Thefts Rise as Temps Fall

December 20, 2017

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While the onset of winter has resulted in the retreat from the lakes and rivers for most, it presents the perfect opportunity for the criminal element to come to our waters to take advantage of others. The cold nights on the lakes deter most from venturing out on the water, but it presents the perfect opportunity for the bad guys to steal from others using the cover of darkness, undetected on the empty waters of our lakes and rivers. Even those that live in the relative security of a gated community are vulnerable to being victimized from the lake, since there are no gates on the water. This was the case in a recent burglary that occurred in the area of Drowning Creek where the victim lost thousands of dollars of property to thieves who entered the property from the lake by boat.

Thieves don't hibernate, but they expect you to. Just because the fun-filled activities at the lakes and rivers have subsided, you should still make regular visits to your lake or river property to maintain security and keep that "lived in" look. All too often we hear from crime victims only after they return to the lake in the Spring, discovering crimes weeks, even months after they occur. There will be little chance of solving these cold cases. For this reason, we encourage everyone to take the steps necessary to reduce your risk of becoming the next victim.

Remove valuables. Don't leave anything on your dock or boat you are not willing to replace. Once you are ready to winterize, remove electronics, fishing gear, and other valuables so there is nothing for thieves to take.

Fool them. Put your lights, TV and stereo in your house and dock on timers to make them wonder if you are still home. Thieves love dark homes, because they know there is minimal risk. Any sign of life on your property will likely deter them to move on to a location of less risk.

Lock it up. Secure your property by using deadbolt locks secured with fasteners deep into the door frames as well as heavy duty, theft proof locks. No lock is fool-proof, but you can make it so difficult for them they will move on to an easier target. Any lock that can be easily defeated with a simple tool such as a crowbar is not a deterrent to those that want your property.

Light it up. Detection is the worst enemy to criminals, making the cover of darkness their greatest friend. Keep the lights on at your dock and the exterior lights on at your lake house. Motion lights are an excellent deterrent, as they not only scare away the bad guys, but the activated lights will hopefully draw the attention of your neighbors. Even if you disconnect the power to your dock in the off-season, you can still install solar powered motion sensor lights that will do the job of keeping the crooks at bay.

Watch your neighbors. Get to know your neighbors, exchange contact information and watch each other's property. They can be the best asset to your security. Know when they will or won't be at the lake and try to be there when they aren't, or vice versa. Make sure your mail and papers don't stack up and invite your neighbors to park their cars in your drive while you are gone.

Use technology. Alarms and surveillance cameras are a great asset, are readily available and simple to install. But an alarm is only as good as the installer. Bogus alarms create a sense of apathy in response, so make sure you use a reputable installer. Surveillance cameras can be your best friend when protecting your property and the best evidence police have in determining a timeline and suspect. We have actually had incidents where a property owner called police when they saw a subject on the surveillance camera on their smart phone from hundreds of miles away, and we were able to make an apprehension. It can be worth the expense, so consider it.

Report suspicious activity. If you see activity on the lake that you think is suspicious, please call 911. We are serious when we say we would rather respond to find it is nothing, than to notify someone they are another victim of a crime. YOU are the best asset we have in deterring crime, because you are our eyes and ears. If you see a boat on the lake and it simply "does not look right", call us. A boat trolling slowly through the docks in the early morning hours of darkness without navigation lights is a perfect example of what you need to report. Call 911 immediately.

Document your property. The only way we can recover your property if you become a victim, is if you can identify your property. Take some time when you are securing your lake house, boat and dock at the end of the season and photograph your valuables. Include pictures of the model and serial numbers and keep those photos in a "Just In Case" file. This will give police a better chance of locating your belongings through a national database, pawn shops and social media sites. The lack of serial numbers can make it impossible to locate your property afterwards.

Keep your contact information current. Make sure we know how to contact you if we find you have been victimized. Ensure your lake & home addresses as well as phone numbers are current on your boat registration and dock permits. Notify us if any of this information changes by contacting the permit office at Eco. Also make sure your dock number is clearly visible on the front of your dock as required, and your street address is posted on your home. This helps us find you, even when you are not at your lake property.

Regardless of what you do, there is no way to guarantee you won't become the victim of a crime. But there are steps you can take to reduce your risk. The best defense is simply a matter of removing the opportunity and increasing the difficulty so the bad guys will move on to somewhere else. In spite of the reduced activity at our lakes and rivers, GRDA Police will continue to provide proactive measures and preventative patrols as a deterrent to reduce the amount of losses suffered in our service area.

Don't Drive Drunk

Did You Know?

The U.S. Coast Guard requires that all children under age 13 wear a personal flotation device while on a recreational vessel. Forty-eight states (including Oklahoma), as well as the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands, have some form of legislation that requires children to wear PFDs.

Alcohol

It's Not Too Late...

We are still collecting coats and winter wear to provide to area children in need.

Please consider giving these items at the listed locations.

Stay Safe

Boating Tips From the GLSPS

Doubling a line can be very helpful when leaving a dock. It allows everyone to be onboard when leaving rather than having a crew member un-cleat the dock line and jump on board. To double the line, attach the loop end of the line to the appropriate cleat on the boat, and then pass it around the dock cleat and back to the boat to tie it off. Make sure there are no knots in the line that could later snag on the cleat. When leaving the dock, gradually release the non-loop end as the boat leaves and then let it go free so the line will slip past the dock cleat. Quickly bring it onboard to avoid it getting caught in the propeller.

Boat Smart from the start and take a course from the United States Power Squadrons, America’s boating club. For more information visit our website at: usps.org/grandlake or on Face Book at GLSPS.

Keepin' It Grand

By the Book

The Administrative Regulations of GRDA describe the organizations, operations, and procedures for the Grand River Dam Authority with respect to its administration, rulemaking, and other activities and are intended to supplement and interpret pertinent provisions of state statutes.

The following information are excerpts of the GRDA Administrative Regulations Title 300 Chapter 35 that are provided in an effort to educate the public about what regulations are enforced on GRDA waterways and properties. Many of these regulations have changed effective September 11, 2017. All GRDA regulations are available for review at GRDA.com.

300:35-3-14. Permit applications

(a) Applications for GRDA permits required by these Rules are available at the permitting office inside the GRDA Ecosystems & Education Center located at the west end of Pensacola Dam in Langley, Oklahoma or visit the website at www.GRDA.com.

(b) In addition to any other requirement that may be applicable to a permit application, GRDA may, in its sole discretion, forward any application to fish and wildlife resource agencies, environmental agencies, and/or tribes for comment.

(1) Private and commercial docks, wharves, landings, anchorages, and boat houses;

(2) Buoys;

(3) Private and commercial breakwaters;

(4) Private and commercial rail-systems and tram systems;

(5) Boat ramps;

(6) Retaining walls;

(7) Dredging (and excavation);

(8) Erosion control devices;

(9) Shoreline stabilization;

(10) Commercial operations (including, but not limited to, a dock installer, dredging contractor, commercial boat operator, vessel rentals, or Water Jet Pack Unit rentals);

(11) Taking of raw water;

(12) Vegetation management plans; and

(13) Sanctioned event.

(d) Permit applications are subject to change without notice. Permitted activities must comply with all standards, rules and regulations in effect at the time the activity commences.

300:35-3-15. Penalty

After notice and an opportunity to be heard in accordance with Subchapter 21 herein, any person, firm, partnership, corporation or other entity which violates any Rule in this Chapter (i.e. Chapter 35 Lake Rules), shall be required to pay all costs (including attorneys fees, GRDA staff time, and mitigation) related to the violation including the repair, restoration and reclamation of GRDA lands and waters. Other penalties may include, but are not limited to, suspension or revocation of a permit; and any other fee, penalty or fine as authorized by statute. Also, GRDA may seek an injunction to prevent any violation or unauthorized activity.