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Every citizen can have a hand in helping fight crime This week's article is an interactive one, geared towards the whole family. If you have children, or are of an artistic nature, make a small cowboy hat out of crate paper and stick it on my picture. Now picture a clock chiming at high noon, and I'm standing in the street alone, waiting for the shadowy character down the street to make his move. Sound like an old western? Well, what if I told you that my shadowy adversary is a metaphorical representation of someone's criminal intent, and that they are just waiting for the opportunity to commit a crime? Crime-fighting has come a long way since the days of the western shootout, but there are still some concepts used today. For a crime to occur you need to have three things in place: a criminal's desire, a victim and an opportunity. Back in the day, the sheriff of Georgetown (this is a story, not a researched fact) would increase his/her odds by deputizing community-minded persons when times were tough. Today as you are chuckling at my pasted-on cowboy hat, I am deputizing you, and giving you the duty to be a reallife crime-fighter, like me! Are you up to the challenge? As my deputy, I want you to fight crime Const. Chris Borak before it occurs by working on reducing the OPPORTUNITIES for crime to occur. Here's how: Don't keep your life's savings, Picasso collection, or lucky gold bar in your home. Lock valuables in a safe that is secured to the floor, or better yet, look into using a safety deposit box. Lock all your doors and windows. Park your car in the garage. Lock your car. Try not to leave your car unlocked and warming up in your driveway. If you have a house or car alarm, use it. Motion lights are a wonderful tool to make a criminal think twice. So are neighbours who are willing to look out for your best interests. Call 905-878-5511 to report suspicious persons or vehicles. Once we can all work together on reducing the opportunity for crime to occur our community will benefit. Keep my hat for next week when I will provide you with other crime-fighting opportunities to look out for. Contact me personally for crime prevention tips at 905-878-5511 extension 2470, or by e-mailing chris.borak@hrps.on.ca. Please reserve the 911 system for emergency calls only. --Const. Chris Borak is the community support officer for District 1