By David Armstrong

The July CAPS meeting was of particular interest to Lincoln Park residents as it featured insights from six convicted burglars who were present at the meeting.

Here is a summary of the key points discussed:

• Knowing your Neighbors is Perhaps the Best Deterrent to Burglary – Before a criminal commits a crime, they will "case" a neighborhood. They want to know who is around, and what patterns they have: when an owner is in a home (or apartment), when do they go to work; are there other family members around the home, and at what times; are there animals in the home? When neighbors know one another, we can begin to identify individuals who are not normally in a neighborhood. And, criminals prefer to commit a crime when there is a lower likelihood that they will be seen. So, knowing your neighbors, and being connected to the community can act as a deterrent to burglary and other criminal activity.
  
  
• Information Is Not Always Gathered by a Criminal – Watch for people who are not always in your neighborhood. (Five of the 6 panelists each held jobs when they committed their burglaries.) You, or your property, can be watched by individuals who do not commit the crime, and sometimes by individuals who are simply working temporarily in your neighborhood, or just passing through. Patterns around when you are home, or knowing that you are away, can be given to others who are looking to commit a burglary.
  
  
• Alarm Systems Help, but They are Not Perfect – Criminals will occasionally place false alarm calls to the Police when they are casing a neighborhood. Motion sensors inside a house are recommended. And, be sure to turn on your alarm.
  
  
• Be Aware of What You Communicate, and Where – A seemingly innocuous comment about an upcoming vacation – to a neighbor, or at the grocery store – can be overheard by others. While this may be wholly unintentional, it can signal your absence, which can create an opportunity for a burglar. Just a reminder to be aware of your surroundings.
  
  
• Points of Entry – Be sure to keep your garage doors closed … and to check to ensure that they are closed after the automatic garage door has stopped. In the summer months, alleys are used and garage doors can be a point of entry to the house (especially garages connected to the house), or provide access to unlocked cars. Back doors, and basement windows (even if they have air conditioning units) can be as well. Check to make sure that your doors are locked.
  
  
• Fences around a House can be a Thief's Best Friend – Fences are not a deterrent to a criminal. They all said that they can scale a fence very easily. Moreover, they can be used to hide. The Police recommended that if you have a fence with a locked gate, identify a Key Holder whom you trust that the Police can contact. The Police will generally not scale a wall if the owner is not in the house.
  
  
• If You Purchase a Flat Screen TV, Breakdown the Box – Flat Screen TVs are the "hottest" items among thieves, today. If you purchase a TV and then discard the entire box into the alley, prospective thieves can easily identify the house that it came from.
  
  
• Be Careful to Notice Who is in Your Building – residents in apartment buildings need to be careful about who is entering a building with them. Access past the front door can mean access to the entire building. Be sure to ask if you don't recognize a person.
  
  
• Crime Travels – Criminal burglary tends to "move", and does not stay in one location. So, it is important to watch the broader community, and to be prepared.
  
  
• If you See Something, Say Something – As the police officers reminded the room, if in doubt, don't hesitate to call 911. They would prefer to investigate, than to have a crime be committed.

The Police also provide a safety review of homes and buildings. If you would like to have a review of your home, please contact the 18th District CAPS office at 312-742-5778.