As the days get shorter and the hours of darkness grow longer, now is a good time to think a little bit about home security. This is especially true now, because although the 4th Precinct continues to see significant reductions in Part One crime, burglary is actually up in the precinct and in Camden in particular. According to MPD's CODEFOR statistics, in the seven residential neighborhoods of Camden, there were a total of 620 burglaries as of the end of the third quarter, 2008. This compares to 498 for the same period last year, a 24 percent increase in burglary.
When a burglar is looking for a home to break in to, he generally asks himself three things: "Can I get in quickly? Can I get in quietly? Can I get in without being seen?" The longer it takes, the more noise he has to make and the greater his visibility while actually breaking in, the greater his risk of being discovered. This fact suggests a strategy for burglar deterrence that includes combining good landscaping and lighting with adequate and effective security hardware. The landscaping and lighting speaks to the visibility question, while proper hardware forces the burglar to spend more time and make more noise.
Good landscaping enhances visibility around your home and reduces the opportunities for concealment that a prowler can use. Shrubs and bushes should be trimmed down to a height of no more than 3 or 4 feet, while the lower branches on trees should be trimmed up to a height of no less than 6 or 7 feet. Particular attention should be paid to the plantings around doors and windows, and along walkways and sidewalks.
Good lighting is also important. Properly placed motion sensor lights are ideal for burglary deterrence. Properly located and adjusted, motion lights will alert you to activity on your property and provide good illumination at the doors and windows of your home.
Good security hardware on your doors and windows is equally important. Deadbolt locks with heavy duty strike plates should be used on all exterior doors, including the service door to your garage. The standard strike plate that comes with most deadbolt locks is usually not adequate and should be upgraded. A heavy duty strike plate is 6-inches long and is held in place with six 3-inch screws. A good quality dead bolt lock will be made of case hardened steel and have at least a 1-inch throw (the length of the bolt when fully extended).
Windows are another vulnerable point in your home. In addition to the standard clamshell locks you find on most double hung windows using a track filler or pinning the windows to prevent someone from the outside from opening them is often recommended. For info on these techniques go to http://www.ci.minneapolis.mn.us/police/crime-prevention/docs/MHS.pdf, or contact your neighborhood Crime Prevention Specialist.
In addition to these measures, make sure you practice the following security habits as well:
- Lock your front door while you are in the backyard, and vice versa.
- Lock your doors when you leave the house for even a few minutes.
- Be sure your basement windows are locked and secure. Don't forget about your garage too.
- When you are gone for the evening, leave an outdoor and an indoor light on. Use light timers to turn lights on and off at random to increase the impression that someone is home.
- Leave a radio, TV, etc., on when you're at work during the day.
- When you go on vacation have a trusted neighbor watch your home and move drapes, and shades, mow the lawn, shovel snow, and collect mail and newspapers.
Finally, it cannot be stressed too many times, that your best defense against burglary is your neighbors. Good neighbors who are willing to call 911 to report suspicious activity have been responsible for catching more burglars, and preventing more burglaries than just about anything else. Talk to you neighbors and encourage them to call 911 to report suspicious activity.
For a complete assessment of your home's security, call your MPD Crime Prevention Specialist. Your CPS will conduct a free home security survey of your home, and make appropriate recommendations. North of Dowling call CPS Shannon McDonough at 612-673-2805. South of Dowling call CPS Mary Etzioni at 612-673-3364.