The National Free Press - World Edition: Free Speech, Free Press and Human Rights

B.C.Cabinet Minister Colin Hansen who is responsible for the 2010 Winter Olympics assured us in July, 2006 there will be no cost overruns for security during the "Mega Event". Adding to his financial assessment was the fact that Athens and Turin, although spent more on security, used their budgets to build new police stations and upgrade equipment. 

He assured us this would not be the case in Vancouver, so the $175 million budgeted for "Security" would be enough. This figure was determined after round table discussions with delegates from future and potential host cities.

The dictionary describes a "predator" as one who victimizes, plunders, or destroys. "Predators" are an unfortunate part of today's society. Driven by a multitude of motives, these dangerous individuals leave a long trail of grief for their victims and their families.

These creeps often take the form of thieves, burglars, vandals and muggers. But there's a different type of predator creating havoc among the young these days. What's disturbing is the young victims often know who's behind these deplorable acts.

You may have caught the news a week ago about a 91year old Burnaby man (Tom) who was beaten and robbed by a home invader. The story ran Thursday and Friday on Global and CTV. Thursday's broadcast reported that Tom heard glass breaking at his kitchen door.

When he went to investigate he saw the intruder reach in through the door's broken window and enter his home. After being assaulted, Tom granted the perpetrator's demand for money. Friday's news showed concerned neighbors displaying their support by dropping flowers and gifts off at Tom's door.

For those of you who have not heard the term, "Lock Bumping", let me explain. This is a lock picking technique for opening pin tumbler locks (used on most North American homes). This procedure is done by altering a key to gain access to many locks of the same type.

"Lock Bumping", has been around for at least 50 years. German and Dutch Locksmiths have been experimenting with this lock opening technique long before the rest of the world even new about it.

It took a fellow by the name of Klaus Noch to expose the dangers of "Lock Bumping" techniques and alerted the German media around 2003. In 2004 The Organization Of Open Lock Pickers (Toool) learned about it and conducted their own research. This resulted in the first English (whitepaper) report being released in 2005.

As we get older we tend to focus on safety and security issues in a more serious light. Knowing we are more vulnerable as the years pass by is a given.

Like home security, you should review your driving habits from time to time. If you are a mature driver it is important to understand the physical and mental changes that sneak up on you over time.

We are becoming more aware of the dangers of the internet these days with articles of online predators hiding behind screen names, posing as imposters controlling their victims as if they were puppets on a string, sucking them into a "Web Of Deception."

Computers are used in the transmission of crime often in three capacities. They may be the target of the offense, the tool used in the offence or they may contain evidence of the offence. Everything from sex predators, e-mail scams, fraud and even burglary. Yes, even burglary enters into the equation with the possibility that burglars could target homes via the internet.