Law enforcement representatives remind us especially as the holidays approach that there are steps we can take to make us less likely to become victims of crime.

When they do this they are sometimes accused of blaming the victim for being a victim. After all, don’t we have the right to go through life without constant backwards, sideways and sidelong glances?

Yes, in a perfect world.

This world ain’t perfect. Far from it.

So it makes sense to not assist the criminal who is waiting out there to make us his or her victim.

Among the best defenses against becoming a victim is lighting. Criminals prefer the cover of darkness. Turn your outside lights on at your house when you will be returning after dark, park your car in well-lighted area of shopping center parking lots and park as closely to the entrance as you can.

When you are entering or leaving your vehicle, assume the mentality of a stalked animal. There’s a predator out there looking for a victim. Don’t let him pick you. Look around. Be aware of your surroundings. If you see something that worries you, drive away.

Lock up your stuff. Your car, your house, your storage shed. Last summer many of us had our illusions shattered when a fast-working group of thieves made their way through a residential subdivision helping themselves to bountiful booty they found in one unlocked car after another after another. Expensive lessons were learned. Hopefully they were learned.

Wonder what those thieves would find if they visited the same subdivision tonight?