Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1919-12-10
DNESDAY, DECEMBER 10, l9
Protection Against Burglars.

For quite awhile TINS community hhs
hean suffering from the ravages of bold
And skillful burglars. Most of the rob-
berries have been perpetrated in the quiet
hours of the night, but some have been
daring daylight operations. In several
instances the thieves made good hauis OF
iewclry and other valuable goods.
These robberics have become great
asgravation. They defy the police, es-
pecia " the night affairs, by reason OF the
fact that our city is impcrfectly polced
at present. The force, none too large at the
limit, is dep p.eted seriously by vacancies,
for which there are few applicants. Thus
curtalmcnt in man power adds to the
work and a'so 10 the difficulties of the
men on duty. The burglars are wei
aware Of this condition, and take due
advantage Of it's opportunities
1t is. therefore, all the more incumbent
upon housch0lders To adopt every possible
precaution against burglaries. They
should be careful about making their prem
iscs secure st nights, to the best Of their
convenicncos Bars and bolts will not
keep out skilled burglars, but they will
add to the difficulties Of forcing an en-
trance. and to the probability of causing
noise enough in the operation to arouse
some Of the slcepers. In that event
prompt and noisy alarm VIII cause the
intruders to beat precpitate retreat.
Aso it might be advisable for those
whose premises are likely 70 DC teInpta-
ton to burglars to keep good pisto IN
handy pace, but, OF course, exercise proper
precautIon against permitting it TO become
the cause Of serious accident. The pistol,
if kept, should be for burglars only, and
be used. az accurately and effectively as
possible. only when householder finds
burglar on his premises, or detects one
endcavoring to make forcibe e, unlawful
entrance. And when he learns he has good
cause for shooting, let him shoot.
One burglar shot down while engaged
in his dastardIy work would prove great
er deterrent TO other burglars than arrest
followed by the most vigorous prosecution
and the severest penalty provided by law.
And no householder should have the
slightest compunction about shooting at q
burglar. 4 burglar IS worse than wild
beast. and deserves no more consideration
when caught IN his vile depredations.
The shooting Of burglar in the com
mission Of crime, wounding him to such
SD extent that ne would be crippled,
would render him an easy prey for the
officers on their arrival Then he would
have the punishment Of his wound, fol-
lowed in due time by punishment st the
hands of the law
We know tins advice sounds cold-blood-
e., but no householders need fear TO give
heed to it from any feeling Of personal
repugnance. The act OF shooting should
be under the impulse OF feelings that
would actuate man in shooting rabid |
dog. The burglar IS worse than 3 mad |
dog.
But, above all other things, the man
who provides himself with weapon to be /
kept at his home for defence against /
burglars should not shoot unless he is
absolutely certain he is shooting at a I
burglar. Firearms are dangerous, almost I
Of themselves. and are especially danger |
Gus in the hands Of excitable persons dur
ing periods Of excessive emotion. A cool /
head should ever direct the firing arm.
Then tile danger Of doing harm would be I
reduced - the minimum.
Bu; shoot at the burglar, if you can,
when YOU eaten him IN your house and |
know he Is 8 burglar, or detect him in the
zWiess act 81 forcing an entrance.