HOW CAN WE PROTECT OURSELVES FROM CRIME?
Great question: requires complex, multi-layered answers. One way is to become involved in your neighborhood. “Neighborhood Watch” is both inexpensive and effective. It really only requires a suspicious nature, watchful eyes, a working telephone, and a willingness to “get involved”. As the cliché says: “If you see something, say something.”
Let me give you an example: In a nearby city, a resident awoke from the noise of her dog barking. She looked out the window and saw the interior light on in a neighbor’s car, parked inside the neighbor’s garage. Strangely, the dog does not usually bark at the coming and goings of the neighbor. A few minutes later, another barking dog woke up another homeowner down the street. She also looked out her window and observed two young men walking down the street, one of which was carrying what appeared to be a purse. One of the pair walked into her driveway and shined a light into her parked car. She yelled out here window, “Get away from there!” The pair ran away. Both incidents were suspicious but apparently not worthy of a call to the police.
The next day, the owner of the car in the garage woke up to find that her car was burglarized during the night. A purse, and its contents, which had been left in the unlocked car, were now gone. The purse contained cash, a checkbook, and keys to the family business, credit cards, a driver’s license and numerous items that could assist the thief with identification theft. Left in a car, an unlocked car??????
HINDSIGHT: more than 20/20
I’m not sure of the reasons why the witnesses did not call the police in the city where this crime occurred, but here is a list of the reasons why Boundary County residents tell deputies why they don’t call the Sheriff’s Office:
1. DENIAL – the observed act was suspicious but the witness does not recognize the activity as being criminal. The first assumption made by the witness and the person that left a purse in an unlocked car is “that sort of thing (crime) does not happen HERE”.
2. BUSY – the deputies are probably too busy to respond.
3. EMBARRASSMENT/BOTHER – The citizen does not want to “bother” law enforcement with the report of something that is “probably nothing serious, anyway”, see reason No. 1 and 2.
4. NOTHING will be done: the culprit won’t be caught or a smart defense attorney will get the person off.
Let me address each issue: “Yes, Virginia, it happens here.” Crime happens HERE. The days when you could leave your house and car unlocked should be over. There are parolees and probationers who are residing in our community. Most successfully complete their parole or probation, but not all. We live in a drug corridor. Drug shipments between Montana and Spokane pass along highway 95. Crimes of opportunity, like a purse left in an unlocked car, are simply too much temptation for some people.
In large, metropolitan police departments, on a Friday or Saturday night, a citizen might have to wait for up to an hour and a half for the police to arrive on a call. In Boundary County we are lucky. Lower response times increases the probability of apprehension enormously. First things first, deputies cannot respond until the Sheriff’s Office is notified of the suspicious or criminal activity! IF YOU SEE SOMETHING, SAY SOMETHING!
Embarrassment? Your efforts at being a good neighbor and good citizen will be applauded, especially by your neighbor, the potential victim of the crime!
Afraid? Your call can be anonymous. The important thing is to make it! If you see a crime, report it. PLEASE teach your children how and when to call 911 responsibly.
Lastly, the reporting of a crime makes you part of the team working to make this a better community in which we live and work. The best chance of outwitting the smart defense attorney (is that an oxymoron?) is to catch the culprit RED-HANDED, while he/she still has the fruits of the crime in their sticky fingers.
The phone number for city police, Sheriff and Idaho State Police dispatch is 267-3151. Responding to criminal or suspicious incidents is what we do.
If it is a crime-in-progress, don’t forget the old, old joke: If you can’t remember the number for 911, call information and ask for the number for 911.
IF YOU SEE A CRIME, A DRUNK DRIVER, OR ANY SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY, REPORT IT! You’ll be a good neighbor and you’ll be living in a better, safer neighborhood.