St. Bernard residents can register at 278-7628 or 278-7799 for the free Refuse to be a Victim lecture on Dec. 3 at 6:30 p.m. in the Sheriff’s Training Center at 2118 Jackson Blvd., directly behind the Courthouse

Sheriff James Pohlmann said a basic thing residents should do is go out to their sidewalk and take a hard look at their home or business the way a burglar would who was sizing it up for ways to break in. Then, he said, go call and register for the free Refuse to be a Victim lecture being offered by the Sheriff’s Office on Dec. 3 to learn how to fix problems.

In the one-night course, St. Bernard Parish residents will get solid, expert advice on crime prevention measures for your home and business, including locks, timers and alarm systems to use.

Call Capt. Charles Borchers at (504) 278-7628 or Dep. Sheriff Eric Eilers at 278-7799 to register. Borchers is head of Community Relations and long-time crime prevention director for the Sheriff’s Office and he and Eilers conduct the course.

The lecture is held in the Sheriff’s Office Training Center at 2118 Jackson Blvd. in Chalmette. The center is on the second-floor in the building that also houses the Assessor’s Office and is directly behind the east side of the Parish Courthouse.

“You will hear safety tips for avoiding becoming crime victims at home or away,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. “Capt. Borchers is an expert on what type locks, lighting timers and alarm systems residents and business owners should use and he will demonstrate them, as well as go over numerous tips for various situations.’’

More than 100 residents have taken the Refuse to be a Victim class since Sheriff Pohlmann began offering it to the public in 2011.

The sheriff said that besides the expert advice the program also goes over “common sense ideas’’ that are important to be emphasized.

Borchers stresses in the course that, “You have to have a mental plan of action’’ at home or when traveling in order to be alert for potential criminals. Seminar topics include safety at home, as well as phone, technology, travel and personal security.

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.

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

Borchers 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 – but there wasn’t a delivery truck outside?

Or what if a stranger comes to your door and asks to use a phone? Or what’s the best ways to stay safe in other locations while visiting?

For the answer to these and other questions, Borchers said invites residents to come hear what he and Eilers have
to say.

Refuse To Be A Victim is nationally recognized. It was developed in 1993 in response to requests from women nationwide for crime prevention seminars and became co ed in 1997. Thousands of men and women have benefited from the program’ message, which has been endorsed by members of the law enforcement community nationwide.

Borchers is also available at (504) 278-7628 for anyone interested in forming a Neighborhood Watch group in their area or to ask about other free programs offered by the Sheriff’s Office.