By CASEY NEILL
For the past two months, police have been knocking on doors and speaking to homeowners to advise them about ways to reduce their risk of burglary. Journal reporter CASEY NEILL joined them on patrol last week.
“I DON’T know if that’s any use to you, but… ”
It’s a phrase that could help police shut down a burglary spree.
All ears last Tuesday, 14 October, were First Constable Jerome Ithier, Constable Trent Chivers and Constable Gil Cristovao Correia.
They were hitting the streets of Endeavour Hills as part of a Victoria Police pilot across Greater Dandenong, Casey and Cardinia.
The region’s Safer Communities Unit deploys patrols to areas where burglaries have occurred using ‘hot spot’ maps.
Sergeant Melissa Blair said the initiative was based on research that showed that houses within 200 to 400 metres of a burgled property were temporarily at risk of being targeted next.
“They’ll often go to the next street down, expecting to find the same sort of stuff,” she said.
Sgt Blair said burglary victims were also at high risk of being re-victimised for seven days following the theft.
“They wait for you to replace your television and laptop then head in again,” she said.
She said crews worked on the doorknock project from 10am to 6pm each day, hitting up to 200 houses in a shift.
She told last Tuesday’s team that some residents would panic, assuming they were there to deliver bad news.
“Others will think you’re there to get them,” she said.
“Tell them straight up you’re there to teach them about crime prevention.
“Policing these days is about prevention.
“Lower crime statistics help people to feel safer.”
Sgt Blair said the patrols were a chance for new officers to hone their communication skills.
“Don’t knock people for telling you ‘silly’ information,” she said.
“If they tell you they’ve seen a silver Ford hanging around in the street, write it down.
“Someone knows something about every burglary.
“You might find that person.
“Every piece of information is worth something.”
The teams also hand out plenty of information about securing properties against burglary.
“Simple stuff that could stop them being a victim in the future,” Sgt Blair said.
“Deadlocks, sensor lighting, not having a hedge in front of their front door.
“If they see a police car drive down the street they’ll lie down behind the hedge.
“To be a good copper you have to think how crooks do.”
First Constable Ithier handed a leaflet to a woman who lived in Celtis Place, Endeavour Hills, where a home a few doors down was burgled over the weekend.
“You know best who should and shouldn’t be in your street,” he said.
“If you notice anything unusual, call the local police station.”
She told him about a girl aged 15 or 16 wearing blue jeans and a dark hoodie and carrying a pink handbag.
She stopped at each letterbox in the street on the Wednesday prior to the robbery, but didn’t put anything in them.
From there, we moved onto Joseph Banks Crescent, Endeavour Hills, where another burglary occurred over the weekend.
“Everything’s alright,” Constable Chivers assured a woman as she opened her front door.
She said: “It was a bit scary having police knock on my door,” but gratefully accepted the warning.
A man at another home told the police he’d already increased security at his property.
“We have been knocked off twice,” he said.
Everyone who answered their door to the patrol received a brochure listing simple steps to take to improve home security. Those who weren’t home received one in their letter box.
The checklist included locking all windows and doors even when at home, and says unlocked side and rear doors are the most common entry points for burglars.
It recommended installing and using quality deadlocks on all external doors and windows and keeping valuables out of plain sight and in a secure place.
“Be vigilant and report any suspicious behaviour to police immediately via triple zero,” the letter said.
“Crime prevention is a daily responsibility and your ongoing participation is the best way to ensure a safer and more secure community.”
Police are also offering residents free security audits to help identify areas where home security could be improved.
Residents can download a crime prevention fact sheet from www.police.vic.gov.au to learn more about how to secure a property against burglary.
