USE COMMON SENSE ABOUT PERSONAL SAFETY

The recent shooting of a cemetery caretaker and the subsequent arrests of four people left a lot of area residents shaking their head. Many of them wondered about their own safety. Many of them recalled the residential burglaries of several months ago that put so many elderly folks on edge.

There are lessons to be learned, even when bad things happen. One is to be aware that would-be criminals are often lured by the prospects of an easy target. People who are alone much of the time tend to become the prey more often that those who are with someone else or in a group.

Also, anyone who carries a lot of cash too often is spotted when making purchases in relatively safe surroundings. Criminals tend to watch for anyone they think would be easy to gang up on. And if the criminals think that person carries a lot of money, there is an increased likelihood of another crime.

Be wary. Not everyone around us is a criminal, but there are enough people who would resort to crime under the right circumstances that it is much safer to be cautious.

Consider the risks of being in certain places at certain times of the day. Give some thought to keeping large amounts of cash or other valuables where criminals could get to them easily.

The best defense in today's world is to use common sense about our own well-being.