Drawing on his experience of a career in policing and private security, Paul Thompson offers advice on how the pubic can stop themselves from becoming victims of crime . . .
Crime is a serious threat to our society. And although police are in the front lines, there is a lot the public can do to prevent crime from destroying our communities.
My interest in crime prevention began when I was a detective on the Royal Bahamas Police Force. In addition to a lot of personal research on the subject, I undertook special training at police colleges in Britain, where prevention was a major part of the curriculum, and also at Interpol in France.
In this week’s article - the sixth in the series - I’m presenting information on crime prevention gleaned from a decades-long career as both a police officer and a private security specialist.
First, some home truths. There is no mystery to this subject. Experts around the world have long identified the basic principles of crime prevention.
Paul Thompson is the quintessential policeman. His career spanned the modern development of The Bahamas - from colonial times to the challenges of nationhood.
Born in a small farming village in Trinidad, he was recruited by the Royal Bahamas Police Force in 1951. He spent most of his time on the force in the Criminal Investigation Department, retiring in 1981 as an Assistant Commissioner.
He then began a second career as head of security for the Paradise Island Resort & Casino, returning to the police force as a civilian training officer in 1998, and in 2002 was appointed general manager of Wemco Security.
Five years later, he set up his own security company - Paul Thompson & Associates. Now in his 80s, he remains active in security work.
These include ‘target hardening’, removing the means to commit crime, reducing the payoff from crime, tightening surveillance, increasing the chances of being caught and deflecting offenders.
Most crimes in The Bahamas are committed against property, not people, and they are not carefully planned. They are often committed on the spur of the moment when an opportunity arises. So we can all help to reduce the opportunities by taking proper precautions.
First, take a good look at your home or business and identify weak spots and hiding places, and then prioritise ways to address them. This could include better locks, not leaving valuable items in view, ensuring that ladders and tools are not accessible, securing doors and windows, fencing your yard, adding security systems and lights and organising a neighbourhood watch.
Reducing crimes against property (which are, to a large extent, preventable) will allow the police to focus more on violent crime, which creates fear in our communities.
Vehicle theft
Vehicle theft and the theft of items from vehicles are two types of crime that could easily be reduced simply by owners being more careful.
Don’t leave attractive items in the open. Don’t leave keys in the car. And don’t leave your car unattended in an isolated area.
This advice is no more than basic common sense. But vehicle theft is a major problem in The Bahamas - especially on New Providence. For years I have been making the following recommendations to combat this problem:
Road Traffic inspectors should crosscheck Vehicle Identification Numbers, chassis and engine numbers to detect stolen vehicles. As long as criminals can re-licence stolen vehicles they will continue to steal.
Insurance companies should offer rebates to owners who install effective theft-prevention equipment in their vehicles. There is a range of high-tech equipment on the market today that can help reduce vehicle theft.
Police, Customs and Road Traffic personnel should conduct regular inspections of vehicles on used car lots to expose fencing and smuggling activities.
These simple suggestions would result in a fall-off in vehicle theft, and the possible arrest of those involved in what has become a very rewarding criminal activity.
Out on
your own
When walking in the open, hold your bag close to you with the clasp facing inwards. Carry your house keys in your pocket. And if someone grabs your bag, let it go, because your safety is more important than your property.
If you suspect someone is stalking you, cross the street more than once and see who follows. Or go to the nearest place where there are other people, or to a well-lit area where you can call the police. Don’t walk around wearing expensive jewellery, and consider carrying a personal alarm to scare off attackers.
Finally, don’t take shortcuts through dark alleys or across undeveloped land. Walk facing traffic so a vehicle cannot pull up behind you unnoticed. And if a vehicle stops and you feel threatened, scream and set off your personal alarm, then run away.
When driving
Do not pick up hitchhikers, and keep your car doors locked and windows up, with valuables out of sight.
If you think you are being followed, make as much noise as possible and drive to a busy place or to the nearest police station.
When approaching your parked car, have the keys in hand and ensure that no-one is in the vehicle before entering. After entering, lock the doors immediately before starting the vehicle.
Be aware that criminals often fake minor accidents to get drivers to stop in lonely areas. If your car is hit and you feel uncomfortable, lock your doors and call the police. If you feel threatened move on, but try to get the number and description of the offending vehicle.
Neighbourhood watches
Working with others to monitor your neighbourhood can help prevent break-ins. Police may not recognise a stranger inside your yard or an unusual vehicle in the area, but your neighbours will.
Look out for suspicious persons and activities - for example, a vehicle passing by several times or suspiciously parked, or strangers taking a short cut through a yard. If you see something suspicious, don’t assume that someone else has called the police. Take action yourself.
Domestic violence
Violent attack inside or outside the home is a criminal offence no matter who commits the abuse.
In the short term you can plan emergency measures by talking to a trustworthy neighbour, and perhaps packing an overnight bag. Include any legal and financial papers you might need, along with treasured possessions and medicines.
In the longer term you have to plan how to change your situation. Domestic violence can be dealt with through the police and courts, or by volunteer-operated crisis centres.
If the worst happens
Preparing yourself for all possibilities in the event of being attacked could provide a split-second advantage.
If someone threatens you, scream for help. If you have been a victim of crime call the police straight away. Try to remember what the attacker looked like, and give a description of any vehicle that was involved. Write this information down as soon as possible after the crime.
Sexual assault is a serious crime, whether committed by a stranger or by someone you know. The immediate reaction of a rape victim will be to wash and change clothes, but this should be avoided because it will destroy vital evidence.
As a longtime police officer I can tell you that crime prevention is everyone’s business, and it needs to be a part of our daily routine.
Some time ago there was an excellent radio show on Love 97 FM called ‘Policing Today’, presented by Assistant Commissioner Hulan Hanna. This programme provided effective communication on crime prevention issues, but is no longer on the air.
In my view, the Broadcasting Corporation should be promoting prevention measures and encouraging the public to help the police in the fight against crime.
NEXT WEEK: how the police and public can best work together to combat crime
Comments and responses to insight@tribunemedia.net
Correction
In last week’s article Paul Thompson said that Phil Ruffin made a public relations show of rewarding the police with a donation of $100,000 after nearly $1 million was recovered after an armed robbery at the Crystal Palace Casino. In fact, the amount he promised to donate was $10,000 and it was not to the police directly, but to the Police Dependents Fund.
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