Town of Geneva Police Department

Transcription

1 Town of Geneva Police Department This is a community service presentation to help safeguard your home and property. As we approach this holiday season, we felt this would be a good time to review these safety practices. We are fortunate to record a very low number of such crimes.

2 Town of Geneva Police Department Burglary Prevention/Home Security Tips

3 National statistics show that a large percentage of residential burglaries occur during daytime hours when many homes are unoccupied. Statistics also show that burglary activity increases during the Christmas holiday season. To minimize your risk of becoming victimized during this season, please take a moment to view the following home security tips.

4 When do most burglaries occur? Statistics show that over 60 percent of residential burglaries occur during daytime hours when many homes are unoccupied Are most burglary suspects professionals? No, the typical burglar is non-professional, including (but not limited to) school-aged teens engaging in crimes of opportunity while truant or otherwise disengaged from the school system

5 Which homes do burglary offenders target and why? Burglars look for homes with easy access, such as: Open ground floor windows Open overhead garage doors and service doors

6 Which homes do burglary offenders target and why? Uncollected mail and newspapers are indicators that a given home is likely not occupied

7 DON T ADVERTISE Breakdown commercial boxes that bring attention to recently purchased big ticket items Turn collapsed boxes inside out before placing curbside, or wait until trash is being picked-up to discard these items

8 AVOID PLACING FAMILY NAME ON MAILBOX, DOORS, ETC. Burglars and other criminals may use this information to obtain telephone subscriber information Suspects may use this information to call target homes to confirm home is unoccupied before making entry

9 Traveling for the Holiday Season? IF YOU LEAVE YOUR HOME UNATTENDED DURING THE HOLIDAY SEASON: Make arrangements to have mail and newspapers picked-up daily Use automatic timers to control interior and exterior lighting Make arrangements for home to be checked by trusted person Allow neighbors to periodically park in driveway Do not use answering machine to announce your absence

10 CHRISTMAS TREE DISPLAY TIPS: Where possible, avoid open display of tree and wrapped presents (viewable from sidewalk or street) Do not store expensive items under tree well in advance of Christmas (ipads, video game systems, jewelry, etc.)

11 CHRISTMAS HOLIDAY SAFETY TIPS: While shopping, secure packages in trunk or out of view While attending holiday parties or delivering presents, do not leave gift-wrapped items in plain view (in parked vehicles)

12 HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE Report suspicious persons immediately Take note of individuals who are not known residents of your neighborhood. Also take note of schoolaged subjects who are out and about during school hours. Active suspects may carry backpacks or luggage on wheels to transport stolen property.

13 HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE Report suspicious persons or vehicles immediately Burglars often work in teams of two or more, with one offender entering targeted homes while an accomplice waits inside a nearby vehicle. Suspicious vehicles may or may not be occupied.

14 HOW TO KEEP YOUR NEIGHBORHOOD SAFE What is a ruse burglary? In order to confirm whether a target home is occupied or not, burglary offenders commonly knock on doors before entering homes. If greeted by a resident, suspects will ask for a fictitious person and indicate they must have the wrong address.

15 HOW TO KEEP YOUR VALUABLES SAFE Where do burglars look for valuables? In addition to targeting electronics (flat screen TVs, computers, video game systems, etc., burglary offenders will target bedrooms and other locations where jewelry is likely stored. Do not store family heirlooms and other irreplaceable items in easy to find locations.

16 HOW TO KEEP YOUR HOME SAFE To make your home less attractive to burglars Keep doors and windows locked when not at home Use solid core exterior doors and deadbolt locks Use proper interior and exterior lighting (with timers when not at home) Purchase alarm or home security system with cameras and DVR recorder

17 SEASONS GREETINGS! Have a safe and prosperous Holiday Season! The Town of Geneva Police Department