If someone wants to rob they will find a way no matter what.

My own view is that more locks, and more lighting is a waste of time. The incident was opportunistic in its execution in my opinion.   As I mentioned, in 30 years robbery is the first incident of its type in my experience.

Just because someone can do it doesn’t mean rolling out the red carpet to make it easier for them. Simple common sense and personal accountability as well as an awareness and respect for those around us is all that is required.

Keep doors and windows locked at all times

• even when out shopping or getting milk / bread

Keep blinds semi-closed or angled down

• there is ample evidence of people living in this block peering univited through windows and open doors to have a goold old look around what’s inside the home. Merely by standing on the front door step enjoying a cuppa, or strolling innocently past for a micro-inspection of your lounge room contents
• if your neighbours do it, you can bet thieves will be doing it.

Awareness of unknown people entering property | i.e. tradies, gas meter readers, couriers

Sale of property

• during sale process of Unit 4 and Unit 8, rental process of Unit 8 a great many people were naturally entering the property block to inspect the properties offered for sale / rent at appointed inspection times
• However, there were also a great number of people walking up and down the the property block not inspecting the properties offered for sale / rent, just a general ‘sticky-beak’

opportunity invites crime

• police report that it’s not uncommon for thieves to let themselves in to properties that have open doors and windows even though the resident is home located in another room or in the backyard
• thieves often quickly rifle through kitchen benches and drawers looking for car keys that only have to be inside the vehicle for it to start

couriers

• Our block has an usually high amount of foot / car traffic from couriers delivering to the back of the block
• how do you know a courier won’t be chatting innocently in public about what he saw of an open, unlocked property that he passed on his way to deliver his items? Why take the chance. Why would you even want strangers looking inside your homes sussing it out anyway

Keep doors and windows locked at all times

• even when out shopping or getting milk / bread

Keep blinds closed at all times

• why turn your home into a car showroom at night?
• close your blinds and stop advertising your home and contents
• when your lights are on, you can’t see outside to know who is standing on the driveway looking in – why risk your own safety like that
• there is ample evidence of people living in this block peering univited through windows and open doors to have a goold old look around what’s inside the home.

Blackburn has a very active neighbourhood watch community – it’s worth reviewing their material to get up to speed on crime trends in the area. Leader Newspapers is also active about reporting crime incidents.

There’s no such thing as ‘minor’ robbery incidents. They cause more than a hassle of your time – help contribute to safety and please think of the other residents too.