Reducing Opportunity

  • Keep your hedges and bushes trimmed. Houses with large bushes offer cover for a burglar who breaks a window. Make it impossible to stand next to your house without being seen.
  • Install perimeter lighting. Make sure a burglar cannot approach an entrance in darkness. Inexpensive lights are available which detect motion. Installed on a back porch, they illuminate the area if anyone approaches.
  • Get to know your neighbors. The more you know about them, the more you will notice anything unusual. Establish an attitude of mutual watchfulness with them.
  • Report anything suspicious. You are effective eyes and ears. The police are interested in anything suspicious, whether or not a crime is being committed. If anything strikes you as suspicious (slow moving vehicles, suspicious persons, vehicles being loaded with valuables, etc) report it by calling 911. Don't worry about causing a problem. it is our job to check on these things.