Think Before You Leave Or Even If You Stay

Each year we try to join with our friends at the Marco Island Police Department and advise residents of our sleepy little island to be very proactive in helping our officers prevent spikes in petty crime around the island. These spikes are sometimes unusual because with the exception of a couple of bicycles or an occasional pocketbook taken now and again, it is unusual to hear of any such disruption to our normally tranquil existence here on the island.

Because of this laid-back lifestyle, it is apparent that culprits who do on occasion take advantage of some of our residents, we do on occasion have an accomplice living amongst us; it’s our residents themselves, and if you think about it, “complacency” is that accomplice that someone looking to do mischief is all they need to rip you off.

Just drive down the street and look inside any garage door left open during the day. There you will see expensive tools, recreational items, your vehicles, and other valuables which will soon be gone if you fail to secure your home properly.

Failure to lock your vehicle and leaving your valuables clearly visible on the seat of an unlocked car when out and about is another invitation for a loss and just not smart. 

A good friend of mine used to give me heck every time I’d leave the garage door open; she always left her purse in the car, and I was always leaving the garage door open. She was right, and I was wrong, but she eventually trained me appropriately.

The breeze that would blow through the house was great during the fall and early spring, but I advised her to lock the front screen door as a precaution, but then figured out it might be smart to start locking the screen doors on the lanai, just as an added safeguard.

The simple addition of lanai door security is also a great idea. Old-style lanai doors are extremely easy to overcome their simplistic locking mechanisms and that can be easily fixed.

Now, if someone wants to break into your house or your car and you’re not around they probably can do it quite easily, but why assist them and instead take some simple precautions?

What about your boat? Do you leave valuable electronics onboard which are easily removed? Do you leave your keys in the boat or expensive fishing gear exposed? If so, why? Before you leave for the season, I hope you take the precaution to remove those items. I’ve even met good friends who have removed those expensive stainless-steel props from their motors.

Other items, such as paddleboards and kayaks, should also be secured and not left vulnerable to theft.

Some savvy owners even take the added precaution of killing the power to their lifts from inside their residence to ensure someone won’t be able to lower a boat into the water and utilize the keys that were foolishly left aboard or hotwire the boat in the middle of the night.

Many individuals who live on Marco own handguns. They might utilize them for hunting or sport shooting. Both are great pursuits, however, with ownership comes responsibility. Are they properly secured? Do you have trigger locks and are they kept in a safe location?

Leaving a handgun in a vehicle is not a smart thing to do. Leaving it in an unlocked car and unsecured is less than a smart thing to do. DON’T DO IT!!! A rather high percentage of violent crime perpetrated against innocent victims is done with handguns that are stolen or illicitly obtained by criminals. 

This week’s column isn’t meant to alarm you; it is meant to remind you of the simple things we can all do to protect our homes, valuables and those we love.

Close those garage doors when not working out there, lock your home when not there or when you go to bed. Make sure you secure your boats and the equipment on them. Remove your keys from your car and secure them to ensure no one walks off with your valuables.

The Marco Police Department does a great job, but they need your help too. Be a partner with them and make sure you don’t become complacent regarding your home, vehicles and belongings. Be their eyes on the street and report suspicious activities and vehicles.

Don’t try to save a couple of dollars by hiring unlicensed contractors who may only want to see what you have. Ask for their licenses and copies of insurance to ensure you are dealing with honest and trustworthy individuals.

If you’ll be gone for most of the summer consider hiring a Home Watch Service. What could be saved due to water damage because of leaky pipes or air conditioner leaks could be substantial, and once again hire reputable, licensed and insured companies.

You should be the front line of security for your home, belongings and family. Do what’s right and don’t be complacent. Be proactive and if you see something out of the ordinary, don’t hesitate to call 911.