DON’T BE A VICTIM!
Did you know that according to the FBI a burglary occurs somewhere in the U.S. approximately every l5 seconds? The United States Department of Justice reports that burglars select targets based on a number of key facts, which include “visibility or surveillability.” What does this mean? The extent to which neighbors or passersby can see a house reflects its visibility or surveillability. A burglar’s risk of being seen entering or leaving a property influences target selection.
The Mott Community College Department of Public Safety wants to keep our campus and the surrounding area safe. We have initiated
“Operation Night Light.” What does this mean? Our goal is to work with our surrounding neighborhoods, offering simple safety tips that may reduce your chance in becoming a burglary victim. We can start doing this by making a commitment to increase visibility around our homes at night.
What are we asking you to do? In our continued Community Policing effort, we routinely patrol the neighborhoods in an approximate one mile radius surrounding our campus. Many homes have no exterior lights or very poor lighting. We are asking you to turn on your exterior lights at night, to increase visibility and help keep your neighborhood safe.
Here are a few additional safety tips:
- Install motion-activated security lighting on the sides and back of your home.
- Trim bushes, shrubs and trees so entries aren’t obstructed and to reduce hiding places.
- Ensure your house number is clearly visible from the street day and night.
- All exterior doors should be solid hardwood or metal-clad.
- Always lock your doors when you are away from home and at night.
- Shut and lock your garage doors and windows.
- Does your neighborhood have a block club? If so, do you regularly attend meetings?
- If you are gone in the evening use timers on lamps, televisions, etc.
- If you are gone for an extended period of time, have your mail and/or newspaper delivery stopped or ask a neighbor to collect it.
- Install a security alarm, the louder the better.
These are just a few things you can do to reduce the risk of having your home burglarized. As a part of our commitment to “Operation Night Light,” we are offering a complimentary home security check conducted by one of our police officers. When we have completed this security check, you will be provided with a free energy efficient light bulb. What do we ask in return? Light up the exterior of your home! Then tell your neighbors and get everyone involved!
If you are interested, we ask that you fill out the required information and drop it off at the Mott Community College Public Safety Building, located on the northeast corner of Gorman Drive and Presidential Court. An officer will contact you as soon as they are able and schedule your home security check.
