By Deputy Kim Brumble
Each year in the US there are more than five million homes burglaries.  Experts agree that the best way to deal with crime in the home is to take every step possible to prevent it from happening.  Law Enforcement and security experts will tell you from years of experience that criminals usually look for the easiest possible targets.  While no one can guarantee 100% that no one will break into your home, the following tips to make your home more difficult and less enticing to enter will reduce the likelihood significantly.
One of the best ways to ensure that a burglar does not target your home for a break in is to make sure your entire block is a highly secure area.  This involves working with neighbors so that everyone watches out for each other.  Meet people nearby, get to know their names, what cars they have and exchange phone numbers.
Consider starting an official Neighborhood Watch Group and working with local law enforcement agencies to watch over everyone in your neighborhood. If interested, contact Dillon County Sheriff’s Office (774-1432) or Dillon City PD (774-0051) for more information on this.
Once you know the people around you, you will be better prepared to notice strangers in your area.
Seeing someone you don’t know walking down your street is not at all unusual, but if the person seems to be lingering around or going back and forth frequently, don’t be afraid to call law enforcement to report the suspicious behavior.  If you wish to remain anonymous, just let 911 know!
Most importantly, never let anyone into your home that you do not know well.  Consider installing peepholes in exterior doors so that you can see who is at the door.
If you do not have one, always look out the window and see who is there. Criminals will sometimes portray themselves as a victim of a crime having just occurred or even utility workers, etc. to gain access into your home.  Do not be embarrassed or afraid to verify that the person actually works with the company etc. before allowing them in.  Don’t go out either if they try to get you to come out and talk with them.
While you are out talking with that person, another criminal may be inside your home seeing what’s there, unlocking a window for later, or taking your belongings.
Even a well watched neighborhood can be struck by crime.
It is up to you to make your home more difficult to break into.
Consider the following tips:
-Make sure to install exterior lights that are mounted out of reach, so burglars can’t easily unscrew the bulbs.  Consider buying motion-sensitive lights, which are now available at relatively low prices.
– Use a timer to activate lights inside your home when you are away.
– Trim trees and shrubs near doors and windows so burglars can’t hide in the shadows.
– Be sure to lock up ladders and tools which could be used to break into your home.
– Keep a television on or play a radio inside the house when not at home to give the impression that someone is home.
– Be sure valuables such as guns, electronics, etc. are not visible from the street.
– If you can afford it, install an alarm system that will alert neighbors of a burglar’s presence.
– Make sure all external doors are of solid core construction.  Doors should be a minimum of one and three quarter inches in thickness (alternatively metal clad doors can be used).  The door needs to be fitted with a strong, high quality keyed door lock and deadbolt and latches.  Remember also that a good solid door is of little security without a good solid door frame. (Make sure you keep a key nearby the door inside the residence to allow a quick escape from a fire).
– Many doors are fitted with glass panels that present a security risk.  Consider replacing the glass with solid wood, property affixed, or replace with laminated glass.
– Place additional locks on all windows and patio doors.
– Avoid announcing your vacation on Facebook/My Space, Etc.  It’s easier than you think to look up your address.
Remember nothing is a 100% guarantee. Display visible house numbers on your residence that are well illuminated.
This will help emergency personnel can find your home quickly when time matters.  This is also SC law that your residence be visibly numbered.  Any person who violates this can be guilty of a misdemeanor and shall be subject to a fine.
Criminals will find what they are looking for.  If a safe can be moved, they will take it with them.
The single best protection against theft loss is to mark every piece of property you own as yours.
Deterrent value is inherent in marking, and can be increased by posting warnings that property on your premises is marked.
Record serial numbers and other identifiers on all firearms, electronics, etc. to help ensure that you can positively identify your property if it is taken and subsequently recovered, or that you can prove ownership if there is some question.
You should keep an inventory of your personal property in a safe place (definitely not in or with the property) so that in the event of theft or other loss, you have the information need to make a police report and/or an insurance claim.