Burglary

Burglary is typically defined as the unlawful entry into almost any structure (not just a home or business) with the intent to commit any crime inside.  Becoming a burglary victim can leave a family feeling vulnerable and violated.  The majority of home and apartment burglaries occur during the daytime when most people are away.

  • No physical breaking and entering is required; the offender may simply trespass through an open door
  • There is usually no victim present during a burglary

Tips for Preventing Home Burglaries:

  • Be a good neighbor
  • Install an alarm system

Doors and Locks:

  • Use a solid core or metal door for all entrance points
  • Use a quality, heavy-duty, deadbolt lock with a one-inch throw bolt
  • Use a quality, heavy-duty, knob-in-lock set with a dead-latch mechanism
  • Use a heavy-duty, four-screw, strike plate with 3-inch screws to penetrate into a wooden door frame
  • Use a wide-angle 160° peephole mounted no higher than 58 inches

Sliding-Glass Patio Doors:

  • Use a secondary blocking device on all sliding glass doors
  • Keep the latch mechanism in good condition and properly adjusted
  • Keep sliding door rollers in good condition and properly adjusted
  • Use anti-lift devices such as through-the-door pins or upper track screws
  • Use highly visible alarm decals, beware of dog decals or block watch decal

Windows:

  • Secure all accessible windows with secondary blocking devices
  • Block accessible windows open no more than 6 inches for ventilation
  • Make sure someone cannot reach through an open window and unlock the door
  • Make sure someone cannot reach inside the window and remove the blocking device
  • Use anti-lift devices to prevent window from being lifted out
  • Use crime prevention or alarm decals on ground accessible windows

 Lighting:

  • Use interior light timers to establish a pattern of occupancy
  • Exterior lighting should allow 100- feet of visibility
  • Use good lighting along the pathway and at your door
  • Use light timers or photo-cells to turn on/off lights automatically
  • Use infra-red motion sensor lights on the rear of single family homes

Operation Identification:

  • Identify your valuables by engraving your drivers’ license number
  • Photograph and record the serial numbers of all valuables
  • Photocopy the contents of your wallet and other documents
  • Store the copies in a safe deposit box or with a relative