Crime prevention tips for Sheriff Larry Sanders

Home Burglary Crime Prevention Tips – Part One

“Call Police is you see anything Suspicious”

Know how to respond to a Burglary.

Leave immediately if you see your home has been burglarized (the burglar may still be there).

Call the appropriate law enforcement agency immediately.

Do not touch anything until police have secured your home.

If you wake up and find a burglar in your room, pretend to be asleep until it is safe.

If you see any strange or suspicious activity, call the appropriate agency immediately!

Do not hesitate to call. If the activity was legitimate, DO NOT be embarrassed or concerned about calling.

You just did the right thing, whether or not criminal activity was occurring. The offender(s) will not normally come back with this type of citizen involvement. Remember, they want easy targets and don’t want to be caught. You do not have to identify yourself or location when calling in the activity.

Home Burglary Crime Prevention Tips – Part Two

“Make your home look occupied when no one is home”

Leave lights on when you go out – If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day. When leaving on trips, leave a light on in the bathroom. In the bedroom, attach a lamp and radio to a 24-hour electric timer set to go on at dusk and off at your bedtime.

Leave a radio on an all-talk show station and a little louder than normal – The conversation might lead an offender to believe the home is occupied.

Close bedroom drapes or blinds – Keep your curtains and blinds partly open in other areas of your house. If you’re just out for the evening, leave some lights on and close the curtains.

Have someone pick up newspapers and mail – When you are going to be away, tell trusted neighbors and ask them to watch your property. Tell neighbors to call the appropriate agency if they notice anything suspicious. Make sure your neighbors have an emergency contact number for you.

Ask a neighbor to put out your trash and recycle bins, and bring them in again, even if they are empty.

If away for an extended period of time, and no cars will be left in the driveway, ask a neighbor or relative to park an infrequently used vehicle in your driveway, or a second vehicle if they have more than one.