Takoma Park Police: Tips to Deter Burglars

Burglaries are with only 25 through Jiune as compared to 57 through June in 2011. But burglaries are always a concern. Takoma Park Police offered these tips on how to keep your home from being burglarized.

• If you do encounter a burglar in your home, please attempt to secure yourself in a room where you have access to a phone and immediately contact police.  Do not confront suspect or attempt to fight and/or chase after suspect.

• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.  If you have not checked your house, let the police check it for you. Leave the house and call the police.

• It’s important to keep a list of serial numbers and/or receipts of all electronic equipment, i.e., televisions, stereos, cell phones, iPods, computers, as well as a list of items that are easily sold or pawned, i.e., jewelry, collectibles.  Photographs or video tapes are always useful to keep a record of what you own (and insurance companies would also find this useful and convenient). Update your list periodically and do not leave it in the residence, if possible. Use an engraving pen to write your current driver's license number on your property. Burglars don't want marked merchandise.

• Make it time-consuming for a burglar to break into your home, secure your residence. Sometimes installing deadbolt locks on all exterior doors or windows will deter a criminal; they don’t want to spend too much time in one place. Check and double-check that all doors and windows are shut and locked before you leave the house; even if you are leaving for a short period of time.

• Display "Beware" signs. If you have a dog or an alarm system, put up signs that say you do. They do deter thieves. Residential alarms should be designed so as to give protection when you are inside as well as when you are away.

• When you leave your residence, do not leave valuables in plain sight. For instance, if your dining room table is within view of a window, don’t leave a laptop computer sitting there. When possible, pull shades or curtains so that property cannot be seen from outside the residence.

• Be one step ahead of the burglar – case your own home and look for easy ways into your home and then take appropriate measures to correct it.

• A big problem in this city is citizens not calling the police. If you see someone suspicious who does not belong in your neighborhood, call the police. If you see a suspicious vehicle, call the police. Write down the license plates of any suspicious vehicles. Write down a description of any suspicious persons. You can never be too careful. A lack of information on suspects can hinder an investigation.

• Burglars in most instances will case a neighborhood or the routine of residents. Every once in a while, leave at a different time. Change your routine to throw the burglar off.  If you are not consistent, how can they be?