St. Bernard residents can register for the sheriff’s free “Refuse to be a Victim’’ class being held at 6:30 p.m. on Dec. 12 by calling (504) 278-7628

Want to learn what sort of locks, light-timers and alarm systems offer the best protection for a home or business and also hear specific crime prevention tips from an expert?

Sheriff James Pohlmann said St. Bernard Parish residents can do so by calling (504) 278-7628 to register for the free class called “Refuse to be a Victim,’’ being held at 6:30p.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 12 in the 2nd-floor training room at a sheriff’s building at 2118 Jackson Blvd. in Chalmette. The building is immediately behind the old Courthouse now closed for renovation.

Dozens of residents have taken the class since Sheriff Pohlmann began offering it to the public in early 2011.

It will be conducted again by Capt. Charles Borchers, community relations director for the Sheriff’s Office.

“You will hear safety tips for avoiding becoming crime victims at home or away,’’ Pohlmann said. “Capt. Borchers is an expert on subjects such as what type locks and timers residents and business owners should use and he will demonstrate them, as well as going over numerous ideas for your safety.’’

Pohlmann said the tips “are mostly common sense ideas’’ that some people may already carry out but are important to be emphasized.

Borchers emphasizes in the course that “You have to have a mental plan of action’’ at home or when traveling to be on alert for potential criminals.

Use strong locks and peep holes on home doors, Borchers said. Light-timers, alarm systems, video surveillance systems and motion lights are all good anti-crime strategies at home.

He recommends double cylinder deadbolt locks with large screws put an inch into a large, solid frame so a door can’t be easily kicked open.

Here’s a simple and cheap idea, Borchers said, that could persuade a burglar not to mess with your home: Put a big, dog’s water bowl at your back door or near the driveway at the front. Keep it half-full and occasionally wash it out so algae doesn’t grow.

And you don’t even have to own a dog. But it will give the impression a big canine is inside.

That’s one of the numerous tips Borchers says can be easily done by any resident as a precaution against crime.

Borchers can be reached at (504) 278-7828 to receive crime prevention tips, form a Neighborhood Watch group in an area or register for the next Sheriff’s Office free Citizens Police Academy classes.

He goes over various situations with participants, such as asking what they would do if they are home and someone came to the door saying they had a package for them to sign for. Should they open the door if a delivery truck wasn’t visible outside?

Or what to say if a stranger came to the door and said they needed to use a phone because there had been an accident?

Participants can learn the answer to these questions and numerous others in the course.