It’s a fact: Crimes of all sorts rise in frequency in the summer months. Criminologists have outlined a variety of reasons for this, but the reality is that crime in the Garden District will increase in the summer, as it will everywhere else.
The best security is multi-layered. Knowing your neighbors and keeping an eye out for unusual activity is the first step. There are plenty of other ways we can reduce crime in the Garden District and beyond. Here are some suggestions:
- Get to know your property. Walk the perimeter of your house and check for obvious security problems. This could include a garage door that doesn’t close, a broken window, or even a hiding spot where a criminal could lay in wait.
- Reduce the opportunity. The easiest and most impactful way to reduce crime is to simply lock your doors and keep valuables out of sight. Most crimes are simply opportunity. That’s why criminals target vehicles and homes with valuable items left visibly on display, pulling handles looking for unlocked doors.
- Improve your lighting. Light is one of the single best deterrents to crime. The cost of running an LED light bulb is significantly less than the old incandescent bulbs, and there’s a myriad of switches that allow you to control security lighting intelligently.
- Check your locks. Most hardware store-grade can be bumped or picked within seconds. A qualified locksmith can make recommendations about higher quality locks that can better secure your home.
- Secure your valuables. Criminals know to look in dresser drawers, in the freezer, in the backs of closets, and in the other hiding spots that most people employ. A high quality home safe—bolted to the floor and the wall—will deter all but the most determined criminals.
