LINO LAKES, Minn. – No one wants to become the victim of crime. Yet everyday that’s exactly what happens to people in our community. The Lino Lakes Police Department wants to empower their residents with the knowledge to help prevent crimes from happening to them.
“Crime prevention in theory is simple,” explained Sgt. Kelly McCarthy, Lino Lakes Police, “Crime can only take place if you have a motivated offender who comes in contact with a victim or target in a suitable location. If we can impact one of those three, crime can’t occur.”
There are very simple ways for you to help break up the crime triangle. Increasing the effort it takes to commit a crime is one. Especially in the theft of motor vehicles, locking doors can increase the effort it takes to commit a crime, and deter criminal activity.
And, while you can’t always prevent a crime from happening to you, there are ways to increase the likelihood of the criminals getting caught. For example, logging serial numbers of your items can help if a thief attempts to sell the items they have stolen.
These behaviors, when taken up by the entire community, can make a substantial impact on how likely criminals are to return to the area.
“If you go to a fishing hole and keep catching fish, you’re going to go back,” commented Sgt. McCarthy, “But if criminals come to Lino Lakes and there’s nothing to steal they won’t come back.”
Sergeant McCarthy says that one of the major ways the police department is able to catch criminals after their crime is committed is through traffic stops. Not only do the officers come into contact with more people, but it also increases police presence in the area.
Besides thefts from vehicles, the police department also sees a lot of thefts from open garages. Open garage doors are an invitation to theft. By closing garage doors and doors inside the garage to the house citizens can protect their homes.
“Close your doors when you’re not home, when you are at home pay attention to who is in your neighborhood, and know your neighbors,” said Sgt. McCarthy.
If you do become the victim of a crime, no matter how small that crime is, the police do want to hear about it. They encourage residents to report everything.
Learn more about:
Neighborhood Crime Watch
Business Crime Watch
Crime Prevention in Lino Lakes
