Dear Readers:
(Jan/Feb 96)
"Big Bear crime for the most part, is a crime of opportunity," according to Sheriff's Captain Walt Hanson.
"We don't have tremendous spikes in crime that affect property owners. For the most part, we see burglaries, larceny or theft, and vandalism and malicious mischief. Some years are slightly higher, some years lower."
Valley-wide figures for 1993 saw the sheriffs office investigating 568 total burglaries, 684 larceny or theft calls, and 393 vandalism calls. 1994 figures for burglaries rose to 684, while larceny or theft dropped to 612 and vandalism dropped to 302.
Big Bear has a unique population breakdown - where only a third of our homeowners are permanent residents, two thirds are 2nd homeowners. The situation leaves many homes vacant and unoccupied for long periods of time, which can create opportunities for the criminal looking for the right situation. With literally millions of visitors arriving in Big Bear each year, Hanson suggests property owners take several steps to help prevent residential criminal activity.
"It always helps to be nosey." Hanson recommends you get to know your neighbors. If you are a 2nd homeowner, permanent residents will usually take the time to call if they see anything unusual happening at your home.
"The worst thing a 2nd homeowner can do is let their home sit dormant with no activity, for long periods of time."
Former Big Bear company Home Chek Services, owned by Jim & Linda Ackermann, offered routine inspections, maintenance and openings and closings for the 2nd homeowner. Jim always advised 2nd homeowners NOT to leave a spare key under the mat or in the electric box.
All Protection Alarm, still offers Big Bear homes alarmed protection, valley-wide, with the only monitoring station here in Big Bear.
Most agree it is definitely a wise idea to keep a key locally, if your home is not on a maintenance or security program, you may be able to leave a key with a neighbor, your contractor, even your Realtor. If you hide a key on the premises, be creative, and hide a key in an easily explainable location, but not an obvious spot.
It's hard to evaluate, but the posted signs from security and maintenance companies may in themselves offer a deterrent to the local or Big Bear visitor-type criminal.
Captain Hanson offered the four "D's" derived from the Neighborhood Watch Program.
1. Deter - noisy neighbors, children, dogs, citizen patrols, alarms, etc. Know your neighbors. (At this writing in 1995, Big Bear had an active Citizens Patrol, with more than 60 volunteer members, who donate of 10,000 hours per year, driving our streets and looking for unusual activity.)
2. Deny - Keep your doors and windows locked, including your garage door. Keep landscaping cut back from windows and entrance ways. Don't give criminals an easy target.
3. Delay - Make your home look "lived in" even if you are gone. Use timers for lights, radios, televisions. Have a neighbor pick up any newspapers. Park a neighbors car in the driveway.
4. Detect - report suspicious persons or activity. If your home looks like it has been burglarized, don't enter. Go to a neighbor's residence and call the police immediately.
"Often," Hanson admits, "we aren't going to catch criminals in progress." Make an inventory of your property - know exactly what items you have in your home." If you have a video camera, it's a good idea to tape your items and keep the tape in a safe place at your primary residence.
Big Bear 2nd homeowners are in a more vulnerable position, due to the fact that their homes lack consistent activity. It is worth acting on prevention of crime before your home becomes a target and you become a victim.
Barbara Scharnhorst, Publisher/Editor
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