Keep Crime Out 

Statistically, the question is not whether or not crime’s going to happen. Crime will happen. The question is who’s least prepared for it because that’s who it’s going to happen to. There are a lot of things that I suggest to my clients to hold crime down that don’t have a darn thing to do with alarm systems, and I’m happy to share those things with anyone.

 Be safe not sorry graphic

Criminals are always looking for weaknesses in the habits of homeowners. Make sure you aren’t making it easy for them.

Here are two things I most often tell clients:

  • Be aware during times of transition. We as humans are most vulnerable in times of transition—moving, for instance, from your house to your car, from your car to the shopping center, from the shopping center back to the car. One of the things that just gets my goat is to see women leaving the shopping mall, usually with one of two things going on; either the young ladies are so deep into their texting that they are completely oblivious to what’s going on around them, or as adults, we’re digging in our pocketbook all the way to the bottom for those keys that we can’t lay our hands on, completely oblivious to what’s going on around us. This is a really easy problem to fix, and it would greatly hold down crime in parking lots to simply be aware of what’s going on.
  • Watch what you put under your windows. We all want to make our house a home, of course, but my advice is to make your house a home without also making it inviting to criminals. I’ve seen clients make the mistake of putting a real pretty little bench under a pair of windows, giving burglars a handy stepstool for accessing those particular windows. Likewise, I will never understand why so many people design houses and position their heat and air units directly under the windows. Again, they create a perfect step stool. If at all possible, keep the area under your windows free of any furniture or appliance that will make a burglar’s job easier.

Please note that my goal is not to scare the bejeebers out of Nashville. My goal is to raise awareness and to empower people to protect themselves. The best way to protect yourself is to be smart about your surroundings.