LOCKDOWN: property invite theft Published Sept. 2, 2011 By Micah Garbarino Tinker Public Affairs TINKER AIR FORCE BASE, Okla. -- A young Airman scrimped and saved, skipped lunches-out and pinched pennies until he could afford the gaming laptop of his dreams. He'd wanted one for years. Now that he had a steady paycheck, with a little saving, he could finally afford one. Imagine the sick feeling in the pit of his stomach when he returned to his dorm room after a hard day in the maintenance dock to find he'd been robbed. The laptop was missing. While the situation above is an illustration, it's not one that's hard to imagine for 72nd Security Forces Squadron criminal investigator Jennifer Pounds, a 12-year law enforcement veteran. There have been nearly 20 reported property thefts on Tinker in 2011, which may not seem like many for an installation of 28,000 military, civilian and contract employees, but it's more than normal and a number that no one wants to see increase, Investigator Pounds said. The fitness centers, dorms and parking areas are where most thefts occur. Wallets, cellphones, CDs, MP3 players are common targets. "I've been victimized before," Investigator Pounds said. "I had my car broken into off base. It was a terrible feeling having my security and privacy violated. Sometimes there is nothing you can do to prevent it." But, many of the thefts on Tinker are items left unsecured or unattended, which is easily prevented. Security Forces want people to be aware and safeguard their property, said Rodney Cochran, 72nd Security Forces criminal investigator. "Most of these thieves aren't criminal masterminds. They're looking for targets of opportunity - a dorm room left unlocked, a window rolled down with a wallet on the seat, a gym locker with no padlock," said Investigator Pounds. A recent spike in property theft in the dormitories has grabbed the investigators' attention. Most of these thefts involve high-dollar electronics. As technology makes gadgets smaller and smaller, they also become easier to steal. Portable and easily pawned, gaming consoles, computers, tablets and cell phones are favorite targets for thieves. "Our Airmen should lock things up. Sometimes they may lose their dorm keys and not want to pay for new ones. What's more expensive, a new room key or a new XBOX?" Investigator Pounds said. It's possible that thieves walk around randomly checking for unsecured doors, but Investigator Pounds believes much of the theft at the dorms is committed by people the victims know. They know that certain doors are left unlocked with valuables that are left unattended and unsecured inside. Airmen may have a false sense of security because they live on base with other military members who are supposed to have a high morals and values. But, they shouldn't be naive, Investigator Pounds says, "Just because you trust someone, doesn't mean they're trustworthy." While Security Forces investigate each theft fully, interviewing subjects and checking pawn shops, once an item is stolen there is little to no chance of recovery, Investigator Pounds said. Theft prevention tips Prevent theft: · Secure bikes with solid locks. Inexpensive chains and locks are easy to cut through. · Lock dorm doors, even when at home. Communicate this to your roommate. · Don't be flashy with cash or expensive items. · Leave expensive property out of site in vehicles as well as dorm rooms. · Keep credit information and vital records like Social Security cards in a safe. Mitigate loss: · Engrave your name and phone number into electronics, computers, gaming consoles, etc. · Install security plates that make items difficult to pawn and easy to track. · Take photos of expensive items. Keep receipts and record serial numbers. · Immediately report lost or stolen credit cards, bank cards and cellphones to appropriate providers. · Don't keep your vehicle title in the vehicle. Any thefts on Tinker should be reported immediately to the 72nd Security Forces Squadron Law Enforcement Desk 734-3737 or Police Services at 734-4433.