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Want
to make life more difficult for criminals?
By
taking a few simple precautions you can reduce the risk of
becoming a victim
of
a crime and also discourage those who commit crimes.
BE
PREPARED
Always be alert and aware of your
surroundings. Develop a plan.
Avoid
situations which would make you vulnerable to crime (i.e.,
overloading yourself with baggage, parking in dark parking lots).
SAFETY
AT HOME
Use timing devices to turn on outside
and inside lighting, TV's, radios.
Use
a peephole to check the full view outside before opening the door
and always keep the door locked, even if you are only leaving for
a few minutes.
Do
not hide keys outdoors. Change locks if you are moving into a new
apartment or house...you never know who has the keys.
Use
initials rather than your first name in the phone book and on your
mailbox.
Ask
all service company employees for I.D.
Do
not open the door to a stranger requesting help or the use of your
telephone. Offer to make the call yourself.
If
you see someone in your area who looks out of place or is acting
suspiciously, contact the Police Department.
Getting
involved in your neighborhood takes little effort. This is your
opportunity to be instrumental in reducing crime.
PROTECT
YOUR HOME FROM BURGLARY
Deadbolt
your doors.
Door locks that can be easily forced are an open invitation to
burglars. All outside entrance doors should have deadbolt locks in
additions to existing locksets. Dead bolts should have a minimum
1" projection, a tapered and rotating cylinder guard and a
5-pin tumbler lock. It is preferable to have solid core
doors. Strike plates should be securely affixed by using 2
1/2" screws. Hinges that are mounted on the exterior of any
door should be pinned for additional security.
Light
up your home.
Some burglars prefer darkness. The exterior of your home should be
well lighted. Lighting should be utilized in appropriate areas.
Vandal-resistant covers will protect the exterior bulbs from
intentional breakage, and an inexpensive timer or photoelectric
cell will automatically turn off at dawn. You may also
consider using other energy-saving devices such as mercury vapor
lighting for exterior use. Trim shrubs and bushes around doors and
windows so they can't conceal an intruder attempting to force
entry into your home.
Leave
your home looking "lived-in."
A home that looks deserted is an easy target. Whenever you're
going to be gone for an extended period of time, notify your
police department and a couple of neighbors. Then make sure
your home looks lived-in while you are away. Stop deliveries of
mail, newspapers, laundry and the like. Arrange for garden, lawn
and pet care. Leave a key with a friend or neighbor and have them
change the position of the blinds and drapes daily. Put one or
more interior lights on an electric timer. And of course, take
extra care to lock all doors and windows.
Close
and lock your windows.
Unlocked and unsecured windows make it easy for the burglar. But
most won't attempt to break a secured window for fear of
attracting attention. The majority of windows can be secured by
drilling a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the
inside window frame and into the exterior window frame. A nail or
metal dowel can then be placed in the hole to secure the window.
With sliding glass windows (and doors), the main objective is to
keep the window from being lifted up and out of its track. This
can be prevented by installing metal screws in the upper track and
backing them out so there's just enough clearance for the window
to slide. Whatever security locking devices you choose, make sure
they're allowable by local ordinances and that all family members
are trained to operate them.
Mark
and record your valuables.
Unmarked
valuables are easy for a burglar to sell. Permanently mark your
driver's license number on all valuable property with an electric
engraving tool. This assists the police in returning recovered
property to its rightful owner.
Maintain
an up-to-date record of the serial numbers.
Record
the serial numbers of all appliances, tools, radios and TV sets,
firearms and other valuables. Also keep a detailed and accurate
description of all valuables that don't have serial numbers.
Photograph valuables if possible. And be sure to report stolen
items to the police immediately.
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