Burglary Prevention Tips from the WPD – Home and VehicleThe following information is designed to help you fight burglary through a risk management approach. Risk management may be defined as identifying areas of criminal vulnerability, analyzing the resulting potential profit loss and implementing appropriate security measures at a reasonable cost to your residence. An effective burglary prevention program requires your active interest and concern. Consider the following: Lighting: · Properly placed lighting will deter burglars. · Illuminate your entire property from dusk to dawn to eliminate the dark areas intruders and criminals prefer. · Install floodlights for alleyways, rear and front entrances and parking lots. · Lighting should illuminate the roof of your building. · Use lighting fixtures with a photoelectric cell or timer to ensure lighting when needed. · Locate light fixtures at the best height and location to maximize illumination, avoid blind spots and reduce shadows that provide hiding places for burglars. · Install vandal-resistant covers over bulbs and locate fixtures to prevent easy access and to reduce the chance of intentional breakage. · Be sure that lights do not shine into the eyes of people passing on the street, motorists or police officers on patrol. · Inspect your lights regularly. Replace burned-out or broken lights immediately. Doors: · All exterior doors should be constructed of steel or aluminum alloy or solid-core hardwood, with a minimum of 16-gauge steel on side and rear doors. Glass doors should have burglar-resistant glass installed. · Double doors should be secured with heavy-duty, multiple point, long flush bolts. · The frame of the door must be as strong as the door. · Exterior swinging doors should have a one-inch dead bolt with hardened steel insert and a free turning steel or brass tapered-cylinder guard. · Double cylinder locks are recommended where glass is located within 40 inches of the locking mechanism. · All exterior door latches should be of the anti-shim, dead- locking type. · The strike plate should be securely attached to the frame of the door in direct alignment to receive the latch easily. · All outside hinges should have non-removable hinge pins. · Install jamb studs in all exterior doors and security room doors with outside hinge pins. Windows: · Sliding glass windows and single or double-hung sash windows should have locking pins, bolts, locks or swing latches installed to prevent opening from the building's exterior. · Secure all windows. First floor windows should be protected with burglar resistant glass. · Mylar window coverings are inexpensive deterrents. · Skylights, ventilation openings, air conditioning/heating ducts and crawl holes are all potential entry points for burglars. Permanently secure these openings by installing metal grilles or grates. If these openings cannot be permanently secured, be sure they are protected by an alarm system. · Install locks on outside fuse boxes. Tools and equipment: · In addition to their potential for theft, unsecured tools or equipment may be used by a thief to knock down doors, open a safe or gain entry to your security room or cabinets. · Tools and portable equipment should be secured in locked drawers or cabinets at the close of each business day. Large equipment should also be secured. Alarms: There are two basic types of intruder detection alarms, audible and silent. The primary purposes of alarms are to deter an intruder from entering your residence and/or to alert law enforcement of an illegal entry and assist in the rapid apprehension of the suspect. Regardless of the kind of alarm device you choose, be sure the alarm device thoroughly covers the intended area of protection. An alarm system should include these important features: · A battery backup, fail-safe system · A fire-sensing capability. · A testing feature to ensure operational readiness. Protect your Vehicle • Lock your car and pocket the key when you leave – even if just for a minute. Close windows all the way and make sure your trunk is locked. • Control your keys. Never leave an identification tag on your key ring. If your keys are lost or stolen, it could help a thief to locate your car and burglarize your home. • Don’t leave your registration inside your vehicle; carry it with you. Important identification papers or credit cards should never be left in the glove compartment. • If carrying packages or valuable items, store them in your trunk if possible. If you do leave packages, clothing or other articles in the car, make sure they are out of sight. • Park in well-lit, busy areas. Avoid leaving your vehicle in unattended parking lots for long periods of time. If you park in a lot where you must leave a key, leave the ignition key only, to protect items in trunk or glove box. • When buying a car, ask about anti-theft options such as steering column locks, alarms, switches that interrupt the fuel or electronic systems, and locks for tape decks, batteries and gas tanks. Many insurance companies offer reduced rates to owners who install security systems. Suggestions from Residents – • Do not leave your GPS, EZPass, chargers, change, sunglasses, laptop, notebook, purse, package, etc. visible in your car. Do not tempt the burglar. • Locking your car is the key. Click it a second time to be sure. • Keep spare car keys by your night stand and press the ‘lock’ button before going to bed each night. • Keep your spare car key on your night stand in the event of a house break-in or suspicious activity outside and press the ‘panic’ button to force the car horn to blow. This will alert both you and your neighbors that something is going on at your home or nearby.