Warm summer evenings are primetime for the criminal element
Memorial Day in Michigan marks the beginning of the summer season in the Great Lakes State. After the winter we had, it is nice to see the sun and move about unencumbered by winter outerwear.
Time to get out and enjoy the warm weather, but there are some seasonal precautions you should take in order to keep yourself and your property safe, especially during summer evenings.
Weather has a tremendous effect on crime. In bad weather, criminals (who are basically lazy) do not like to go out any more than we law-abiding citizens do. Unless they have a drug habit to support, criminals will stay inside when the weather outside is bad.
The city will heat up and many without air conditioning will spend sweat soaked nights trying to keep cool. Windows, curtains, drapes and shades will be opened and the separation between relative safety and the cruel world will only be a flimsy screen. The actions of those who prowl, peep and hunt will be masked by noisy box fans and air conditioners. A whole world of valuables and victims will be on display for those criminally inclined.
Nighttime is the right time for criminals in the summer because shadows and darkness will hide their actions. The milder temperatures in the evening are more attractive to criminals who as previously mentioned avoid at all costs the sweat incumbent upon those who must labor to earn a living.
Ground floor and semi-subterranean apartments are at greatest risk during the summer. Low balconies or balconies close enough for someone to travel from balcony to balcony are also at risk. Sliding door walls and windows left open to coax a breeze inside are favorite entry points for home invaders.
Unfortunately to minimize the possibility of home invasion, one’s comfort will suffer if no air conditioning is available. At the risk of blocking some precious breeze, these doors and windows should be opened only far enough to allow the breeze and not a human inside. Removable pins or nails can be placed in holes drilled in door and window tracks to prevent the opening from becoming large enough for an intruder to enter. This will allow some cool air in while keeping the intruder out.
It is also a good idea to place knickknack items near the partially opened window. If an intruder reaches inside the falling knickknacks will hopefully make enough noise to warn the potential victim so they can scream, bolt or call 9-1-1.
Since windows must be closed so far anyway, drapes, curtains and shades should also be lowered to at least the top of the opening used for ventilation. Remember however that perverts and window peepers can still peer inside whatever opening is left un-shaded.
To combat these creeps, remember the person in the darker environment has a tactical advantage and can see better than the person in the lighter environment. For this reason consider installing motion activated lights around your home’s perimeter.
When not needed, keep your interior lamps and lights low so you can see outside. Keep shrubs and bushes outside your home trimmed low enough that a prowler will not have an area to hide in.
Valuables should be kept out of sight and more importantly far enough away from open doors and windows that the thief cannot slit the screen and reach in (sometimes with a hook or grabber) to collect valuables. Purses are especially vulnerable to this sort of “reach in” home invasion.
Watch out for your neighbors. Prowling is legally defined as entering onto someone else property during the hours of darkness. Window peeping involves entering onto another’s property to peer into windows.
Both of these are crimes that the police can immediately arrest someone for if they observe the act. Therefore if you see a stranger in your neighbor’s back yard or peering into their windows, call 9-1-1 immediately.
Remember if you see a suspicious person in your neighbor’s yard there is a good chance that same prowler, peeper or predator just came from your yard. CALL 9-1-1 IMMEDIATELY!
Lock it up, don’t leave it unattended, be aware and watch out for your neighbors.
Rich Kinsey is a retired Ann Arbor police detective sergeant who now blogs about crime and safety for AnnArbor.com.
Comments
Grimey
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 7:56 a.m.
Really?? Well, according to A2dotcom there was no crime in Ypsi/Arbor/Saline/Milan June 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th... Jus' Sayin'.
Terry
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 4:49 p.m.
With all this mass transit talk and the idea that there could be a commuter rail from Detroit to the Ann Arbor area raises my fear level that this could become an even larger problem. As easy and convienent as it may be for us to get downtown, it is just as easy for a would be criminal to get out here. Good article although perhaps a little overdramatic.
Maxwell
Fri, Jun 10, 2011 : 1:39 a.m.
Your ethnocentrism is showing...
Terry
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 6:21 p.m.
Overdramatic? I hope so, but I doubt it.
pvitaly
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 5:38 p.m.
And your fear isn't over dramatic at all...
fremdfirma
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 4:48 p.m.
I concur on the somewhat sensationalist language, entertaining perhaps, but not so informative. As contract security for a local apartment complex, regarding the bicyclist comment - it's worth asking the management of your complex if they have after hours security and a contact number for them, as here a few folks will ride a few laps after dark to "beat the heat" as it's been really hot out, and they know I am out there keeping an eye on them, yet you also do have the possibility of someone prowling as well, and contract security will usually know the difference between a resident and prowler and respond accordingly. Two additional suggestions, the first regarding windows - and that is a battery powered vibration alarm, many of which are very inexpensive (Mace offers one for about $10) and while no pancea, effective enough at discouraging a would-be burglar, and second, due to the rising prices of fuel, it's well worth considering the investment of $8-12 in a locking gas cap, being that right now that is the same price as a mere 2-3 gallons of fuel, and due to an increase in motor fuel theft recently, will help ensure your overpriced fuel remains in your vehicle.
Major
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 3:35 p.m.
Alright AA.com, your censorship is getting a bit annoying to say the least! I mean really now, deleting my comment because it contained, asterisk, dollar sign, star and exclamation point instead of a curse word...really?!?!?! OK I'll play your "pure as the driven snow" game...jeez!! Anyway, let me try again....(wonder if "bleep" is PC enough for you?) This is one of the reasons I love my dog, who is a 125# early warning system, complete with night vision, ears that are like radar, and can smell the fear of a criminal a block away! Not a all worried about getting sued by a criminal, trespassing on private property, in the commission of a crime...not at all! Plus, Major always gets his crook, and if you look at my profile pic, you see what they see right before karma takes a bite outta crime!
pvitaly
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 3:17 p.m.
You can also invest in an over protective, territorial, German shepherd dog. Keep those windows open all you want. 110 Lbs of muscle barking louder than a Korn concert is pretty intimidating... But, then again, the burglar would probably sue the home owner for being bitten by the dog and then your lovely pooch will be put down. At least you'll have the fame from being the main story on AA.com because your dog wasn't in a crate.
Jake C
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 2:31 p.m.
While there is some good reasonable advice in this Opinion piece, the overly-dramatic language really plays up fears that our neighborhoods are full of creeps and criminals and evildoers ready to rape you or rob your house at a moments' notice. It's good to be wary of the dangers in your neighborhood, but our citizens don't need to be cowering in fear every night, cradling a gun or a phone pre-dialed to "911" that some crazy drug-fueled criminals are just itching to kill them at the drop of a hat... "[...]shades will be opened and the separation between relative safety and the cruel world will only be a flimsy screen. " You could have a good future in writing crime fiction books, Rich!
loves_fall
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 2:20 p.m.
The holes drilled into my windows let about 2 inches of air in, so either I'm going to have to open them and be burgled or keep them closed and be dead of heatstroke. -.-
Maxwell
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 2:15 p.m.
What a crock of fear mongering!
Ron Granger
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 1:03 p.m.
Chris 8, you should follow your instincts when deciding whether to report behavior you think is suspicious. That is how a lot of crime gets stopped. The police will decide whether they need to respond. If there had been a burglary, your report of a suspicious individual might have been key to solving the case and targeting the right suspects.
Ron Granger
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 12:58 p.m.
Criminal element? In Ann Arbor? Say it ain't so! Is there anything we can do to keep that criminal vessel, Jim Tressel, out of our town? I thought that problem was solved!
Chris 8 - YPSI PRIDE
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 12:50 p.m.
Is it illegal for someone riding a bicycle through the parking lot of an apartment complex (during daylight or night time hours) looking up in to windows? I observed this happening about two weeks ago, and was sure this person was looking for a target. I wanted to call the Sheriff's Department but was unsure and didn't want to feel like an idiot if I called the Sheriffs for something stupid or perfectly legal to do. This situation looked very suspicous to me.
smokeblwr
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 12:25 p.m.
When it gets hot out I like to turn the lights on at night, open the drapes, and walk around in the buff. That deters any Prowlers, Perverts, or Peeping Toms.
Bertha Venation
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 3:53 p.m.
Gee... Me TOO! If people look in my windows, what they see is what they get.... (though after seeing it, not many ask for it)....
cinnabar7071
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 12:02 p.m.
I also perfer to clean my guns in the evening when it cooler, so I think this may equal out in the long run.
Linda Peck
Thu, Jun 9, 2011 : 10:28 a.m.
Great advice! Thanks!