Home Safety

> Police >

POLICE Department

Keep your doors and windows locked. Too often, criminals get into homes through unlocked doors and windows.
Consider installing solid core entry doors with reinforced door frames and dead bolt locks.
Identify a "safe room" inside the home where residents can go in an emergency. This room should have reinforced doors, an exit to the outside and a telephone.
Always verify by telephone that the person works for the company they say they represent and has been sent for a reason. A peephole with a 180 degree viewing angle is excellent for you to verify who is on the other side of your door.
Never open your door to anyone you do not know. Exterior lighting provides additional protection from intruders. Remember that criminals may hide in shadows.
Always acknowledge a caller at your door to determine who they are and what they want. Some burglars ring the door bell, and if there is no answer, they break in.
Have family discussions to prepare all members of your family to become thoroughly familiar with your home safety plan. Mentally review as often as possible the actions you must perform if confronted with an emergency. The plan should become "second nature" to you.
Be Informed -- Be Prepared.

Home Robbery Tips / After the Robbery

Call the police immediately after the robbery. The person who calls the police should be able to stay on the phone if the dispatcher requests.
Lock all doors and ask all witnesses to remain until the officers arrive. If a witness must leave, obtain his or her name, address and telephone number./li>
All witnesses should write down a description of all the suspects. Do not discuss the robbery or compare notes about the robber's appearance with anyone.
Protect the crime scene. Do not touch anything.
If the robbers touched anything while in your house, please do not allow anyone to handle it, if needed, put in a safe place to give to police. This may be an important piece of evidence.