This holiday season when people are traveling, the Richardson Police Department will be working to ensure their homes remain safe. By following suggestions provided by the Richardson Police Department’s Crime Prevention Unit, you can help make their job easier.
When you are not home it is important to create the illusion that someone is there. You can do this by keeping your blinds closed and a radio turned on to create noise and give the impression that someone is inside.
Also, remember to keep your doors locked. This includes the door leading inside the house from the garage since criminals will at times make entry into a house via the garage. Note that the door from the garage to house should have a solid core. You can also go the extra mile to keep your home safe by checking that the screws that secure the strike plate on your front door are at least 3 ½ inches long. This will reinforce the strength of the door by allowing the screws to reach the stud inside the wall. Windows should also be checked and locked before leaving town.
The Richardson Police Department also encourages residents to have a home security system, which is a great deterrent and helps with police response. If you have a home system, be sure you go to www.richardsonpolice.net and apply for a permit.
Finally, with many people now doing their Christmas shopping online, some caution should be used to prevent package theft since the delivery person will often leave packages in plain view for everyone to see. Some online companies offer lockers at no additional cost where your packages can be held until you can pick them up. You can also arrange to have packages held at local facilities for pick-up at your convenience.
Discourage vehicle burglary
- Keep car doors locked and windows rolled up. Vehicle burglary is a crime of opportunity and the majority of the cars that are burglarized had unlocked doors.
• Try and park in public areas offering high visibility and good lighting. - Remove purses, phones, laptops and other valuables from your car. If you must leave valuables in your car, make sure they are all hidden in the trunk, glove box or center console. Even a dangling power cord might invite a smashed window, so don’t leave any clues that valuables may be inside.
- When parking at home, it is best to park in the garage and keep the overhead door closed. If you have to park outside your garage, remove the garage door opener nightly since it could be used to gain access to your house.
