Police Offer Crime Prevention Class After String Of Burglaries
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PLANO (CBSDFW.COM) - After more than two dozen recent break-ins Plano Police officers anticipated a large turnout for a crime prevention class Wednesday that teaches homeowners how to beef up security.
Part of the class focuses on how to fortify your front and back doors with equipment you can buy at the hardware store. Police recommend a Double Security Strike Plate because the screws holding it in place are four times bigger than what people typically have, but hardware is just the beginning.
After a string of burglaries in Plano and surrounding areas, police hope everyone will take a fresh look at how they can protect themselves. Despite some recent arrests, investigators say the thief known as the 'Evening Burglar' who hits homes with lightning speed between six and nine at night is still out there.
"It leads us to believe that he's watching. He's watching when they take off and knows when to strike," said Plano Police Officer Chris Bianez, who teaches the crime prevention class.
Bianez teaches homeowners to report suspicious behavior, and you may not even realize something as simple as a knock at your door could be suspicious.
"If they're not expecting anyone, they just keep quiet, and now you've given that burglar a false sense that no one's home, and the next thing that happens -- bam -- that back door's kicked open, three guys come in," Bianez said.
Homeowners are taught to answer suspicious door knocks by going to the door and speaking through the door, "Honey, I got it. Who is it?"
"Now you've said a lot without saying anything. You let them know that you're home. You let them know that 'Honey's' home, and you've asked an important question," Bianez said.
Police tell us they find most of the people buying things like enhanced door locks are recent victims, so they hope they can change that by urging people to prevent crimes in the first place.
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