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Crime Prevention

Burglary Prevention

Follow these easy steps to make your home less appealing to criminals:

  • Make sure you have sturdy metal or solid wood doors at all entries into your home, and that sliding glass and similar doors are properly secured.
  •  Install and use well-made deadbolt locks (1.5-inch throw or greater) on all exterior doors.
  • Make sure all exterior doors have wide-angle viewers that can be used by everyone in the house. Install two viewers at different heights if necessary.
  • Light up entry doors so that you can tell who’s there. Motion detector lights, flood lights, or similar lighting can help brighten up the property.
  • Trim the shrubbery around your doors and windows so crooks don’t have a place to hide.
  • Instead of hiding keys around the outside of your house, give a key to a neighbor that you trust.
  • Consider an alarm. They can be a good investment, especially if you have valuables in your home.
  • During the day, leave drapes and shades in a normal position; the way you have them when at home. Don’t leave easily movable valuables in sight close to windows.
  • At night, leave on some inside lights – bathrooms and hallways, for example.
  • Consider buying automatic timers that turn lamps on after dark, then off a few hours later or at dawn.
  • Never leave garage doors open – especially with no car in sight.  This is a WELCOME sign to burglars.
  • Install deadbolt locks. Make sure locks are firmly screwed in solid wood – not just into a light door jamb. The longer the screws and the longer the lock bolt, the safer your home will be.
  • Burglars often try to find out if anyone is home by phoning.  Warn family members, especially children, not to give out information over the phone.
  • Avoid putting your name on mailboxes or on doors.
  • Don’t open your door to anyone you don’t know and trust.
  • Never keep large sums of cash around the house. Keep valuable jewelry that you don’t often wear in a safe deposit box.
  • Don’t advertise your vacation plans. Let a trusted neighbor know you’re going on vacation and ask them to keep an eye on your house and pick up any mail or newspapers left at your doorstep.
  • If you’ll be away from your home for an extended time, call the City of District Heights Police Department (301) 336-1400.
  • Keep an eye on your neighbors’ homes and ask them to do the same for you.

Robbery Prevention

Robbery Prevention