Sunday night the community saw an accused homicide in Mattoon, specifically at the Burger King restaurant.

Central Illinois saw a hostage situation in Arcola a few weeks ago.

The nation saw it as well, as it was broadcast on CNN, FoxNews, and the like.

This is in an area that has been considered ‘safe’ by a large majority of the community. The police were just a phone call away and could even be found on the street corner.

It is not uncommon for members in the community, or neighboring communities at that, to leave doors unlocked. Many people do not consider locking their cars when out and about during the day or evening.

Trust has simply been placed in the hands of our neighbors.

These situations show that no community exists that is exempt from crime. Even in small-town America, crimes can and are committed.

Neither of these situations were preventable. Instinct may be the only and best bet to avoid a potential hostage situation. A murder is not something that a person brings upon oneself.

Realistically, crimes are not ‘brought upon’ anyone.

Several crimes yield the possibility of prevention – some only a slight amount of prevention can be done, but that can be just enough.

Theft is a large problem in most communities. Many studies have shown that someone wanting to commit theft looks for opportunity. Upon the realization that something as simple as a door is locked, the criminal gives up.

If the door is locked, the criminal must then draw attention to the situation. He/she must take the effort to break in. Opportunity is easily given to those in close proximity to the crime to contact the police.

That is not to say that all wannabe criminals give up. Some people specialize in breaking locks.

This can also be said of some rapes. All women, and men for that matter, can take simple precautions every time they are out having fun.

Some of these solutions seem obvious, yet many times a rape is reported it could have helped out in some way, shape or form:

Do not walk alone. This is only made worse if walking at night. Studies show those looking for an object of affection are put off by groups. The rapist must go through multiple people to get what they want.

Always watch your drink. It only seems kind to take a drink from a stranger when in a bar or at a party. Just make sure to see where that drink was poured or who made it. Without seeing that, something could have easily made it into the drink that shouldn’t be there.

Rapes still occur, even when these precautions are followed. This is only meant to help avoid the problem.

In small-town America, it is easy to trust everyone around us. In towns like Charleston, neighbors are willing to do anything for the community.

It is easy to forget that not everyone in the community is the same way. It is time to prepare for that very fact. Not all crimes can be prepared for. If simple changes are made, a real difference can be made.