Protecting yourself against property crime Published Oct. 13, 2006 By Staff Sgt Joshua Woodard 90th Security Forces Squadron F. E. Warren AFB, Wyo. -- Resource protection is everyone's business. Many people believe that since they live and work on base there isn't a need to secure their belongings. This feeling couldn't be farther from the truth. Although we work and live in a secure environment compared to most civilian communities, it is important to remember we are not immune to criminal activity. We must eliminate every opportunity of becoming a victim of property theft. Since January 2006, there have been 39 reported incidents involving theft of personal or government property and services on Warren. The number one contributing factor in most of these crimes was people not securing their property and residences. Make yourself and your belongings a "hard target." There are no guaranteed theft prevention practices; however, you can reduce your risk by simply keeping a close eye on your personal property and never leaving it unattended or unsecure. Also, ensure that all your doors, windows and garage doors are locked when you are sleeping or not at home. The holiday season is just around the corner. To protect yourself and your property, inform your neighbors of how long you are expected to be away and if you have a house sitter. Have a friend or neighbor pick up your mail and packages, and make arrangements to have your lawn mowed and leaves raked. It is also a good idea to simulate a "lived in" appearance by using timers to run lights and a radio during your absence. All residents in base housing must arrange for security prudent care and periodic inspections for all absences more than three days. You can fulfill this responsibility by reporting to the housing office at Building 306 and filling a form informing the housing office where you can be reached in case of an emergency and providing contact information of the person responsible for your home in your absence. One of the most effective ways of protecting your property is marking it with an identifying number as a means of discouraging burglary and theft. It also provides security forces with a way to positively identify property that is stolen and recovered. Mark your valuables with your drivers license number so your property can be easily traced and identified as yours. However, do not use your drivers license number if it is your Social Security number. Engrave the numbers in a location that is easily seen and one that cannot be easily seen. Photograph or videotape items and keep the photos and tape in a fireproof safe or safety deposit box. Jewelry should be photographed with an ID card and ruler next to it to show ownership and size. After marking your property, make a list of the make, model, color and serial number, and keep the list in a safe place. The safety and security of your property is entirely in your hands. Practice these prevention tools and you will drastically increase your ability in protecting your property. Report any suspicious activity to the law enforcement desk at 773-3501.