Seniors can counteract
crime with foresight

CRIMINALS OFTEN
seniors as’ easy targets, but many
crimes against’ seniors can be
prevented with a little foresight
and care.

These crimes range from scams
like the phony bank examiner to
robbery and assault.

Seniors are particularly vulner-
able to: ehome improvement
scums, © offers to repair things
that do not necessarily require
repairing * door-to-door sales ©
retirement estates * chain referral
schemes.

Here are a few suggestions a
police official makes that can help
prevent these crimes:
¢ Avoid rushing into something
involving your moncy or property.
*Be wary of some-
thing-for-nothing or get-rich-quick
schemes.
® Never sign a contract until you
and your lawyer, banker or
another expert has thoroughly
read it.
© Never turn over large sums of
cash to anyone — especially a

regard

stranger — no matter how pro-
mising the deal looks.

¢Do not hesitate to check the
credentials of a salesman or public
official, including a police officer.
* Report all suspicious offers to
the police immediately before the
possible swindler leaves iown in
search of other victims.

* Arrange for incoming cheques
to be sent directly to your bank.

“Home security is another ma-
jor concern. We encourage seniors
to install good locks and take
other measures to ensure the safe-
ty of their home,"* said a police
official.

Given time and opportunity a
thief can break into almost any
home, said Andy CGyorffy, vice-
president of marketing of Win-
nepeg-based Ramtron Pre-Entry
Alarm Systems inc.

Before considering investing in
an alarm system,which is the only
really effective means of protec-
ting the home and family, some
basic precautions should be taken:
* Locks that have the key hole in

North Vancouver RCIMP
1990/91 crime comparison

Break and enter to businesses:

210
233

1990 —
1991 —

Break and enter to residences:

584
566

1990 —
1991 —

Theft of motor vehicles:

1990 — 231k
1991 — 360 L-

UP 10.9%

UP 55.8%

Theft from motor vehicle — under $1,000:

i990 — 2

1991 — 157

UP 18.9%

Theft from moior vehicle — over $1,000:

1990 — 951
1991 — 1,177

UP 23.8%

Jotal break and enters and thefts:

1990 — 2,108
1991 — 2,493

UP 18.3%

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the knob are not reliable. They
can be easily forced from the out-
side.
* install one-inch
on all exterior doors. Caution
should be used when installing
double cylinder locks on emergen-
cy eniis.
© Padlocks should be of good
quality with heel-and-toe locking.
© If keys are lost, locks should be
changed.
* Doors should be mounted so
that hingebolts are not exposed to
the outside.

@ Chain locks are poor security.
Install a door eye-viewer instead.

Sliding glass doors or windows
can be lifted out of their tracks.
Install self-tapping screws in the
upper track that allow the door or
window to slide into place.

A square-edged length of wood

deadbolt locks

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Sunday, September 29, 1991 - North Shore News - 25

placed in the bottom track will
resist lateral forcing.

Basement windows can be rein-
forced with a bar.

Most windows can be pinned
for security purposes. Drill a small
hole on a slight: downward slant
through the inside window frame
and half way into the outside
frame. A nail or pin can then be
placed in the hole to secure the
window.

Secure other openings into your
home such as milk-chutes and air
conditioners.

Garages are favorite targets for

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burglars. A garage door should be
locked at all times, whether the
homeowner is in the house or
away.

“No matter how good your
window locks are,"’ said Gyorffy,
“never forget that glass is not dif-
ficult to break.””

A properly-trained, licensed and
bonded security consultant can
give invaluable advice on how to
best secure your home.

About 30% of all break-ins are
through doors. The balance of
break-ins are cither through a
basement or main floor window.

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