The dark time of the year has come, days are getting shorter, and darkness sets in earlier.
According to the German Polizei, it is also prime time for burglars and thieves. Kaiserslautern and surroundings are generally considered to be relatively safe and have a low crime rate.
But, as always, there are dishonest people everywhere, so please be aware!
According to the Polizei, about 50 percent of burglaries occur between 8 a.m. and 8 p.m. Most burglars will readily give up if they can’t get into the house within three to five minutes and often work with simple tools such as screw drivers or wrenches.
The German Polizei has started a campaign against burglary and theft and would like to share a few important tips to ensure that you and your family remain safe and take appropriate measures to safeguard your home and belongings.
Do you know your neighbors?
Police experience has shown that observant neighbors can help in avoiding criminal offenses such as burglaries. If you don’t know your neighbors, politely greet them with a friendly “Guten Tag” on the street or invite them to a cup of coffee or hot chocolate across the fence to get to know them a bit. Just recently in Kaiserslautern, an attentive neighbor observed two suspicious characters at the house across the street, called the Polizei and the culprits were caught on scene. In addition, let your neighbors know that you are on a TDY or on vacation and ask them to keep an eye on the house during your absence.
Opportunity makes thieves
Do not even give burglars a chance. Do not deposit any keys in outdoor places, such as under the door mat, under flowerpots or in wall crevices. If possible, let down your rolladen during longer periods of absence, in particular at the back of the house where intruders may remain undiscovered and out of sight. The same is true for items left in your car, such as laptops, cell phones, spare keys or even wallets, as these can be easily spotted in a vehicle. And, by all means, make sure to lock the car, even for short periods of absence.
Burglars always come at night?
Incorrect thinking — burglars often come during the day. They will scout around the neighborhood and wait for residents to go to school, work or out to shopping. Based on early darkness this time of the year, they are very active during dusk because they are more difficult to spot and not that many people are out on the streets.
Are your windows and your doors safely secured? Have you thought about your basement windows?
Tilted windows are basically open windows and hardly an obstacle for an intruder. Make sure to always properly close windows during your absence. Many modern windows or balcony doors are equipped with separate locks. In addition, turn your house door key two or three times to make sure that the locks are properly anchored in the frame. It is easy to pry open a door if it only falls in place unlocked.
What to do if you spot a burglar in the act?
Retreat to a safe place, immediately dial 1-1-2 and wait for police instructions. Do not attempt to approach or stop the intruder, as this may lead to aggression, and you could endanger yourself. Try to remember as many details as possible, such as how many persons, their appearance (height, hair color, figure and complexion), which language are they speaking, whether they have a car or vehicle and possibly the plate number.
You come home and discover that someone has broken in?
Immediately call police, do not touch anything, and file a police report for possible insurance matters.
Don’t give pickpockets a chance!
The holiday season is soon to begin bringing with it winter and Christmas Markets, holiday shoppers crowding stores and a few “long fingers” having their most “prosperous” season. If you plan to go to any highly frequented spots, make sure to secure your purses, wallets, cell phones and valuables.
A wallet or phone loosely placed in your back pocket is an easy target, open handbags showing content provide little to no protection against theft. If possible, carry items inside jacket or coat pockets, not visible and difficult for others to reach. You might also consider wearing your backpack in front of you, turning it into a “front pack.” In any case, be careful and don’t give pickpockets a chance!
Be vigilant, turn your home into your personal “Fort Knox,” don’t give burglars or thieves an opportunity, and help protect your neighbors as well.