October is National Crime Prevention Month

Remember McGruff the Crime Dog urging you to take a bite out of crime? McGruff has been the mascot of the National Crime Prevention Council since 1984, and every October the council observes National Crime Prevention Month as a way to help educate people about the things they can do to keep themselves, their families, and their communities safer. 

People worry a lot about home burglary and home invasion, but the truth is that these crimes are rare, and rarely random. Still, you can’t let statistics make you complacent, so it is a good idea to do some simple things to make your home less attractive to criminals. 

Take a look at your house with a burglar’s eyes. Are there dark, sheltered places near windows or doors where a criminal could lurk as they try to break in? Lights near doors in the front and back of the house can deter burglars who would prefer to remain out of the spotlight. Trim back bushes near the house so they don’t have anywhere to hide. You might consider adding cameras or an alarm. Always lock all of your doors, including the garage, whether you are away from the house or inside.

Most criminals are opportunists, checking for unlocked doors along a whole block, but sometimes burglars specifically target their victims. Don’t throw away boxes that tell everyone about the expensive equipment you just bought. Avoid posting about money, luxury items, or collectables on social media, or flashing cash in public. Don’t post about when you’ll be on vacation either. 

Vehicles are more frequent targets than homes. A team of burglars can check all the cars in a neighborhood within a few minutes, quickly rifling through any that are left unlocked. You shouldn’t leave any valuables in your car, but people leave cash, credit cards, tools, and even firearms in unlocked vehicles. 

Think about your personal safety, too. Be aware of your environment. Wherever you go, make note of how you’ll get away if you need to. Criminals are looking for an easy target, so don’t look like one. Walk with confidence, and make calm eye contact so people know you see them. Keep money concealed, and carry bags crossbody so they’re harder to snatch. 

Another way to keep yourself safe is to stay abreast of crime trends nationally and in your own community. You can subscribe to the Federal Trade Commission’s Consumer Alerts, and follow the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office’s social media to get alerts about the ways criminals are scamming people. There are plenty of ways to meet law enforcement officers and learn more about how to keep yourself safe. Take part in our Sheriff’s Citizens Academy, or meet deputies at Coffee with a Cop. Get engaged and ask questions.

You might even want to join or start a Neighborhood Watch. You can visit our website, PinellasSheriff.gov, to find more ways to stay engaged. If we work together, we can make your entire neighborhood a hard target for criminals.