Crime Prevention Tips From the Experts

Guest speakers Ron Neimeyer, a 25-year veteran of the Allentown police department and a former Lehigh County sheriff, and Heidi Carr of A&B Lock and Safe Co., along with Cpl. Ed Hartman of the Upper Saucon Police Department suggest the following preventative measures:

-Lock up. "Thirty years ago, you could leave your house unlocked, now you can't," said Hartman. Keep your garage door closed. Don't make it easy for people to steal.

-If you are thinking about buying a home security system, read the fine print. "You'd be surprised how may people think they own their security system, and it's just a lease," said Neimeyer.

-When you go out of town, leave lights on timers or a radio or television on. File a "vigilance report" with the police so they know you're out of town.

-If you are putting locks on your doors, go for the more expensive lock. "You'd be surprised how much plastic is inside a cheaper lock," said Carr. "We're talking about an extra $40 to protect thousands of dollars worth of your possessions.

-Don't leave things in plain view inside your car or inside your home. Leaving items out means burglars know what to take. If you don’t use the jewelry often, put it out of sight.

-Record serial numbers on large items. If items are recovered, the numbers can be checked with the national database, called NCIC, and returned. "Some guns surfaced from a home invasion 10 years ago," said Hartman. 

-Take pictures and keep descriptions of your valuables. Walk through your house and make a quick video. "It's easier for police to look for your valuables with clear photos," said Hartman.                                       

-You need to have a safe, and a good one. "One of my [locksmiths] can get into a Sentry safe in 13 seconds," said Carr. Get one that can be bolted to the floor.

-If someone drives by your house twice and looks like they don’t belong, call the police.

-If you hit the panic button, where is the signal going? Is it local? "If your alarm goes off, and the system is owned by a company in Salt Lake City, the signal bounces out there, and then comes back to the valley," said Neimeyer. "That's valuable time you're losing." Find a local company.

-Peddlers? If they come to your door, they should have a permit. Make them show your permit and a photo ID.

-If you have to make a call, will someone be on the other end of the call? "Not all alarm services are 24-hour," said Neimeyer. "There's nothing more frustrating than waiting during a crisis."

-Be part of a neighborhood watch. "Knowing your neighbors, what they're doing, if they're expecting workers on their property...that's important," said Carr.