Taking preventative measure to stop crime

  • Published
  • By Stephen G Parker
  • Chief, Security Forces Investigations
MALMSTROM AIR FORCE BASE, Mont. --  With the summer season upon us, now is the time to start practicing some very simple and easy prevention steps to prevent becoming a victim of a vehicle break in. These actions only take a few seconds to perform, however the payoff is immeasurable. To become a victim of a crime three elements have to fall into place: opportunity for the thief, a victim, and items to steal. You can very easily remove two of these elements from the crime triangle: the victim and items to steal. Larceny from a motor vehicle is one of the fastest growing crimes not only in Montana, but throughout the country, according to the FBI annual uniform crime report. It further states that more valuables are lost each year due to breaking and entering of a vehicle than to breaking and entering into homes.

Often times citizens present a golden opportunity to thieves. The idea of, "nothing happens on a military installation" many times comes back to haunt citizens. It literally only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to enter your vehicle and remove valuables. We want to be a success in our chosen professions and this is the same mind set of criminals. They want to be successful at being a thief.

Please help Law Enforcement protect you from becoming a victim by practicing these crime prevention steps:

· If you have an alarm on your vehicle engage it as soon as you exit the vehicle.

· Make sure the vehicle's windows are rolled up before parking.

· At home, make sure your garage door is kept down. If your vehicle is parked in your driveway, make sure that the keys are removed, the windows are up, and the doors are locked.

· Secure valuables, purses included, in the trunk area of your vehicle. While doing this keep a constant visual on your surroundings.

· Do not leave "spare" change out in the open. To many, this change can be a small fortune.

· Do not leave valuables in plain sight in the passenger area of your vehicle.

· If your vehicle is equipped with a removable face plate for the stereo, remove and secure it whenever possible.

If you see suspicious activities report it immediately to the police by dialing 911. Do not discount it as simply being nothing. You may be preventing someone else from becoming a victim.