CHARLESTON AIR FORCE BASE, S.C. –
Here are a few helpful tips provided by the 437th Security Forces Squadron Security Forces Crime Prevention Program to help reduce the chances of becoming a victim of property theft during this summer.
Base housing:
· Always use all the locks available on both your home and your garage. Lock up every time you go out, even if it is only for a few minutes. Almost 50 percent of burglars enter homes or property through unlocked doors or windows.
· Never hide keys outside your home, such as under a bush or in a flowerpot. Burglars know where to find "secret" hiding places and it is better to leave a key with a trusted neighbor or with friends.
· Secure sliding glass doors with security bars or locks, or simply put a wooden dowel or broom handle in the door track. Burglars look for sliding glass doors because they are the easiest to open.
· If you are out during the day or on vacation, use an automatic timer to turn on lights and a radio at different times of the day. It is an easy way to disguise the fact that you are not home.
· Have a trusted neighbor or friend pick up your mail and newspaper every day while you are on vacation or away from the house for an extended amount of time.
At the Fitness and Sports Center:
· Before using a locker, make sure the locker door is functioning properly.
· Check to see that the locking mechanism is latching properly. If the locker is equipped with latches at the top and bottom, make sure they both engage properly.
· Make it a point to always secure valuables prior to any type of activities.
· Never leave a locker open or unattended. Lock up every time you are away from your locker, even if it is only for a few minutes.
· If the locker is locked with a combination lock, do not leave the number where it can be easily found.
· Resist bringing cash or valuables inside or to the gym.
Operating and parking your vehicle:
· Make sure the vehicle is locked at all times, even when in use. The majority of stolen vehicles are left unlocked and many times the keys are left inside the vehicle or even in the ignition.
· Whether a vehicle is left for a moment or for several hours, always double check to see that all doors and windows are secure.
· When away from the vehicle lock parcels and other valuables in the trunk; do not tempt thieves by leaving packages, cameras or purses on the seat. If the vehicle does not have a trunk, make sure parcels are not in public sight.
· Park in well-lit, busy areas. This is important for personal safety as well as for the protection of the vehicle.
· Purchase some type of protection device for the vehicle. Such devices include alarms, mechanical or electrical kill switches, steering wheel locking devices, etc. They can be installed by auto dealers, auto service shops, or in some cases by the vehicle owner.
· Carefully consider where and when to purchase gas. Choose a safe, familiar area during daylight hours whenever possible and a well-lit station during hours of darkness.
The crime prevention program is a base-wide initiative that enlists the involvement of Charleston's Airmen, family members and citizens in local community to help fight crime. Remember, report any suspicious behavior or activities to security forces at 963-3600 or by calling 911 from an on-base phone.