Are You Prepared for Burglary and Theft?

Being prepared covers many topics, from physical preparedness, such as food, water, and shelter to natural disasters to the recent uptick of crime as our world’s stability is threatened. Our “new normal” is a world many of us are being forced to face..

Post pandemic statistics reveal that crime is on the rise. According to the July 2022 report from Council on Criminal Justice crime post pandemic has been on the rise. They surveyed 29 major cities for 10 violent, property, and drug offenses in across the US and reported their findings:

• Over the past two years, homicides and gun assaults trended upward while most property crimes receded. In the first half of 2022, crime patterns partially reversed: in particular, homicides and gun assaults declined while property crimes rose.
• The number of homicides declined by 2% in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021 (a decrease of 54 homicides). While this reduction is heartening, the homicide rate is still 39% higher than it was during the first half of 2019, before the COVID-19 pandemic.
• The number of gun assaults dropped by 6% in the first half of 2022, but this trend is based on data from just 12 cities and should be viewed with caution.
• Aggravated assaults (+4%) and robberies (+19%) increased in the first half of 2022 compared to the first half of 2021.
• Domestic violence incidents decreased by 5% between the first half of 2021 and the first half of 2022. This result is based on just 12 cities studied and should be viewed with caution.
• Residential burglaries (+6%), nonresidential burglaries (+8%), larcenies (+20%), and motor vehicle thefts (+15%) all increased in the first half of 2022 compared to the first six months of 2021.
• Drug offenses dropped by 7% in the first half of 2022 over the first half of 2021.

As we delve deeper into the cause of this phenomena, we discover there are widely different views as to why this is happening. The objective to preparedness, however, is to be aware of these statistics so you don’t become one.

Aggravated assaults, robberies, residential burglaries, larcenies, and vehicle thefts are some of the most likely crimes the general populace will encounter.

Below are some excellent tips taken from the Sacramento Police Department. Courses on personal self defense are becoming more and more important in our rapidly changing world. Take the time to look up your local self defense courses and have all able-bodied members of your family or group take the course.

The city of Sacramento police department has an excellent webpage devoted on personal safety:

Safety and crime prevention Tips

Three factors must be present for a crime to occur: desire, ability and opportunity. You can have a significant impact on the last one – opportunity – and reduce crime by following these simple crime prevention tips.

At Home

• Use a door viewer before opening your door. Always demand identification from strangers (even repair or sales persons).
• Always lock up your home before leaving and don’t hide your house keys outdoors anywhere.
• Have keys ready and in your hand for immediate use when you return home.
• Use interior and exterior lighting at all times.
• Always use Safe Internet Shopping practices.
• Shred credit card offers and bank statements before you throw them away if you do not plan on using them.
• Hide or destroy boxes from expensive purchases.
• Do not answer personal questions about your home such as type of alarm, daytime occupancy, etc.
• Do not let people inside your home (to use the bathroom, phone, etc.).
• Avoid mail theft by obtaining a locked mailbox and dropping off outgoing mail at the local post office.
• Do not give out your personal information or credit card number over the phone unless you initiated the call.
• Check out the Home Burglary Prevention Tips.
• Safeguard your home and yourself while you are away with Vacation Safety.

Metal Theft

(There are videos available for the prevention of catalytic converter theft and others on the website)

• Learn how to prevent Catalytic Converter Theft.
• Protect your home against Air Conditioner Theft.
• Learn how to prevent Tailgate Theft.

Personal Safety

• Rape is a violent crime, an invasion, a frightening experience. By being aware of some Rape Prevention Tips, a person can reduce the likelihood of becoming a rape victim.
• Teen Dating Violence: Statistics show that one in three teenagers has experienced violence in a dating relationship.

Personal Safety Videos

The Sacramento Police Department has created several powerful public service announcement videos to educate and keep the public safe. They, as well as a variety of safety videos, can be found on our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/user/sacpd/videos.
Public service announcements video links:

• Stranger Danger
• Street Racing
• Gangs
• Cyber Safety
• Holiday Crime Prevention Tips

Walking

• Plan your route ahead of time. Never walk alone at night; walk with a friend or your dog.
• Use well-lit streets, not dark alleys or bushy areas.
• Carry signaling devices like shriek alarms or a whistle.
• Carry defensive devices such as pepper spray.
• Be alert to what’s all around you! Look behind you occasionally.
• Never ask for or accept a ride from a stranger.
• Don’t carry large sums of money or wear valuable jewelry.
• Don’t resist an armed robber. Hand over whatever is demanded quickly and quietly.
• Remember, your life and safety is worth more than any personal property.

Purse/Wallet Protection

• If possible, don’t carry a purse. Never carry anything you can’t afford to lose in it.
• Carry your purse across the front of your body, with your forearm across the front of the purse and your elbow held tightly against your side.
• Carry your keys, wallet or other valuables in pockets in your clothes and not in your hand.
• Carry minimum amounts of cash and credit cards. Keep a record of all of your card numbers.
• Check out how to prevent Identity Theft and what to do if you are a victim of it.
• Be sure to also look at tips on ATM Awareness.

Driving

• Always look inside your vehicle before getting in.
• Lock all doors immediately after you are in the vehicle.
• Never pick up hitchhikers.
• If a stranger approaches while you are in a vehicle, keep the windows up, doors locked and engine running.
• Honk your horn if you need to attract attention.
• Park in well-lit areas at night.
• Always lock your car when leaving it.
• Consider installing an auto burglar alarm system.
• Don’t leave anything valuable in your car if possible.