Down economy = more crime = home security needs

By MIKE McKIBBIN
Citizen Telegram
Rifle, Colorado
384-9170, mmckibbin@citizentelegram.com


RIFLE, COLO. - Two burglaries of Rifle homes that involved the theft of firearms on the same day are under investigation for a possible connection.

And Police Chief Daryl Meisner hopes it doesn’t indicate the start of an upsurge in such crimes due to the downturn in the local and national economy.

Home and business owners may want to take a look at adding a security system, if they are concerned they could be the victims of similar crimes.

The depressed economy hasn’t led to a noticeable increase in business for Acme Alarm Co. of Rifle, said project coordinator George Mead.

“We are seeing more thefts, so I’m sure business will go up when more people get serious,” he added.

Acme provides security systems and closed-circuit TV for homes and businesses, Mead said. Some of their systems have caught thieves and vandals on tape, he said.

Meisner said the burglaries and theft incidents occurred on Monday, Feb. 9, one in the 1500 block of Railroad Avenue and the other in the 600 block of Ute Avenue. A number of firearms were stolen from each home and a van was also stolen from the Ute Avenue home, he said. The van was recovered in West Glenwood Springs the next day, but the firearms were not inside it, Meisner added.

“We sure don’t want to see this type of behavior continue, so we hope we can catch whoever did this,” he said.

Anyone with information can remain anonymous and receive a monetary reward if an arrest and conviction results from the information by calling Crimestoppers of Garfield County, 328-7007 or 1-800-972-8477.

Mead said some wireless systems start at less than $1,000, depending on the number of windows, doors and lights included.

Acme Alarm will look at a home or business access, dark areas and other factors to determine what type of system to recommend.

“Number one is to keep things lit,” Mead said. “If you have light, they can’t hide or break in without a chance of someone seeing them.”

Many storage units are not well lit, so are often targeted for break-ins and thefts, Mead added.

When a system is installed, Mead said it’s a good idea to have it tied in to a phone system “So if you’re not home, the police will still be called.”

Some systems cost just $25-$30 a month, Mead added. Smoke detectors are often installed with the systems, too.

“When you think that one computer system or big-screen TV could be stolen, that more than pays for a pretty inexpensive alarm system,” he said.

Some insurance companies give “a pretty good break” on home insurance rates if security systems are installed, Mead noted.

Natural gas companies that now don’t have the same number of contracted employees can benefit from things liked closed-circuit TV, Mead said.

“They have big lots out there, so it’s a good idea to have some cameras” to help prevent vandalism and theft, he added.

Along with adding a security system, Meisner said the best advice is to make sure doors are locked and keys are not left in automobiles.

“I think each of us has to consider what you can afford to lose,” Meisner said. “Then take a look at what you can afford as far as security.”

While Meisner said Rifle is not “under siege” by criminals, “a little prevention goes a long way.”