According to Statistics Canada, burglaries increase during the holiday season. How can you reduce the risk of becoming a victim of home theft?
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One of the increasing crimes is the theft of packages that have been left in front of the apartment door.
These crimes, sometimes caught on surveillance cameras, are carried out in just a few seconds.
In an interview on LCN, former Quebec City Police Service (SPVQ) investigator Roger Ferland urged caution by sharing his advice on how to avoid home burglaries.
“Thieves often act out of opportunity and convenience,” he recalls.
Here are his four tips for preventing crime around your home.
1. Leave some lights on
Whether indoor or outdoor lighting, Mr. Ferland reminds us that thieves like to be discreet.
“Thieves really like to work in secret. So leave your house as if it were still inhabited for a while […] if we can make it less easy for them [c’est ce qu’il faut faire]”, he says.
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2. Notify your neighbors when you are not home
Informing your neighbors in the event of a home delivery can help prevent packages from being left outside for long or short periods of time in plain sight of thieves.
“We must not lose sight of the best security that can be afforded at the community level,” says Mr. Ferland.
3. Stay discreet on social media
Providing a travel or stay plan to thousands of people means revealing too many details to potentially malicious people.
“Guys, it's easy for you to check […] Often we provide too much information,” he says, adding that the advice also applies to Christmas parties.
4. Don’t just rely on security cameras
Although they provide a sense of security, these products have technical aspects that should not be ignored.
“We shouldn’t face this alone. If the system is triggered, someone needs to do the usual checks. You shouldn't think that the machine works alone. “It takes someone to come and take a look,” he concludes.
Photo AFP