Crime Prevention Tips

The following article is copied from the Neighborhood Watch handout from the Washington Township Police Department, Community Service Unit, with their permission.

Don't make it easy for a thief

Follow these tips to make your property more secure from theft. For more detailed information contact the Washington Township Community Services Unit.

For your home

Doors
Make sure they fit snugly and the frames are of solid construction, with no glass or wood panels. Use a dead bolt lock. The dead bolt should have a minimum 1 inch throw beyond the door edge. Make sure the hinges are on the outside. Doors from the garage into the house should be treated just like a door to the outside. Replace the original striker latch plate screws with longer 2 1/2 inch to 3 inch screws. This ties the latch plate into the 2x4s to which the door frame is nailed.

Garage Doors
If you use your garage to park your car, consider an electronic garage door opener with an automatic locking device. If you use it for storage, use a padlock in the track to secure it, especially when you leave your home.

Windows
The latches on double hung windows can be easily jimmied or pried open. There are many key operated locks that are available. Screws, nails and wood doweling can be used to make a window more secure. There are various ways to use these materials, depending on the location of the window and the necessity to preserve it for an emergency exit. Check with the Community Services Unit for more information on these applications.

Jalousie Windows
These are generally high security risks. They can be easily forced open, or the glass panels removed. Check with the Community Services Unit for other ideas, on how to secure this type of window better.

Basement Windows
These too are generally difficult to secure. If not used for ventilation or emergency exit, they can be permanently secured. The use of steel security grilles which can be padlocked but can be unlocked to open the window [is an alternative solution]. Check with the Community Services Unit for other ideas.

Sliding Patio Doors and Windows
Flat sticks or metal bars are inexpensive, but must be cut to fit exactly the distance between the sliding section and frame. There are key operated locks that are effective. The Community Services Unit can show you some other ways you can secure these doors with home materials. Screws can be installed in the top of a sliding window track to keep it from being pried up and out from the bottom. Steel pins can be installed in both sliding and double sash windows to keep them from being forced open.

Lighting and Landscaping
Make sure there is a clear view of all doors, that they are not hidden by shrubbery. Spotlights aimed at the vulnerable entrances to your home are a good investment.

Burglary Alarms
These systems are very effective in protecting your home or business at night or when you are away, provided they are of good quality and are correctly installed. Contact several reliable alarm installers to insure a good quality installation at a good price. These systems can work on motion, infrared, contacts or noise. There are several alarm companies that offer a base system for little or no cost as long as you sign a contract for their monitoring service. This is usually a multi-year contract. As with any contact, read it completely before signing. Check for a warranty and for the maintenance of the system.

REMEMBER
Don't advertise your absence. Burglars seldom enter occupied homes. Make it look as if you are home at all times. When you are away, use timers on lights, television and/or radios. Stop mail and newspaper deliveries. Lock up all doors and windows. Have a trusted friend keep check on the house. Arrange to have your lawn mowed.

For your car

Locks
The door and ignition locks are not good if you leave your key in the car or the doors unlocked. Take the key with you and always lock the doors and trunk release.

Door Lock Pins
If your vehicle is equipped with flare topped interior locking pins (buttons), replace them with smooth or pointed ones. This prevents the door from being opened with a piece of wire or string.

Valuables
Don't leave packages in the passenger compartment that are visible from the outside. This is just an invitation to a thief. Lock packages in the trunk or in a covered/concealed area in the vehicle. Don't leave cellular phones, pagers, radar detectors, cameras, briefcases, music CDs, cassette tapes, laptop computers, etc., in the interior. It is best to take them inside at night. If your vehicle has an interior trunk release with a lock, use it. The thieves know that people put valuables in the trunk and that most don't lock the trunk release so they just smash the window and open the trunk.

Alarms
There are various types of alarms for your vehicle. There are motion, infrared, glassbreak as well as "Lojak" which is concealed in the vehicle and is activated remotely when the vehicle is reported stolen. Some of these systems have ignition and fuel cutoffs. Other systems offer a remote starting and/or remote locking and unlocking of the doors and trunk. They range in price from $100 self-installed to $1000 professionally installed systems. Most auto insurance companies will give you a reduced rate on your insurance if your vehicle has an alarm system in it. Many new vehicles come factory equipped with a passive VATS (Vehicle Anti-Theft System) which incorporates a computer chip embedded in the ignition key itself.

Other Devices
You can use steering wheel locking bars like "The Club". You can install ignition and fuel cutoff switches as well. All are somewhat effective.

The point to remember is that there is no device or lock that can keep a determined thief out of your home, business or vehicle, 100% of the time. But, if you make it hard enough for them, chances are they will look for an easier victim. If they do, you have just saved yourself a lot of trouble and a lot of money!

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For further information, contact Washington Township Police Department, Community Services Unit.

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