St. Bernard residents learned crime prevention tips in sheriff’s free class called “Refuse to be a Victim’

Capt. Charles Borchers speaks to a class of 25 parish residents taking the Refuse to be a Victim lecture series Dec. 12.

Mary Lou Lang and Marlene Stierwald look at a device Capt. Borchers demonstrated in the class.

With Christmas coming, everyone wants to hang on to those nice gifts your family may get for the house, like big screen TVs, computers and other expensive things.
So don’t advertise you have them by putting the empty boxes out at the curb for garbage pick-up, where everyone including burglars can see them.

Capt. Charles Borchers, director of community relations for the Sheriff’s Office, recommends residents cut up boxes, place them inside plastic bags and put the whole thing in the mini-dumpster each resident has.

That tip, which costs nothing to do, is the type of common sense crime prevention advice Borchers shared with 25 parish residents who attended the sheriff’s free lecture program called “Refuse to be a Victim,’’ held Dec. 12 at the Sheriff’s Office in Chalmette.

Sheriff James Pohlmann began the free program nearly two years ago and the lecture has been heard by dozens of parish residents.

“Capt. Charles Borchers is an expert on crime prevention and residents should contact him to get involved in free programs he heads,’’ Sheriff Pohlmann said. Borchers can be reached at (504) 278-7628 to sign up for any class he gives, including Refuse to be a Victim, the Citizens Police Academy or to organize a Neighborhood Watch group in your area, the sheriff said.

Most of Borchers’ ideas involve advice in areas including what types of locks are the best for protecting homes and businesses – 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.

He also suggests video surveillance cameras for those who can afford them, light-timers, alarm systems and motion lights as anti-crime strategies at home and for businesses.

“You do anything you can to stop the bad guys,’’ Borchers told class participants. “It’s us against them. And much of what we can do is inexpensive.’

And he pointed out, “There’s three things criminals really don’t like and will avoid: Noise, lights or to be slowed down. If you have those they will move on to someplace else.’’

In a front door at home, Borchers said, a non-costly device is a peep hole with a wide angle viewer/

And what could be less expensive than making anyone buy an old dogwalking in your neighborhood think you have a large dog. You simply buy a large water bowl for a dog, keep it half-full and occasionally wash it out so algae doesn’t grow.

Place it at the back door or somewhere near your front door or driveway and it gives the impression a large canine is roving about, Borchers said.

And you don’t even have to own a dog.

A woman living alone can use a similar trick by getting some second-hand men’s workboots and placing them at the rear door or somewhere out front to make it look like a man lives there also.

Borchers cautioned to never leave garage openers in a vehicle parked in a driveway because once a burglar gets into a garage they have privacy and easy access to get into the home.

He also emphasized to the audience, “You have to have a mental plan of action’’ at home or when traveling to be on alert for potential criminals.

As an example he asked audience members what they would do if they are alone at home and someone came to the door saying they had a package for them to sign for but their delivery truck wasn’t visible nearby. Should they open the door?

The best recommendation would be to ask the person to leave the papers to be signed at their door and go across the street while the resident opened the door to sign it, Borchers said.

And, if a stranger came to your door, he said, and told you they needed to use a phone because there had been an accident the smart answer would be to tell them you will dial the number for them without them coming inside.

When out, easily purchased pepper spray with a clip is available so that it can be kept on a safety belt in a vehicle or inside a purse, Borchers said. Even a loud whistle on a key chain is a good idea for people to have for personal protection. The panic button on a vehicle key chain also makes a good alarm to sound if someone is threatening you.

He pointed out that when people are in their home they could be vulnerable because they are comfortable in their surroundings and could let down their guard, such as forgetting to lock doors or windows because they feel safe. But he said most sex crimes committed on women happen in their home and such places as a college dorm, sometimes because their guard is relaxed there.

If someone wants to carry a gun in their vehicle it’s legal as an extension of your residence, Borchers said, but to carry it outside on your person a permit is required, as well as weapons safety training by a certified instructor.

When parking a vehicle at a shopping center don’t settle for the first parking spot. If at night, find one with the best lighting available and look around for suspicious people before getting out or going back to the vehicle, he said.

If going on a trip out of town on business or vacation, never leave a message on your phone telling people you will be away and don’t forget to stop delivery of newspapers and arrange to have a neighbor or friend pick up mail if possible. Keep your second vehicle in the driveway or ask a neighbor you trust to park their car in your driveway to give the impression someone is home.

While in another state or city be extra cautious in noticing your immediate environment before parking and be careful about carrying suit cases and cameras that mark you as a tourist. Also, be careful about others lurking in hotels and in the areas of motels you stay at.

When driving around in a rental vehicle toss a cap in the back window from one of the area’s sports teams so you look like a local and people may not notice it is a rental vehicle, Borchers said.

“Just use common sense.’’