wide-angle peephole should be installed in front of the door. This will allow the owner to peep outside easily without opening the door. The peepholes are less expensive and easy to install.

They are also better than the chain latches, which can be easily forced to make it loose. It is imperative that the best locks are worthless if not locked. The doors should be locked even if one is away for minutes. Burglars use the shortest time possible to enter into the house. This is when the residents have gone to the neighbors or mowing the lawn on a quick errand (Gillham, 2011, p. 39).The residents should be aware of their residential areas and even call the police if there is anything suspicious.

Police should be alerted where there are people loitering around, strange cars in the compound, and movement inside an empty house. The neighbors are valuable more than police in detecting the strangers who are not residents of the plot, or a certain home. Residents should be witnesses they can be and try to get safe descriptions.Residents should not open doors to people who do not have any business inside. This is because burglars knock the doors to find if there is anyone inside the house. It is important that families discuss their safety especially with their children.

In this regard, children should be advised not give any information of whoever is in the house, or even open the doors to strangers. They should ask them to introduce themselves so that they cannot keep away genuine visitors (Gillham, 2011, p. 33). Mark and operation identification should be used to mark items, this will help much as the burglars do not like sticking on marked properties. In addition, inventory on the property should be used to help on insurance purposes.An efficient alarm system from established and reputable dealer should be installed.

Alarm systems are easy to use and may be wireless. Alarm system should be monitored such that they alert police in case of any burglary attack. Recently, the block watch has been the successful anticrime program. It is in expensive and effective making sure that we live in a pleasant and save the environment with families. When block watch was put in place some years ago, crime rate reduced by 40% (Bennett & Durie 1999, p. 168). The police could track crime in the neighborhoods easily with the use of block watches.

Bloch watch enables neighbors to look for each other and know each other. Crime reduces when the neighbors participate in reporting any suspicious crime, activity and taking part active role in crime prevention efforts. The police will educate on how to begin using operation id of the block watch on the neighborhood and discuss ways to detect and deter crime. Residents should fight crime by getting organized and teaming up with neighbors to form a block watch.ConclusionCrime will be reduced by a large percentage when alarm systems are installed in every home.

This will enable residents to get reinforcement easily from the police, as there will be instant response. Neighbors should come up together to form block watch for easy monitoring of the homes. This is extremely beneficial as the neighbors can easily identify strangers and raise an alarm. Block watch will enable the police to track a crime easily (Bennett & Durie 1999, p. 124). Strong locks should be installed in homes. This will deter the burglars from making easy entry to the houses. As they are fighting to open the door or window, alarm can be raised.

Strangers should be identified easily, hence, they should not be allowed to enter the house even if they are demanding to deliver crucial information. In every home, residents in are the most prominent people to secure the home.ReferencesBennett, T. & Durie, L. (1999). Preventing residential burglary in Cambridge: from crime audits to targeted strategies. United Kingdom: Home Office, Policing and Reducing Crime Unit, Research, Development and Statistics Directorate.Gillham, J., R., (2011). Preventing Residential Burglary: Toward More Effective Community Programs.

United Kingdom: Springer London Limited.