If you have a home or business without security cameras, you are asking for trouble. If you are ever robbed have any criminal action that needs prosecution, then you will have nothing to give to the police. Just today this story came out about a theater patron that was robbed at a theater without security cameras.
Michelle Hawkins wanted to enjoy a quiet night with her family at the movies, but she wound up in a crime drama.
The 41-year-old Victoria mother recently walked out of Cinemark, located behind Victoria Mall, to find her vehicle burglarized.
"We were shocked to see that someone busted out the driver's side
window and ripped out all electronics from the dash and under the
seats," Hawkins said. "Another person parked behind us also had their
window busted and things stolen."
What frustrates Hawkins, she said, is she took every precaution to
protect her property. She parked in front of the movie theater, beneath
a security light, and activated her vehicle security system. None of it
stopped the burglary.
Hawkins then learned the theater lacks security cameras. The cameras
behind the mall only work sporadically, security guards told her, she
said.
Without footage, it's unlikely police will find the criminal who
damaged her vehicle and stole her iPod, speakers, stereo and sound
amplifiers, she fears.
"I thought for sure security cameras picked up the little thieves as
they were so blatantly thrashing about in our vehicle," Hawkins said.
"And where was the hired security when all of this was going on? They
need to be outside patrolling the parking lot."
Cinemark leases its parking lot from Victoria Mall. On weekends, the
theater employs a police officer, who splits time patrolling inside and
out. Victoria Mall security is also tasked with patrolling the
theater's parking lot, but frequent visitors say they're rarely spotted
at Cinemark.
Shopping malls and movie theaters are targets for criminals.
Moviegoers leave their vehicles for up to two hours, and so do many
mall shoppers. While Hawkins agrees responsibility for personal
property ultimately rests with residents, she wants better assurance
from the businesses that draw large crowds to the North Navarro Street
complex.
"Simple logic and math tells us that the bigger the parking lot, the
more potential victim vehicles there will be," said Victoria Police
Detective Thomas Eisman. "During the holidays, burglars seem to focus
on shopping centers, but there is always the potential for car
burglaries anywhere your car is parked, even in front of your own home."
Telephone calls Tuesday to Victoria Mall were unreturned. Local
Cinemark managers said they can't comment. Calls to the theater's
corporate officer were also unreturned.
Police, security cameras and guards can't be everywhere at all
times. Even the best efforts won't stop criminals 100 percent of the
time.
Victoria Mall and Cinemark, though, must do more to ensure the
safety of their customers' property. The complex draws the city's
largest crowds.
Hawkins' story, unfortunately, is just one of a great number of similar break-ins.
To protect yourself against vehicle break-ins, Eisman offers these tips:
Lock your car. The easiest car to break into is the unlocked one. Windows should not be left cracked open.
Take keys and other valuables that make your car a target.
Hide your belongings before leaving for your destination. Hiding
them once you arrive allows criminals to spot where you place them.
Criminals stole hundreds of dollars in goods from Hawkins, but they left with her growing frustration.
"There is obviously a problem, so why isn't security where it needs
to be?" she said. "Now, I am forced to either absorb the cost of the
damage, or file a claim with my insurance and watch my premiums rise
because someone was too lazy to do their job."
Watchdog is a column by Advocate Public Service Editor Gabe Semenza.
It appears every two weeks. Contact him at 361-580-6519 or
gsemenza@vicad.com, or comment on this story at
www.VictoriaAdvocate.com.
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