The Royal Turks and Caicos Islands Police is committed to ensuring public safety and reducing the fear and incidence of crime in the Turks and Caicos Islands. However, there are many things each and everyone can do to reduce his or her chances of becoming a victim or prevent the incidence of crime from happening. From time to time Crime Prevention tips are posted on our website, Social Media pages, and the newspapers for awareness to the public, but they apparently are not taken seriously.
There are reports of persons getting burglarized because they left their window or door unlock and went to bed or went out. We still get reports of vehicles being stolen because the owners left the keys in the ignition, or vehicle being vandalized because owners left items such as handbags, purse or valuable items visible where they can be seen. All these are crimes of opportunity and makes persons vulnerable to becoming victims.
Crimes occur because we open ourselves and our families to criminal opportunities. Talking to strangers, taking for granted one’s safety outside the home, etc. make us easy prey to criminals. In the fight against crime, knowing that the worst can happen makes you less prone to be a victim and more confident of avoiding disasters.
Protecting yourself, your family and your home is a matter of responsibility that cannot be taken on by anyone else. You can make the difference.
What can you do to protect yourself and family at home?
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Ensure all doors and windows have locks in working condition. Keep only that is used to enter the house open, all other entry points to your household should be securely locked to prevent unnoticed entry into your home.
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Make it a habit to check that all doors and windows are locked at night before going to sleep. The dark of night is a most ready camouflage for robbers, burglars and other criminals.
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Outside your home: Prune lower tree limbs – don’t provide the thief with a natural ladder into second floor windows. Keep the view to your house open – criminals love to hide behind tall fences or overgrown bushes while breaking into your home.
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Keeps porches, yards, and all entrances to your house and garage well lighted. Leave lights on inside your house when you go out for the evening.
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Keep a record of the important information (especially make, model number, serial number) of all household facilities and equipment, such as TV, Laptop, cellphones, radio, video cassette recorder, refrigerator, VCR, washing machine. Have an inventory of your jewelry and other precious items and documents like birth, baptismal and marriage certificates.
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Store cash and other valuable in the bank. Hiding them inside locked drawers does not guarantee that they will be safe from the knowing eyes and practiced moves of robbers.
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Bring in all outdoor equipment (bicycles, garden hose, mower, etc.) at night. Leaving these valuables out in the garden or street is an open invitation to robbers and thieves.
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Protect your house from prying eyes by using curtains or drapes.
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Provide family members with their own keys to the house. This is safer than leaving the key in a “secret” place, one that can be discovered by any person who takes the time to watch your movements when you leave your home and come back at night.
- If you and your family are going on a vacation, ask a neighbor to watch your home, or ask a relative to stay in your home while you are away. An empty house is a prime target for criminal elements.