Letter from Dallas Police Officer Kevin Janse

People often ask me what they can do to reduce the chances of becoming a crime victim.  Let me give you some ideas and suggestions, some may seem trivial, while others seem far-fetched, but trust me, I've been dealing with criminals long enough to know they don't always think like we do.  Most career criminals are very talented, just as you or I are talented at our jobs.  Over my 11 year career of playing hide and seek with the bad guys, I have figured out what they like and dislike and what they look for in a target:

1. Lock your doors

2. Lock your cars

3. Buy "The Club"

4. Hide your valuables

5. Install motion lights

6. Park in your driveway

7. Buy a big dog bone or water bowl and place in your backyard

8. Don't let mail or papers stack up

9. Get alarm company sign for your yard, even if you don't have one

10. Know your neighbors

11. Know your neighbors routines

12. Don't have a routine (tell your neighbor this)

13. Put a peep hole in solid doors

14. If out of town, tell your neighbor to use your trash dumpster

15. Leave space in front of you at a stop light

16. Make eye contact with people and smile, you can now describe the suspect

17. Don't act scared or intimidated

18. Mow your yard

19. Lock your alley gate

20. Keep shrubs cut low

21. Walk/Jog with a friend

22. Don't put the boxes of expensive items by the curb

23. Buy a cop a house or a car (just an idea)

24. USE COMMON SENSE!

Kevin Janse
Dallas Police Department