YOUR HOME
- Reset automatic light timers this weekend! A dark house is an unoccupied house. A house with no light on at dinner time tells burglars that you are not at home.
- Keep shrubbery trimmed. Thick, tall shrubbery provides cover for a burglar to work undetected.
- Never leave a house key in such obvious places as a mailbox or under a doormat.
- Make sure the exterior of your house is well-lit. Exterior lights are important -- especially near doors or in the rear of the house, where burglars do most of their work.
- Close and lock your windows. Most burglars won't attempt to break a secured window for fear of attracting attention.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked. This helps prevent access to the house and protects property stored in the garage.
- Secure any sliding doors. Make sure the lock is in working order. A steel rod in the door channel is helpful. For additional security, install two or three screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of the door being lifted out of the track.
ALARM SYSTEMS
- If you have an alarm system, put up signs that say you do. Do not use signs that hint at what type of equipment you system uses. Have your alarm serviced by a reputable technician.
- USE YOUR ALARM
BE CAUTIOUS
- Never open the door before you identify who is on the other side. Utility workers and Government employees will always be glad to present identification; in fact most of them will already be displaying it. Call 911 if you are unsure. Legitimate workers will wait for Police to arrive
- Have a wide-angle door viewer (peephole) installed, so that you know who it is at the door before you open.
- Be wary of "wrong" numbers and teach children what to say to strangers on the phone.
- Be careful with your keys. Put your house and car keys on separate key rings, and don't put identification tags on keys.
PROTECT YOUR VALUABLES
- Do not leave all your valuables in your bedroom. Burglars always check bedrooms first
- Make an itemized list of everything you own. Include brand name, model number, serial number, where and when purchased, and the items' purchase price or estimated value. Attach receipts if you have them. Take photographs or videotape everything, and keep them in a safe place.
WHEN YOU GO AWAY
- Ask a trusted neighbor to pick up all mail, newspapers and deliveries daily. Do not allow these items to accumulate. Ask this same neighbor to park in your driveway while you are gone.
- Don’t let empty garbage pails to sit curbside after trash collection days.
- Don't publicize your vacation ahead of time. Many burglars read local papers for accounts of vacationers.
- Offer to help a neighbor with any of the above. Be a good neighbor. Watch out for each other.
REPORT SUSPICIOUS CIRCUMSTANCES
- Notify the Police of any unusual or suspicious circumstances. USE 911. Residents and Police are partners in solving these crimes; we welcome the information provided by the communities we serve.
- Write down plate numbers and descriptions of vehicles. Make note of distinguishing features of vehicle (body damage, mismatched paint, lettering, vanity plates, out of state plates, roof racks, tinted windows, items hanging from rear view mirror, stickers on car, etc…)
- Remember clothing descriptions of individuals