Burglary Prevention Tips

Burglary is a crime of opportunity. Burglars are attracted to easy targets and will go through neighborhoods looking for newspapers piling in driveways, uncut lawns and stuffed mailboxes. In the evening, they look for darkened houses or lights that have been left on too long. The following burglary prevention tips will help to make you and your family safer - so that we may serve and protect Upper Saddle River – our community together

The burglary basics:

·         Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.

·         Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.

·         Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.

·         Keep your garage door closed and locked.

·         Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.

·         Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

·         Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.

·         Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.

·         Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

·         Other windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.

Don't tempt a thief:

·         Lawn mowers, snow blowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight.

·         Always lock your garden sheds and garages.

·         Use curtains on garage and basement windows.

·         Never leave notes on your door such as "Gone shopping."

Locks…get the best:

·         No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation.

·         Change locks immediately if your keys are lost or stolen.

·         When moving into a new home, have all locks changed.

Targeting the Outside:

·         Have adequate exterior lighting. Lighting can be one of the best crime deterrents.

·         A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.

·         Picket or chain link fencing is recommended to avoid hiding places for burglars.

·         Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.

·         Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.

Windows:

·         Ensure that all windows are kept locked.

·         Most windows can be pinned for security.

·         Drill a 3/16" hole on a slight downward slant through the inside window frame and halfway into the outside frame - place a nail in the hole to secure the window.

Alarms:

·         An alarm system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There is a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.

·         Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.

·         Remember alarms can’t prevent burglary unless they are set. Testing alarms to ensure operability is further recommended.

If Your Home Is Broken Into:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:

·         Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.

·         Use a neighbor's phone to call police.

·         Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.

·         Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.

·         Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

Other precautions you should take:

·         Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.

·         Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.

·         Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.

·         Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call the Police Department immediately.

·         Mark your valuables with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.

·         Consider installing a burglar alarm system.

The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood.

And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes!

Remember the three L's of Crime Prevention: LIGHTS, LOCKS & the LAW!

Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call the Law when you see something suspicious.

The Upper Saddle River Crime Prevention Officer can be reached at wlynch@usrpd.net

Additional Burglary Prevention Tips and brochures can be found at the National Crime Prevention Council www.ncpc.org

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