Burglary Prevention and Home Security Tips

National statistics show that a large percentage of residential burglaries occur during daytime hours when many homes are unoccupied. To minimize your risk of becoming victimized please take a moment to view the following home security tips.

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

Which homes do burglary offenders target and why?

Open or unlocked ground floor windows	Open overhead garage doors and open or unlocked service doors
Uncollected mail and newspapers are indicators that a given home is likely not occupied

 

How to keep your home safe:

To make your home less attractive to burglars
• Keep doors and windows closed and locked when you are not at home- if even for a short period of time
• Secure window air conditioners
• Close and lock overhead garage doors and service doors when unattended
• Use proper interior and exterior lighting (use timers when not at home be sure to purchase a model with a random feature)
• Install solid core exterior doors
• Use deadbolt locks
• Purchase an alarm or home security system with cameras and DVR recorder (If possible secure DVR so it cannot easily be stolen)

Outdoor Camera’s	Home DVR System

Dont advertise

	Breakdown 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

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.

Leaving home for vacation or a weekend getaway?

If you leave your home unattended
• Arrange to have mail and newspapers picked-up daily
• Use automatic timers to control interior and exterior lighting
• Arrange for your home to be checked by trusted person
• Allow neighbors to periodically park in driveway
• Do not use answering machine to announce your absence

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.

How to keep your neighborhood safe

Report suspicious persons or vehicles immediately Burglars may work in teams of two or more, with one offender entering targeted homes while an accomplice waits outside or in a nearby vehicle. Suspicious vehicles may or may not be occupied. Offenders may use a stalled vehicle as a ruse.

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.

Take note of individuals who are not known residents of your neighborhood. Also take note of school-aged subjects who are out and about during school hours. Suspects may carry backpacks or luggage on wheels to transport stolen property.

	If you see suspicious activity or persons Obtain as much information as possible; Clothing description Physical description License Plate number Vehicle make/model/color On foot or bicycle Direction of travel
Call 911 or (262)886-2300 immediately

What else can be done to keep your neighborhood safe?

Join your friends and neighbors in signing-up for

to receive critical public safety messages via text message, cell phone, or online. This is a FREE service.

What else can be done to keep your hone and neighborhood safe?

Join your friends and neighbors in starting a Neighborhood Watch group in your area For additional information, Contact: Charlie French or Susan Feeher at (262) 637-5711

For additional home security and burglary prevention information, please visit the City of Racine web site.

 

 

For more information, or to request a guest speaker on crime prevention, contact the Public Information Officer at (262)635-7772, or use the
Ask an Officer web form.