Mount Vernon District Police Offer Tips on Home Security, Crime Prevention

During Tuesday evening's Citizen Advisory Committee meeting at the Mount Vernon District Police Station, MPO Greg Kottemann gave the residents information about home security.

Kottemann said burglaries are crimes that all districts and residents are trying to prevent in the county and all police districts deal with them regularly.

"It is one of the hardest crimes to solve because normally no one is home at the time," he said.

During his presentation, Kottemann also informed the residents of the four Ds of crime prevention: deter, detect, delay and deny.

The crime prevention officer said it's important to take steps to deter criminals from targeting your communities. For example, Kottemann said it's helpful to organize a neighborhood watch group and/or post neighborhood watch signs to possibly warn off criminals from the area.

FCPD also suggests residents make sure streetlights in their neighborhoods are working and invest in lighting around their property. Criminals look to commit crimes while also being concealed. If a property is well lit, it's possible for neighbors to witness and report suspicious activity. Kottemann said it's also important to delay possible criminals.

"Create tension for criminals. Don't provide places for them to hide. Use home security," he said.

Lastly, residents are encouraged to give criminals a reason to move on, or deny the criminals the opportunity by raising the risk factor so high they decide not to target your community.

Other crime prevention suggestions include key control — or knowing where your keys are and who has a copy — locking up your home and your car all the time, and creating good security habits. Kottemann said crime prevention is everyone's business and it improves the quality of life in your community.

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