Davor Tor, head of the Zagreb Police Department's Prevention Unit, reveals small tricks that deter burglars and emphasizes the importance of good neighborly relations during the vacation season.
While many citizens are packing their bags and heading off on summer vacation, the police have a clear message for those staying at home: the best protection against burglars isn't an expensive alarm system, but a good relationship with your neighbor. Along with this advice, the police also share encouraging data on a significant decline in burglaries over the past decade.
According to data reported by Tportal, burglaries in private residential properties across the European Union have fallen by as much as 38 percent over the last ten years. Croatia is following this positive trend with a 33 percent decline. The once so-called 'burglary season' during vacation periods, they note, is no longer as active.
The extent of the improvement is best illustrated by comparing figures from the capital. Davor Tor, head of the Zagreb Police Department's Prevention Unit, told Dnevnik.hr that about ten years ago, Zagreb recorded seven to eight burglaries a day. Today, that number has dropped to just one or two a day.
Despite the positive statistics, caution is never unwarranted. Tor emphasizes that burglars are often deterred by seemingly minor things that create extra effort and risk for them.
The minimum self-protection measure is also to lock multiple doors in our apartment. If something is locked, the perpetrator will actually have to make an effort to unlock it, they'll make noise and lose time. We'll create uncertainty for them, and on the other hand, we show responsibility for our property, Tor explains to Dnevnik.hr.
In addition to locking doors, Tor also mentions using safes for valuables and video surveillance as additional protective measures. However, he places the greatest weight on the human factor. 'The best alarm,' he emphasizes, 'is a neighbor.'
This claim is also confirmed by the practice of many citizens who maintain close relationships in their neighborhoods. It's not uncommon for people to entrust their apartment keys to a neighbor before leaving on a trip. This way, while the owners are away, the neighbor can check on the apartment, make sure everything is in order, and by their very presence, deter potential burglars. For most citizens, it seems, this is the safest way to defend against burglars.
