Crime Prevention
Crime is a word that invokes both fear and acceptance in society. Statistically your chances of becoming a victim of crime in any given year are actually pretty low. I’m sure this is a great comfort to anyone who has been victimized or knows someone who has been. On the surface many crimes seem random and senseless, but when we take a look at the factors that make up a crime we see a pattern emerge. In order for a crime to occur there are three factors that must be present. They are; Motive, Opportunity and a Victim.
Each of these factors plays an important role in how and why crimes occur. Two of these factors are within your control to influence. Motive is what drives the criminal to commit the crime. Motives are as individual as the criminal and beyond your ability to effectively control. Some common themes are drugs, money, sex, violence, power, domination, etc. That doesn’t mean you shouldn’t attempt to understand some of the social issues surrounding the psychology of crime. It just means that knowing your attacker is a crack addict with an addiction to feed is the last thing you are worrying about when he is stealing your purse at knife point. Read the rest of this entry »
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The Golden Rule of Crime Prevention
If there’s a golden rule of crime prevention, it’s this: Make yourself a difficult target!
It’s not necessary to have the most secure home in the country, just the most secure home on the block. Criminals who burglarize homes are looking for quick, easy scores, not challenges.
Unlike the sophisticated criminals who are often portrayed in the movies, most home invasions are crimes in which the items taken are small, portable, untraceable items like iPods, video game systems, jewelry, collectibles, and other items that are easily converted into cash.
Fortunately, by following the home security tips listed below, you can make your house unattractive to home burglars and send them looking elsewhere for an easier opportunity. Home security experts recommend taking the following practical, common sense steps to protect your family, your home and your belongings.
Tip #1 – Lock Doors and Windows When Nobody’s Home
It may seem obvious, but 30% of all home robberies are classified as “unlawful entries,” which means that the thieves enter the house through an unlocked door or window and don’t have to use force in order to break-in.
Make it a habit to secure all doors and windows every time you leave the house. Even leaving home for a few minutes to go to the store provides enough time for thieves to break in and walk out with your belongings.
Tip #2 – Alert Neighbors When Going On Vacation
Multiple newspapers in the yards, a mailbox overflowing with mail, even the unanticipated advertising door-hanger that’s placed on your door can all serve as signals to criminals that your house is vacant. Arranging for someone to monitor these services and pick Read the rest of this entry »
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Your Mindset As the Criminal’s Ally – Crime Prevention Tips to Stop the Traitor Within
Crime can happen to anyone, right? Not necessarily. While we agree with criminology experts when they say that nobody is exempt from becoming a victim of crime, it is also true that your mindset can actually increase or decrease your chances of actually becoming the target of someone’s evil intentions, a conclusion derived from psychological models that deal with the information processing of the mind.
No, we’re not talking about wishful thinking here. We don’t believe that constantly repeating to yourself: “I am safe, nothing will ever happen to me or my family” will actually have any significant effect.
However, cognitive-behavioral psychologists such as Dr. Albert Ellis and Dr. Aaron Beck have demonstrated in numerous ways that thoughts can actually determine what your behaviors and emotions will be in any given situation. That would explain why everybody reacts differently to the same stimulus: thoughts have the power to make all the difference.
If we extend those conclusions to the field of crime prevention, the logical implication would be that -although your chances of becoming a crime victim cannot be completely eliminated- your repertoire of thoughts can actually put you in a higher or lower risk position in relation to crime. Yes, your mind can act as an internal traitor. And because of that, the first and most basic strategy in any self defense plan should be creating low-risk, crime-smart thoughts…an advice that you and your loved ones should follow in order to stay safe. Read the rest of this entry »
Tags: crime prevention, violence prevention