Several dozen residents hear advice on locks, alarm systems and other anti-crime strategies in Refuse to be a Victim lecture by the Sheriff’s Office

Capt, Charles Borchers addresses about 25 parish residents who attended the lecture called Refuse to be a Victim, which discussed crime prevention strategies,

Iris Sherlock of Chalmette, who attended the lecture, looks at a variety of a peephole which Borchers passed around, saying it was good for residential doors to see who is outside.

Capt, Charles Borchers demonstrates a lock to the audience, which he said was good for residences.

Ever think about what to do if someone comes to your door saying they have a package to be signed for – but there isn’t a delivery truck outside?

Or if a stranger at your door asks to use a phone?

Those were the things Capt. Charles Borchers discussed with 25 parish residents Wednesday night, Dec. 10, in a lecture called Refuse to be a Victim. He also gave advice on locks, alarm systems and all manner of crime prevention strategies for your home, business and when you are out of parish on vacation or for business.

First, if there is no delivery truck in sight, it is a good idea to tell a person asking for a signature for a package delivery to put their clip board down outside your door and go across the street, Borchers said. Then you take the clip board inside to sign it and put it back outside for them to pick up, he said.

It would be the only cautious thing to do, he said, because opening your door to a stranger is taking a risk.

Also, Borchers said, if a stranger wants to use the phone, “Tell them you will call someone for them from inside your home,’’ rather than letting them inside if there is no obvious accident that has just taken place outside.

Borchers, head of Community Relations and long-time crime prevention director for the Sheriff’s Office, can be reached at (504) 278-7628 if you want to start a Neighborhood Watch group in your area.

Borchers, assisted by Dep. Sheriff Eric Eilers, demonstrated what type locks, lighting timers and discussed alarm systems residents and business owners should use as well as going over various situations.’’

Sheriff James Pohlmann has made the Refuse to be a Victim course available for parish residents since early 2011, with the lecture given one of more times per year. Thousands of people have taken the course by law enforcement agencies throughout the country.

Borchers stresses 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 crime prevention strategies, he said.

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

Bushes and plants in front of windows are good, Borchers said, as well as cheap alarm peel and stick devices for back and side windows, such as in the kitchen and laundry rooms, which statistics show are likely places burglars try to break in.

Motion detectors, especially ones that all give off a noise, lights outside and dogs are all things that help scare away someone who might considering burglarizing a home, he said.

“What are the things burglars don’t like,’’ he asked. “They don’t like noise, lights or to be slowed down.’’ It is a good idea to stand outside your house and look closely at things burglars may think about when sizing up a place to strike.