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Over the year 2007, there were noticeable spikes in the residential
burglaries in Santa Fe . Statistics from the Santa Fe Police
Department show that the increase from 2006 to 2007 was almost 300 more
reported incidents. Historically, the nature of policing operated upon
the principle of arrest and incarceration of the offender. The approach
as response rather prevention and mitigation has in part led high crime
rates. A criminal goes to prison and spends time honing his skills and
learning from his mistake, all the while increasing his desire to commit further crimes.
"That reliance of apprehension rather than prevention may not be as
influential in the reduction of crime as the promotion of improved
neighborhood watch programs, vulnerability assessments of properties, and the development of community awareness.
But prior to discussing those programs, let me explain the elements
needed to commit a crime. The Crime element triangle includes:
1. Desire to commit a crime
2. Ability to commit a crime
3. The opportunity to commit the crime
Crime theory can and does assist in crime prevention. Recent
opportunity theories of crime have emphasized principles which are close to the real world. These include the routine activity approach, a
rational choice approach and a crime pattern approach. Each of these
evolves from the old saying "opportunity makes the crime".
Crime opportunities are highly specific. They are concentrated in time and space. Crime opportunities depend upon everyday movements and
offenders shift their targets according to the trips to work, school
and recreational settings. For example burglaries are often conducted
when residents are at work or school. One crime produces opportunity for another.
There are many ways in which this can occur. Burglaries tend to set up other crimes, such as the conditions of buying and selling stolen goods or credit card fraud. A successful break-in may encourage the offender to return at a later date.
Modern crime prevention is opportunity reduction. Neighborhood Watch programs where citizens band together take away opportunity if they are vital and interface with local police. Some of the objectives these programs include "citizens on patrol", establishing a phone tree system, looking out the window or door at the activities, and knowing who belongs in the neighborhood. Suspicious activities, such as strange cars or persons in the neighborhood, children walking in the neighborhoods during school hours, or casing of homes should be reported immediately to the local police for response. What should be reported are the type of activity, the description of the suspicious person, vehicle used, and the direction of travel of the suspect or suspects.
Individually, the reduction of crime opportunity can be done includes “making your home look lived in even when you are out. Use timers for lights, don’t completely draw shades, blinds or curtains, and if you are away for a period have a friend or neighbor pick up the newspaper or mail.
If your home looks like it has been burglarized, don’t enter. Call the police, and let them examine and secure the premises.
Of course, Lock Your Doors. An estimated 51% of all residential burglaries are committed through unlocked doors and windows. Most occur in daylight hours. No forced entry is necessary. Essentially the criminal is “invited in”.
In securing your home, all home entrance doors should be of core construction or metal plated and have good locking devises. Know also who has the keys to your home. New residents should change locks and garage door combinations.
Additionally, mark your property. Use an electronic identification when possible. Include your drivers license or state ID number, not your social security number. Unmarked items should be photographed with a good description listed on the back of the photo (serial number, model, and make).
I shall continue with this in future issues. Until then, I shall conclude these remarks by saying the police, no matter how hard they try, can’t be in every neighborhood all the time. Even if they could, they wouldn’t know who belongs there and who doesn’t. The residents therefore must be the eyes and ears. In such a manner, together, crime can be reduced. And once the criminal is caught, tough prosecution must be to keep him off our streets.
