'Night Out Against Crime' educates residents

BONNERS FERRY — “Rural communities have their own crime problems — like theft of crops, timber, livestock, and expensive farm equipment. Vandals do more than break mailboxes, they can destroy crops and fields,” according to a pamphlet put out by the National Crime Prevention Council.

This was just one of the many pamphlets available to the public during “A Night Out Against Crime” on Oct. 26, put on by the Boundary County Sheriff’s Office. From 3-7 p.m. the Sheriff’s Office held an open house at the National Guard Armory Building, welcoming the public, providing information, and answering questions.

Boundary County Sheriff Dave Kramer was inspired to host this evening after, “hearing from the community, as well as things that we respond to.”

Kramer’s emphasis is on helping the people in this community to not be victims. “When we get there we realize that this could have been prevented if the people had more knowledge or had taken some steps,” said Kramer about arriving on a crime scene, “like not leaving their vehicle unlocked, or leaving the keys in the vehicle.”

Boundary County Reserve Deputies Steve Ussher and Jim Paulus, part of the Boundary County Sheriff’s Special Support Unit, recently graduated from the Idaho Crime Prevention Academy in Boise. Both come from many years of law enforcement background, but felt that the course had much to offer. They were available to the public, to pass on what they had learned.

“We learned about simple steps to avoid becoming a victim,” said Ussher. “Simple ways to prevent crimes just by taking one step, you take that step out of the equation, and it makes it far less desirable for criminals to either rob you or assault you.”

“Some of the things I have never heard of before,” said Paulus. “One of them is called Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design.”

Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED) is a way of deterring criminal behavior through the use of environmental design, such as the strategic use of shrubbery and other vegetation so that potential burglars cannot hide behind them.

Paulus and Ussher brought back a wealth of knowledge. “Like how to put 3M film on your windows to keep people from breaking in, or how to put three inch screws on your striker plate on your doors to keep people from literally pushing the door open,” explained Paulus.

“Criminals, or any predator, look for the weak and they look for the vulnerable, and if you don’t look like you are an easy mark, then they are going to move onto somebody who is,” said Ussher, highlighting that education is a key factor in not becoming a victim.

“Be alert, not on your phone when you are walking to your car at a grocery store or shopping center,” added Paulus. “Look inside your car before you get into it. Have your keys already in your hand as you step into your car.”

Other topics available to people at A Night Out Against Crime involved the internet, such as identity fraud and how to stay safe when online.

“We also talked about internet safety with your kids, the problems with internet stalking, adult predators for kids, how to keep your kids safe, and how to keep them off certain websites,” said Ussher.

Kramer’s passion for ensuring the safety of the community was evident. “We would rather have people not be victims, then have to go out and try and find the people that did it afterwards,” he explained. “If we can stop it before it happens, then hopefully some of those criminals will move on, or we will get them caught before they get to any more victims.”

The amount of information in the form of pamphlets lined the tables, spilling out of one room into the main area. They included titles such as Protect Yourself From Telephone Fraud, Family Guide to Using the Internet, Raising Streetwise Kids, Internet Crimes, Identity Theft, Procedures in Case of Robbery, From Victim to Survivor, Crime Prevention for People with Disabilities, Disaster Preparedness Checklist, and A Stranger Comes to the Door. There was a section on Halloween safety for kids that included a coloring page.

One young girl and her mother approached Kramer as they were preparing to leave. The young girl held up her coloring page, as well as a few other items that she had chosen from the displays, thanking him, telling him she found some things that she liked.

The company, Bee Safe Security, Inc. had a booth set up in the building, with their iconic van parked behind them, sporting the bee logo. They sell all kinds of devices to help an individual, home, or business increase their safety.

“Everything is geared toward individuals, what they need and what their budget is,” said Misty Marshall. “We have something that fits every budget.”

Among the wide variety of products, they provide camera security systems, state of the art security gates, safes, alarms, hidden rooms, and bomb shelters. The flashlight tasers were a source of amusement, as every time they were activated, the loud sound had people startling. With prices starting at on $35, Marshall said they were a good alternative for people who may not feel comfortable carrying a gun.

Marshall stressed that the businesses main concern was to keep people safe. They don’t keep camera systems in stock, because every situation is different. After a free consultation, the company then researches the chosen system, looking for the best price available for their customer.

Kramer plans to continue the education process, and will hold another Night Out Against Crime in both spring and fall of 2018, expanding it further.

“It’s been great,” said Kramer. “There has been lot of positive comments.”

For more information about Bee Safe Security, Inc.: www.beesafesecurityinc.com