BASSETERRE, St. Kitts – OVER the past week, members of the Royal St. Christopher and Nevis Police Force have been busy responding to reports of break-ins that took place mainly in the Basseterre and surrounding areas.
A recent police communiqué explains that approximately five break-ins were reported and according to the Press and Public Relations Officer, Inspector Cromwell Henry, they are all under investigation.
On Sunday last, at about 20 minutes to midnight after securing his home, a resident of College Street went to bed and when he awoke at 3:30 the following morning, he observed that it was broken into. His HP laptop and a Nokia cellular telephone were stolen.
The next reported incident occurred sometime between August 11 and August 12. Police explained that a female resident of Bladen Housing “secured her home and went out. Upon her return the next day she discovered the home broken into. Investigations revealed the house is a two-storey building and that an intruder entered the house by pushing up the bottom pane of a glass window and climbed through. Having entered, the intruder stole a sum of money and a quantity of jewellery.”
On Wednesday, August 13, employees of Trafalgar Travels located at Horsford’s Complex arrived for work to meet their office vandalised and a Dell desktop stolen.
Police also reported that an 84-year-old man made a daring attempt to confront an individual who broke into his home and was injured in the process. The incident, as explained by police, took place at approximately 2:30 a.m. on August 13, 2009 in the Shadwell area.
“Investigations revealed that…Alphonso Hamilton, who resides alone, was in his bedroom when an unknown male entered the house through a front door which was closed but unlocked. Having heard the noise, he confronted the intruder in the front room and a struggle ensued. Mr. Hamilton sustained wounds to his forehead and ear during the attack and was taken to the JNF Hospital, where he was treated and detained.”
Thieves turned their attention to the Sandy Point Primary School Library, where, sometime before 10:30 a.m. on August 13, they broke in a stole three Dell computers, one printer, one DVD player, one flat screen television, a cable box and video cassettes. Police explained that a torch was used to “cut the bars on the window to gain entry”.
Inspector Henry told SKNVIbes that there are currently no suspects and the police have no evidence to suggest that the incidents are related.
According to the press release, break-ins constitute the “greatest crime threat to residents in the Federation”. Therefore, the police force has issued a number of simple precautionary measures which can be taken to decrease the likelihood of falling prey to burglars.
There are:
Harden the Target
• Burglars will usually bypass a house if it requires too much effort or more skills or tools than they possess. Most break-ins are through front or back doors.
Sliding Glass Doors
• This type of door is usually secured by latches only.
• They are vulnerable to attack.
• Security can be increased by inserting a wooden dowel or stick into the door track to prevent movement.
• There are also metal track blockers/locks available.
Windows
• Windows are left unlocked at a much higher rate than doors.
• An open window that is visible from the street may be the sole reason that a house is targeted. An open window with only a locked window screen is particularly inviting to thieves. Access is quick, easy and silent.
• Windows have latches, not locks; they should have secondary locking devices.
• Wooden sticks/dowels work well with horizontal sliding windows.
• For vertical windows, through the frame pins work well.
• For ventilation, leave no more than a 4 – 6 inch window opening.
• Make sure that opening is not large enough to allow someone to reach through to unlock the door or remove window lock.
Be A Good Neighbor
• Get to know your neighbors.
• Agree to watch each other’s home.
Lighting
• Interior lighting is necessary to show signs of activity inside.
• Use timers (lights, radios and televisions). Make the home appear occupied.
• Exterior lighting is very important.
• Lights in front of the home should be on a timer.
• Use timers or motion sensors for other exterior lighting, especially at the rear of the house.
Alarm Systems
• Increase the potential of burglar being caught.
• Burglars will usually bypass a home that they believe has a burglar alarm.
• An audible horn or siren must be part of the system.
• Alarm systems be professionally installed and maintained.
• Alarm systems should reset within three minutes so as not to disturb the neighborhood.
• Leave a key to your house and alarm system with a trusted neighbor who is usually there when you are not home.
• Alarm systems can also monitor fire sensors and panic buttons.
Mark your property
• Engrave your driver’s license number or name on televisions, stereos, computers and small electronic appliances.
• Photograph your valuables, especially jewelry and electronics.
• Make a list of make, model, serial numbers and value of important items.
What if you see something or someone acting suspicious?
• If you see anyone acting suspicious around your house or a neighbor’s house, call 911 immediately.
• If your house is broken into, call police immediately. Don’t touch anything that the criminal may have touched.
• Wait outside for police to arrive.
• Write down plate numbers of suspicious vehicles.
Not all break-ins will be stopped, regardless of the precautions that you take. Talk to your insurance agent to make sure that your valuables will be covered in the event of a theft.
