NCJ Number
53159
Journal
Security Management Volume: 22 Issue: 11 Dated: (NOVEMBER 1978) Pages: 54-57
Date Published
1978
Length
8 pages
Annotation
PORTIONS OF THE MATERIAL USED IN A CRIME PREVENTION PROGRAM ARE PRESENTED, INDICATING HOW ACCESS TO RESIDENCES BY BURGLARS CAN BE DETERRED.
Abstract
'EYES' IS AN ACRONYM FOR EQUIP YOURSELF WITH EFFECTIVE SECURITY, A PROGRAM THAT DESCRIBES PRACTICAL CRIME PREVENTION TECHNIQUES, DERIVED FROM VIEWING A CRIME OPPORTUNITY AS A POTENTIAL OFFENDER MIGHT. WAYS TO PREVENT BURGLARS FROM GAINING ACCESS TO PRIVATE RESIDENCES ARE DISCUSSED IN THE 'EYES' MATERIAL PRESENTED IN THIS ARTICLE. IT IS REPORTED THAT THE AVERAGE BURGLAR IS NOT A SKILLED PROFESSIONAL, IS YOUNG, COMMITS DRUG-RELATED CRIMES, AND HAS LITTLE OR NO DIFFICULTY SUCCEEDING IN HIS EFFORTS BECAUSE OF INADEQUATE SECURITY PRECAUTIONS. EACH POSSIBLE ACCESS TO A PRIVATE RESIDENCE IS ANALYZED FOR CHARACTERISTICS ALLOWING EASY ENTRANCE, AND RECOMMENDATIONS ARE OFFERED FOR IMPROVING SECURITY AT EACH ACCESS. TYPES OF LOCKS THAT CAN BE EASILY BROKEN BY BURGLARS ARE IDENTIFIED, WITH THE TRADITIONAL SPRING LOCK BEING STRONGLY CONDEMNED. THE USE OF NONREMOVABLE HINGE PINS FOR DOORS THAT OPEN OUTWARDLY, THE USE OF A HIGH SECURITY STRIKE PLATE FOR THE DOOR BOLT, AND THE PLACEMENT OF SECURITY SURFACE SLIDING BOLTS AT THE TOP AND BOTTOM OF THE DOOR ON THE INSIDE ARE SUGGESTED AS WAYS OF PREVENTING FORCED ENTRANCE THROUGH DOORS. MEANS OF DETERRING ENTRANCE THOUGH VARIOUS TYPES OF WINDOWS ARE ALSO SUGGESTED. BURGLAR ALARMS ARE CONSIDERED COST PROHIBITIVE FOR MOST HOMEOWNERS AND ARE VIEWED AS LIMITED BY THEIR POWER SOURCE REQUIREMENTS. EXAMPLES OF MAKESHIFT BURGLAR ALARMS ARE DESCRIBED. A VARIETY OF CIRCUMSTANCES THAT AID THE BURGLAR IN ENTERING A HOME ARE DESCRIBED AND REMEDIES SUGGESTED. IT IS CONCLUDED THAT THE ABSENCE OF MEANS FOR EASY AND HIDDEN ACCESS TO A RESIDENCE IS THE BEST PREVENTION MEASURE. (RCB)