Home Burglary Prevention Tips

Spring is here and more people are out and about. Unfortunately, so are burglars. Burglary is unlawful entry of a structure to commit a theft or other felony. Police Department shares these tips to help prevent home burglary.

The following tips are intended to assist home residents and visitors in deterring and preventing common types of crime. For additional crime prevention information, contact your Neighborhood Resource Officers.

1. Do what you can to make your home less inviting to thieves. If it looks difficult to enter, is difficult to enter, and is well-maintained, chances are they will try somewhere else.

2. Place sufficient lighting in the front/back of your home and garage.

3. Fortify your windows and sliding glass doors with secondary locks or dowels that fit securely in windows. Dowels can be made of wood, PVC pipe or metal. Secure your garage doors with a padlock or a sliding/cane bolt. Lock the door that leads into the house from the garage.

4. Get to know your neighbors. You are more apt to look out for each other's homes and property if you know each other.

5. Trim all landscaping below windows to avoid concealment areas.

6. Make sure your address is visible from the street so emergency personnel can quickly respond.

7. Don't let mail or newspapers pile up. It is a telltale sign that you are gone. Arrange for a friend or neighbor to collect these items in your absence. Or schedule a mail hold online at USPS to hold your mail up to 30 days.

8. Get a dog. Dogs are a good deterrent to burglars.

Fighting crime is not just a job for the police. Everyone can join the battle through Crime Stoppers. The citizen-support program allows people to tell about criminal activity without getting directly involved. Anyone with information on a felony crime can call Crime Stoppers and give the tip to police without giving his/her name. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are paid for information leading to the arrest.

Crime Stoppers USA is the national Crime Stoppers organization that spans the United States to create a network of local programs that work together to prevent and solve crimes in communities and schools across the nation. Contact them HERE.