DEAR EDITOR:
We are the prey.
Since my robbery and my letter to the editor, people have been coming up to me everywhere about their recent robberies. Service people, public offices, store clerks, neighbors, SCOPE center, gym and a couple of relatives. One or two reports on the news every day doesn't seem like much - put together it's a local nightmare.
People tell me about how these unstable junkies, or regular thieves, get in through their kids' windows, or take crowbars to their doors to get in. The stories are endless. Now people are at home some of the time when they are robbed - the thieves are getting bolder and don't care. Also, remember some of the murders are caused by drug deals gone bad.
Remember your home is your castle and you have a right to protect yourself and your family. We must be making being a thief easy.
Look for people you aren't used to seeing around your area. Tell someone. That seems to be very effective. Neighborhood watch.
Don't put new TV, etc., boxes on the curb.
Don't let anyone you don't know in your house without seeing the service truck and ID.
Don't put your personal stuff like your purse where someone can see it through the door. And not in the same place.
Don't forget to put the bar across the bottom of your sliding glass door.
Get an alarm system.
The City of Warren has a Citizens Police Academy and if people are so inclined, they can submit an application at the Warren Police Department.
These are just some of the ideas people have told me about. We are the first line of defense.
Genevieve Bauman
Warren