Burglaries

We have recently had an increase in residential burglaries.  There are a number of things that citizens can do to help prevent this type of crime. 

What can you as a citizen do:

At Home:

• Lighting
  • Consider motion lighting around your house and garage.
  • Areas will light up as people approach.This will draw attention to a potential intruder.
  • Good lighting will allow neighbors and patrolling police officers to see your property and report/investigate any suspicious activity.

• Check your locks
  • Deadbolts should extend at least an inch into the door frame.
  • All exterior doors should have deadbolts, including entry doors into a garage.
  • Windows should be closed and locked at night and when no one is at home.Consider locking when people are home as well.
  • Lock your vehicles and any sheds/outbuildings you have.
• Landscaping
  • Do not let shrubs and trees get overgrown.
  • Shrubs should be no higher than 3 feet and the canopies of trees should be trimmed up to at least 7 feet.
  • This will allow for open sight lines to and from a business/residence.
  • This will also prevent hiding spots close to your property.
  • Overgrown vegetation can also obstruct lighting.
• While you are away……
  • Have a neighbor collect mail and newspapers.
  • Consider putting interior lights on a timer.
  • Be careful how you communicate online about your vacation.
    • Be aware of who can follow your social media accounts and don’t advertise your absence from home.

 Constructions Sites

• Mark company tools and maintain an inventory.
• Lock and properly utilize storage areas each night.Use heavy duty locks.
• Consider parking a piece of heavy equipment in front of storage doors.
• Security fencing should be considered for long term sites.
• Make sure the site is well lit and easily observable by other citizens in the area.
• Construction trailers should be locked with disc locks.These are harder to cut.
• Trailers should be placed in a well-lit area.

 Storage Facilities

• There should be controlled entry into the area.
• Fencing around the facility should be see through so that suspicious activity is easily observable.
• Units should be secured with disc locks.
• The entire facility needs to be well lit.
• There should be no access from one unit to the next.

 What can the Police Do (Aside from Patrol and Prevention)

• We offer education on burglary prevention.
• Trained officers can come to your residence or business to conduct a crime prevention review.
  • This is free of charge
  • We can work with you to set up a time that works best.
  • We can assess everything from locks to landscaping on your property