Ballymun gardai back new safety campaign

LOCAL gardai in
Ballymun are backing a Supporting Safer Communities campaign that’s being
launched at the Ploughing Championships this week by Garda Commissioner, Martin
Callinan.

The campaign is
focussing on prevention and reduction of burglary and the Ballymun based boys
and girls in blue will be making themselves available locally to raise
awareness of home robberies.

Despite the most
recent CSO figures indicating that incidents of burglary have fallen by 3.8 per
cent over the past year there’s always a chance of unprotected homes being
targeted.

And gardai are
concerned that many local home owners aren’t fully aware of all the precautions
they can take to prevent them from becoming victims.

“The public
should not become complacent towards improving their burglary prevention
measures,

? a Garda spokesperson said.

“Burglary in
general is an opportunist crime and homes are regularly targeted because of the
opportunities provided to break in without being detected.

?

Ballymun gardai
have issued the following useful tips for the Supporting Safer Communities
campaign.

?¢ An intruder
alarm is an effective deterrent but it should not be considered a replacement
for good physical security. Encourage the entire family to get into the habit
of setting the alarm at all times.

?¢ The most
common entry method used by the burglar is through the front door. Always
ensure your door is locked when you leave the house, even to work in the
garden. Use quality locks and ensure that doors are fitted and installed
properly.

?¢ More than a
third of burglars enter property through a window. External beading on windows
can be pried away and the glass panel lifted out. Upper windows can be easily
accessed using a climbing aid, like down pipes, an unsecured ladder or from an
adjoining roof.

?¢ Residents in
apartment buildings should not

‘buzz in’ or grant entry to people through the
intercom system if they do not know them and be wary of people

‘tail-gating’
them into buildings.

Gardai are also
encouraging locals to make use of community spirit. They say one of the best
security devices are neighbours.

“Leave your
spare key with a trusted neighbour who can also keep an eye on your house when
you are away,

? the spokesperson continued.

“Avoid hiding a
spare key under a mat or other hiding spot. Experienced burglars know all the
common places to search.

“Invite your
neighbour to park in your driveway while you are away or if the house is
unoccupied for any long period. Ask your neighbour to check on your house and
remove any build up of post from the letter box.

?

Gardai say all
suspicious vehicles and persons should be reported to them as they can be
checked out in minutes. Solving a burglary and recovering stolen property can
take much longer.

They are also
encouraging local residents to join or help set up a Neighbourhood Watch scheme
in their area. Advice is available from the local Garda Station in Ballymun.