Crime Prevention Tips

“NEW” - Lee County Sheriff's Office Quarterly Newsletter - Volume 5, Issue 1, January—March , 2011
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Home Security Measurers

You must be aware of the potential risk of crime in your home in order to prevent it. First: remember that the key factor in most crimes is OPPORTUNITY. If they can’t get at it, they can’t take it!! Then…follow a regular plan of home security to deter the potential burglar or intruder.

• Use a time or photo electric cell that automatically turns on a living room light at dusk, particularly if you’re going to be away at that time;
• Leave a radio on with the volume turned low when leaving home, even for a short period;
• Always close and lock garage doors;
• Secure automatic garage door openers in glove compartment of your car;
• Secure all obvious (and not so obvious) points of entry to your home. Pretend you are the burglar…stand outside your home and plan how you would get in; then install secure locks on all doors and windows;
• Lock up all ladders, ropes, or tools that could help a burglar gain entry;
• Keep all shrubbery trimmed near your doors and windows – don’t provide concealment or climbing platforms for the burglar
• Illuminate all entrances;
• Keep your grass cut, your leaves raked, etc…to indicate a well cared for and occupied home;
• Install new locks when moving into an apartment or previously owned home;
• Keep extra keys out of sight and in a safe place; never hide a key outside – most hiding places are obvious to burglars;
• Avoid displaying valuable items near windows with open drapes and shades;
• Never leave a note on the door explaining why you are not at home; and
• Never leave doors or windows unlocked when leaving home.

• Alert the Cape Coral Police Department that you plan to be away and a police volunteer perform a vacation house check at your residence. To arrange this, homeowners should come to the lobby of the police station at 1100 Cultural Park Blvd. and fill out a request form;
• Notify the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange with a friend to pick up and hold your mail;
• Notify your newspaper carrier to discontinue newspaper deliveries, or arrange with a trusted neighbor to pick up and hold your papers;
• Make arrangements to have your lawn mowed and have someone check daily to remove circulars from your doorway and yard;
• If you have valuables in the house, i.e. expensive jewelry, take them to the bank for storage in your safety deposit box. Deposit extra cash in your bank account;
• Move valuables so they can’t be seen from the porch windows. Be sure you have a list of small appliances, electronics, and other valuables;
• Make sure any broken windows, door locks and window locks are repaired;
• Put things away. Lawn furniture, bicycles, garbage cans, etc. should be put aw before leaving. Items left out can easily be stolen; and
• Ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house while you’re away. Leave your vacation number or cell phone number so you can be reached in case of emergency.

• Turn down the ringer volume on your telephone so it cannot be heard from outside;
• Don’t announce your absence on answering machine messages;
• Use timers to turn lights (radios too) on and off at appropriate times;
• Close and lock garage doors and windows. Close and lock all other windows and sliding glass doors, and be sure that all screens or storm windows are locked or fastened;
• Put the window shades in the normal daytime position, and make sure all main floor drapes, shades or curtains are arranged so that neighbors and police can see into your house. Do not close blinds, pull shades down or do other things that advertise that your house is empty;
• Make sure the last person out locks the door. Then take a walk around the house. Check the doors and windows; and
• If you leave a car or other vehicle in your driveway or in the garage, make sure it’s locked.

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