Some of us have made it through the year without any real problems. Others have had a few hiccups with break and enters, stealing etc. But why do some people seem to have their property stolen more times than others? Yoda believes that it is a sidewards shift in the force. I believe that some people do not believe in the value of security and the theory “if you put it away it will be there when you want it”.

Here are a few examples: A vehicle is left unlocked on the street with a wallet left inside on the centre console, gets nicked; A bicycle is left in the front yard overnight, gets nicked; An unsecured boat in the driveway overnight has the fishing rods, tackle and life jackets nicked; A phone left on a counter for a minute in the local shop, gets nicked; A bag sitting in the shopping trolley while you are stretching up for the cheap can of Champignons gets nicked. In all of these examples, security is minimal and it provides an opportunity for crooks to relieve you of your property quickly and avoid detection.

I don’t believe in statistics and 37.6 per cent of people will tell you that. However, our crime stats would be the best in the universe if people would just read On The Beat and then put the free advice that they have received into practice. Let’s give it a crack and hopefully, if I remember, this time next year I will look at the stats and see if we (police, and community), have come together, reduced crime, as well as the fear of crime in the community, and made it much harder for the crooks. Security of your property is in your hands.

On a completely different topic, if you have a mobile phone there is an app that could save your life. The emergency+ app is a free app developed by Australia’s emergency services and their government and industry partners. The app uses GPS functionality built into smart phones to help a Triple Zero (000) caller provide critical location details required to mobilise emergency services. Get the google going and punch in triplezero.gov.au.

As always, in case of emergency, call Triple Zero (000), in non-emergencies contact the Police Link on 131 444 or your local police station. To provide anonymous information call Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000. For domestic and family violence information visit  www.police.nsw.gov.au or contact Shoalhaven Domestic Violence Officers on 4421 9666 or 4421 9665 or email shoaldvlo@police.nsw.gov.au.

Don’t forget, cops are tops.