I posted a couple of weeks ago about my house being robbed while home. Well, they did it again. We weren’t home this time and they were able to grab a lot more. The night before that my neighbor’s car was broken into and the night before that another one of our neighbor’s house was hit. We live near the corner of MLK & Yesler, and it sounds like our block is getting hit hard this month. Keep those doors and windows locked! (We have house guests who left a basement window open).
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That sucks. These people are vermin.
We learned a LOT from our invasion robbery last summer. July and August are the worst months for burglary, so it will only escalate from here. Alarms and alarm signs do deter criminals as they are generally lazy, so invest in one. Wireless cameras well placed also give a measure of security and footage of what occurred while you were gone. Realize this stuff costs money but there is a point where time spent replacing things, and higher insurance premiums balance it out. There is the big loud dog trained to attack route you could take as well :-).
From Mark Solomon, SPD Crime Prevention Coordinator:
Summertime Security Tips
During warm weather months, we often see an increase in burglary and theft. Reasons for this include:
• Windows at residences left open for ventilation when residents are not home.
• Unattended open garages while residents are working in the yard or have briefly left the home.
• Unattended personal belongings while at a park or other recreational venue.
• Unattended personal belongings visible in our vehicles.
We want to remind you about the potential for an increase in burglary and theft and provide you with
concrete steps you can take to reduce your vulnerability. Please share these tips with your neighbors.
Close And Lock Windows; Limit How Far They Can Be Opened
• Always close and lock windows whenever away from the home. While we understand the desire to
ventilate the home when you are not there because of the heat, be aware that you make your home
vulnerable and you create an opportunity for the burglar.
• If you want to leave windows open enough for ventilation, but not wide enough for someone to gain
entry, use a dowel for sliding glass windows cut to allow the window to open no more than 4”.
Some windows have stops installed on the inside track, which help prevent the window from being
opened too far. However, some of these are not very sturdy and can be opened given the right
amount of force. Please consider augmenting those stops with track locks or with a simpler dowel.
For double hung windows, consider sash pins to better secure the windows from being opened.
Lock Your Doors
• Install good quality dead bolt locks with at least a 1” throw on all exterior doors.
• Replace the existing screws in the strike plates with screws that are 3”-4” long. When a door is
forced open, it is the jamb that splinters and gives, not the door. By securing the strike plates with
3”-4” long screws, you secure the jamb to the wall stud. When the deadbolt lock is engaged, the
bolt goes into the jamb and the jamb is now secured to the framing of the home. This makes it
much more difficult for a person to force open a properly locked door.
Working In The Yard
• If working in the yard in the back of the home, do not leave your front door open and/or unlocked. If
you have a garage or storage unit that is out of your line of sight, be mindful of what is in plain view
to anyone who may be walking or driving by. Close those doors as well.
Secure Tools and Ladders
• Secure all tools, including ladders, so they cannot be used to gain entry into your home or that of a
neighbor.
If Away For An Extended Period Of Time
• If you’re going to be away for an extended time, ask a friend or trusted neighbor to watch your
home. If they see suspicious activity while you are gone, they will know to call 911 for you.
• Have the Post Office hold your mail and hold your newspaper delivery.
• Make it appear that your home is occupied. You can do this by having timers set within the home
that will turn lights on and off. You may want to consider timers for your exterior lights or photocell
attachments (which activate when it gets dark and go off when it becomes light).
Do Not Leave Personal Belongings Unattended
• Whether they are in a shopping cart or on a picnic blanket, always maintain positive control
over your belongings. Never leave personal belongings unattended in your vehicle. Seattle
has an incredibly high rate of theft of personal property from vehicles, particularly at public
parks.
We actually do have a big scary looking dog with a big bark and a fear of strangers. We think the house is/was being watched, because they came the one time no one was here AND the dog was also not here. Sucks.
its probably one of your neighbours!…..buy a gun……. but an alarm………… buy a dog………
Eli,
No!!! Not again. Oh man I tell ya what. I hope you had your tips from this weekend on you still.