2008 Woodie Awards
Safety precautions help prevent theft, break-ins
Amanda Seef
Issue date: 12/3/08 Section: News
Brockport students living off campus might want to double-check their belongings before leaving for the winter break in mid-December. Additional safety precautions could curtail the chance of a January return, with valuables and personal belongings missing from your off-campus home.
"Don't invite someone to breach the locking system," the Village of Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti said.Varrenti notes that using common sense and few additional safety measures could prevent theft.
To properly safeguard, ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, not just closed windows. Taking valuables, such as electronics and jewlery, home for the break will also reduce the risk of the items being stolen. If residents can not take the valuables home, put them out of sight.
"Remove the opportunity, put the items out of sight," Varrenti said.
Chief Varrenti noted a great measure could be drawing all blinds in your home or apartment. Open blinds allow potential thieves to decide if someone is home, as well as looking inside to see what is available. With closed blinds and shades on windows and glass doors, thieves can't see inside the premises.
"It's also not a bad idea to leave a low-voltage light on," Varrenti said. "An even better idea than that - leave a radio on."
If a thief were to hear a radio or see a when light gaining entrance to the home, he or she will most likely be averted and spooked by a potential witness.
If the rented apartment or house has motion-detection lighting, ensure that it is properly working.
"It's a good way to give somebody the thought of going somewhere else," Varrenti said.
Another way to prevent theft is locking interior doors to bedrooms. It is another step that a potential thief would go through to gain entrance.
"Using these principles when you're home or away is a goodhabit to get into," Varrenti said. "We will never stop people from breaking into homes. It's every man for themselves. You want the person to move on to the next house because yours is too secure and inconvenient to get in to."
"Don't invite someone to breach the locking system," the Village of Brockport Police Chief Daniel Varrenti said.Varrenti notes that using common sense and few additional safety measures could prevent theft.
To properly safeguard, ensure all doors and windows are securely locked, not just closed windows. Taking valuables, such as electronics and jewlery, home for the break will also reduce the risk of the items being stolen. If residents can not take the valuables home, put them out of sight.
"Remove the opportunity, put the items out of sight," Varrenti said.
Chief Varrenti noted a great measure could be drawing all blinds in your home or apartment. Open blinds allow potential thieves to decide if someone is home, as well as looking inside to see what is available. With closed blinds and shades on windows and glass doors, thieves can't see inside the premises.
"It's also not a bad idea to leave a low-voltage light on," Varrenti said. "An even better idea than that - leave a radio on."
If a thief were to hear a radio or see a when light gaining entrance to the home, he or she will most likely be averted and spooked by a potential witness.
If the rented apartment or house has motion-detection lighting, ensure that it is properly working.
"It's a good way to give somebody the thought of going somewhere else," Varrenti said.
Another way to prevent theft is locking interior doors to bedrooms. It is another step that a potential thief would go through to gain entrance.
"Using these principles when you're home or away is a goodhabit to get into," Varrenti said. "We will never stop people from breaking into homes. It's every man for themselves. You want the person to move on to the next house because yours is too secure and inconvenient to get in to."
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