Historical April 1990 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
“I’ve been burglarized!” That’s the opening line on the majority of calls that we receive at Operation SafeStreet. Burglary is the most common of the serious offenses.
It dramatically affects the lives of thousands of people every year in our city alone. Burglary is also one of the most preventable of crimes. Let me remind and explain to you two ways that burglary occurs, and what you minimally can do to reduce your chances of being the next victim.
First, a reminder. Up to thirty percent of burglaries occur through open windows and doors.
If you have locks, you have to USE them. Secondly, an explanation. Operation SafeStreet installs double-cylinder deadbolts, and for a reason. Understand that a double-cylinder deadbolt is a lock that uses a key on both the inside and the outside of the door.
When the “throw” is extended, it cannot be pushed in…the lock is “dead’: Think for a minute how these features can prevent a burglary.
The reasons we use double-cylinder deadbolts are: 1.
They cannot be defeated by slipping something like a credit card in the door jamb and pushing the bolt back; 2.
A burglar may break the glass in or near the door but still cannot unlock the deadbolt from the inside; 3.
If a burglar enters the home through a window, since he cannot open the door from the inside without a key, he will have to exit through a window, limiting what he can easily carry and making himself very conspicuous. You would agree that seeing someone carrying a television out through a window is suspicious and warrants a call to 911, wouldn’t you? Unfortunately, the woman who called Operation SafeStreet this morning had a deadbolt….but left the key on the inside when she left by another door!
We want to reduce your risks and reduce losses.
From now on, please, LOCK IT AND POCKET THE KEY! Operation SafeStreet offers a home security package to every resident of the City of St. Louis. Specifically, Operation SafeStreet will install a double-cylinder deadbolt lock in your front and back door for $30.00 each (installed); position a peep-hole in your front door for $10.00; attach bars on all of your basement windows for $60.00; put a removable basement barricade on a basement door for $24.00; pin all of your wooden first floor windows for $10.00; and place smoke detectors in your home free of charge.
If you are over 62 and retired, over 65 whether retired or not, disabled, or a burglary victim, all of this security is absolutely free! Call us at 622-3444 if we can help you.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April 1990.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Original source: SD_Times1990_04.pdf, printed page(s) 6; PDF page(s) 6.
