"LIGHT IT UP"

In the previous article I discussed the concept of Hardening Your Target. That is, perceiving yourself as a target in order to reduce the chances of being the victim of a crime. One of the most basic crime prevention tools is SECURITY LIGHTING. Put yourself in the shoes of a would be criminal that is looking for an opportunity to commit a property crime against you. That suspect is going to want to commit the act without being detected. Therefore the suspect is most likely to target an area or neighborhood that is poorly lit by security lighting. Unfortunately, there are several to choose from.

A well lit neighborhood is an excellent deterrent to nighttime criminal activity. There are several new subdivisions in Webster that are a good example of this. Many home builders are using the CPTED concept, which stands for Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design. In these subdivisions every home has a decorative driveway light that is on when it's dark. These lights light up the street area and the front of every home. It would be very hard for a suspect to move about these neighborhoods without being illuminated by these lights. Therefore they are unattractive neighborhoods for nighttime criminal activity. The good news is that installing and utilizing security lighting is relatively inexpensive. The simple act of leaving your porch light on at night may be enough to deter a crime against your home. If you are concerned about the cost of the electricity, try using a new fluorescent light bulb which uses a fraction of the electricity and can last up to ten times longer than incandescent bulbs. You can also install motion lights, or demand lighting, which will only come on when motion is detected in the area. It is always best to have the front and rear of your property covered by some type of lighting source for the best protection. Whichever lighting source you choose, the fact that you use something will be beneficial. Check with your local electrician, lighting contractor or home improvement store for more advice on your particular home and yard setup.

Remember, security lighting is an easy, basic way to HARDEN YOUR TARGET. Please remember to always immediately report any suspicious activity to the Webster Police Department by calling 911.

For more information call the Webster Police Community Services Unit at 872-1216 ext. 233

Lock It Up