Police Offer Tips on Home Safety

The South County Precinct of the St. Louis County Police is hosting a free, .

The academy will focus on different departments and aspects of police service and will include a trip to the academy and a graduation ceremony. Each week, Patch will give a summary of the academy and the lessons provided.

For information on how to join the CPA, call the Fourth Precinct at 314-892-1510 or email Southcountyprecinct@stlouisco.com.

Thursday’s academy had an electric opening as the police talked about their use of the taser.

The taser shoots out two darts and can reach up to 21 feet. They produce a nonlethal voltage that will stun a person for five seconds.

Officer Brett Belcher with the South County Precinct said he was stunned by a taser while at the police academy.

“I felt like I was smacked in the back by a two-by-four and every muscle flexed and tensed for five seconds. Five seconds became a long time,” he said. “Injuries to criminals and police have dropped dramatically since the taser.”

Tasers can be found at most sporting goods stores for $300-500, but are also used by the police in less threatening situations.

Tasers, unlike guns, do not require a permit. Some residents are keeping them in their homes for extra security.

And home security was the second topic of the evening as Detective Chad Louis from the Crimes Against Persons Unit talked about burglary.

With more than 1,829 burglary calls in St. Louis County this year so far, keeping your house and valuable safe is an important job, Louis said. 

Louis named five tactics used for home protection:

Deter

Deny

Delay

Detect

Deceive

Light up your home and make sure no valuables are in sight next to windows or doors.

Place locks on all windows and doors in your home.

If someone is trying to break in, make it difficult for them by getting quality locks.

Watch out for your neighbors. You know what looks out of place on your street.

Use autotimers in different rooms at different times. Make sure you stop your mail and newspaper when you’re out of town.

Among these guidelines, Louis said to secure sliding glass doors with a charley bar found at any hardware store.

To protect valuables in the home, Louis said to write down serial numbers and take photos of items for identification.

“Never store anything of value in the master bedroom,” he said. “That’s the first place they look for, and always find things.”

For family heirlooms and expensive jewelry, Louis recommends a safe bolted to a wall or a safety deposit box.

“They can always pick up and take a jewelry box or small safe,” he said.

If a person is home when a burglar strikes, Louis said not to confront them. If a person is inside, he said to stay in a locked room until help arrives.

Only struggle with a burglar if it is the last and only option.

“Your life is more important than anything in your house,” he said.  

The South County Precinct also offers a vacation watch. Louis said any resident can call the station (314-892-1510) and let the police know they will be away, adding an extra safety measure. 

CPA Schedule:

Sept 8: Crimes Against Persons

Sept 15: Neighborhood Watch Picnic

Sept 22: Bomb and Arson Unit and Tactical Operations (SWAT Team)

Sept. 29: Field trip to the Police Academy

Oct 6: Crime Lab

Oct 13: Sex Offender and Crime Scene Units

Oct 20: Graduation