Rural residents need to think of safety, too

November 27, 2005

KRISten Seine\For the Frontiersman

In places like Meadow Lakes, Big Lake and Willow, life usually has a different feel to it than in the city. There is a sense that one is buffered somewhat from modern problems city-dwellers face Š there is less noise, less traffic and less crime. Most people know their neighbors (if they can see them!), and many people never lock their doors.

However, with these communities among the fastest growing in the state, residents may want to rethink that last part. Whenever populations rise, so do crime rates, said Alaska State Trooper Lt. Randy Hahn. And while there is no reason to be alarmed, some crimes - particularly property crimes - are on the rise in these areas.

Thefts have become a more common occurrence in outlying areas, Hahn said. Most likely because the populations in these areas have grown. But &#8220criminals have gotten smarter,” Hahn said.

&#8220Certainly, a lot of thefts are crimes of opportunity,” he said. However, those looking to steal often put a lot more &#8220work” into it than you might think. &#8220Sometimes, they'll drive around for days, watching people's patterns of who is home at a certain time and who's not,” he said. &#8220They know whose neighbors are asleep at 8 p.m., or they know at which houses the lights go off at 10 p.m. and won't come on again until morning.”

And sometimes would-be criminals virtually go shopping, he said. &#8220They might drive through an area looking for, say, a snowmachine. Then they watch for a time when that house with the Polaris 800 RMK is vacant,” he said.

Hahn said it's a good idea to make sure your ATVs, snowmachines and other &#8220toys” are chained or locked up somehow, and that also extends to cars and trucks. He said many of these are stolen every winter because they are left unlocked or with the keys in them, sometimes even running. &#8220Removing the keys completely from the vehicle is a good idea,” he said, adding, &#8220Many people ‘hide' them in common places and they are not that difficult to find.”

Usually, Hahn said, crooks simply follow the path of least resistance. &#8220They might wander through a neighborhood and try two or three doors until they find one that is unlocked,” he said. &#8220Then they can simply walk right in and help themselves.”

Surprisingly, thieves don't stick to wealthier-looking neighborhoods, either. They'll even hit partially constructed houses and steal the building materials. &#8220They're stealing sinks and cabinets,” Hahn said. He noted that construction tools are often a favorite of thieves.

The bottom line, Hahn said, is that rural residents should ltake reasonable precautions against theft.

&#8220Lock your doors,” he said, and repeated it for effect. &#8220Lock your doors. When you're gone and when you're home alone. I've got other security measures, and I lock my doors,” he said.

And consider buying a light on a timer, he said. &#8220Then, change the times you have the lights go on every week or so, so you're not doing the same thing, creating a pattern,” he said.

Alarms are good, but in truth, especially in more isolated areas, they might not deter a crime, Hahn said. However, they might make a thief get out a lot quicker. &#8220He's going to want to spend less time there,” he said.

With holiday traveling season close upon us, Hahn had some tips for those leaving their homes for a time. Some are obvious, like having a friend pick up newspapers and mail while you're gone. Others you might not think of.

&#8220If you usually plow your drive, have someone continue to do that,” Hahn said. &#8220If not, then just ask someone to walk back and forth to your front door, to make it look like someone is coming and going.”

Also, you may call the troopers and let them know you're leaving. While they are, of course, too busy to be a house-sitting service, they can drive by on occasion.

&#8220We can put a note on our briefing board, which we check every single day,” he said. &#8220Then, if we have the time and we're in the area, we can patrol that area for them.”