Home
And Personal Security
A Major Concern For Year End
This is the time to enjoy the year end
activities and celebrations, but also a time
for criminals, taking advantage of the many
who let down their guard. In the last week
of the year, history shows an increase of
attacks on pedestrians, mainly in the
downtown core and home robberies.
Fuerza Pública (police) officials say that
they have already seen an increase over
2008, though it is still too early to talk
numbers.
Police advise that is you live or have to go
to downtown San José, stay alert and watch
your belongings. Most of the attacks are of
those who let their guard down, even for a
moment, especially when it comes to carrying
large amounts of cash and wearing jewellery
exposed.
Stay alert, is the recommendation. Walk
briskly, do not pull out your wallet, cash
or cell phone in the middle of the street,
clutch a handbag tightly.
When it comes to leaving your home alone,
the majority of robberies are those of
opportunity, where security is low, a door
or gate left open and evidence of no one is
home.
A security alarm helps. Advising your
neighbours if you are going to be absent for
an extended period is good idea. Using
timers to turn off lights and television
and/or radio at intervals gives the
appearance of someone being home.
Ensure that gates close properly, add a
chain and lock if necessary. A good fence
not only makes for good neighbours, but can
also ensure than thieves pass by your home,
moving on to an easier target.
A good lock, one that cannot be easily cut
with a bolt cutter or picked easily will
help. Many homes do not reinforce their
deadbolt locks, the door easily pried open
with a crowbar.
Another problem evident in many homes is the
rolling front gate. Many such gates do not
have a stop lock or stop bar, which makes it
easily to lift off its lower or upper track
and forced open enough to allow entry.
Creating a lawyer of entry points, making it
entry complicated and more difficult, helps
foil thieves.
Many home owners sometimes fall into a false
sense of security by having a dog in the
yard. One dog is good, but not effective, as
it can easily be handled with a nice juicy
steak, which many times can be drugged or
poisoned.
The recommendation is have several dogs and
that they cannot be easily accessed from the
front gate, that is they can be seen and
heard, but not reached.
Inside Costa Rica's security system. Our
pack of huskies are on guard 24/7. |
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