Residential & Commercial Burglary
Prevention Tips
A general definition of burglary is when someone unlawfully
enters an establishment with the intent to commit a crime,
i.e. theft.
Ninety per cent of burglary prevention is physical security.
If your home is locked up and unauthorized entry is made
difficult, time consuming, noisy and visible, chances of a
successful burglary are kept to a minimum. The burglar will
pass up your home or business and look for an easier target.
When attempting to improve the security of your property,
think like a criminal and go over your entire store or home
in fine detail, looking for any means of entrance or
criminal opportunity.
Prevention
LOCKS on all outside entrances and inside security doors
should be double cylinder deadbolts with moveable collars.
The deadbolt should have at least one inch throw containing
a hardened steel insert and protected by a latch guard.
Check with the Fire Marshall for safety requirements.
PADLOCKS should be of hardened steel, mounted on bolted
hasps and always locked to prevent exchange. Serial numbers
should be filed off to prevent new keys from being made.
DOORS (all outside or security doors) should be of solid
construction, metal lined and secured with heavy metal
crossbars. Jams around doors must be solid. All exposed
hinges should be pinned to prevent removal.
WINDOWS should have secure locks. Burglar-resistant glass
treatments are also recommended. An example would be the
installation of polyester security film. However, this must
be used in conjunction with the alarm's glass break sensor.
Heavy metal grates may be used on windows of high
vulnerability (such as rear windows). Check with the Fire
Marshall for safety requirements.
LIGHTS must provide optimum visibility, both inside and out,
with those outside having vandal-proof covers over the
lights and power source.* At HOME, CREATE THE ILLUSION
SOMEONE IS INSIDE * Use timer controlled or motion detector
lights and have a radio or a television on a timers to make
it appear as if your house is occupied. Avoid clues that
might tip-off a burglar that you are away, even for one
evening. Arrange for the collection of mail and newspapers.
Have neighbors park a car in your driveway, and keep some
blinds or shades open (preferably on the second floor) to
give the appearance that everything is normal.
ALARM SYSTEM should be supplied by a licensed alarm company
with a central monitoring station. Check the alarm system on
a daily basis, and advertise its presence to deter
break-ins.
COMMUNICATE WITH YOUR NEIGHBORS. Let your neighbors know
when you will be away, even if for only one day. Also advise
them if you will be having visitors who might be driving
cars that are not familiar to them. Also, it is a good idea
to let them know if someone will be coming to your home to
feed the animals or water the plants while you are away.
CASH REGISTER should be kept in plain view from outside the
building so it can be easily monitored and should be left
open when empty and not in use.
SAFE should be fire proof, burglar resistant, anchored
securely. Most importantly, remember to use it to lock up
valuables when business is closed or when you will be away.
Make sure it is locked and if it is your business safe,
remember to change the combination whenever someone with
access to it leaves your employment.
SAFEGUARD YOUR VALUABLES. Engrave jewelry, watches,
televisions and other portable items with your social
security number or other identifiable label. Consider
storing valuable jewelry and cash in a bank safe-deposit
box, or a hidden safe inside your home. Most burglars go
directly to the master bedroom looking for jewelry and other
small items.
BUILDING EXTERIOR should be checked including the roof,
cellar and walls. Secure all openings. If there are shrubs
around your house, think about trimming them so the will not
block clear visibility of your windows.
MAINTAIN GOOD VISIBILITY by not allowing landscaping, boxes,
trash bins, vehicles or equipment near building where they
might provide concealment or access to the roof.
PERIMETER FENCES need to be adequate enough to keep
intruders out, and at the same time allow good visibility of
your business by neighbors and police (i.e. vertical iron
bar fence or 1/8 inch mesh vinyl coated chain link).
KEY CONTROL should be done in a responsible manner. A master
key system where one key opens all locks may be convenient,
but it may not be the best for security. Code all keys, keep
them locked up when not in use, and do not allow employees
to leave them lying around or make duplicates. Change locks
whenever you suspect key security has been jeopardized.
ID numbers should be marked on all equipment and stickers
should be displayed to make this plainly evident to would-be
thieves. Also keeping a record of serial numbers on all
equipment may help in recovery.
SECURE equipment and merchandise in order to delay a burglar
in his attempt to clean you out in a hurry.
If you DISCOVER a Burglary to your Home or Business
You do not want to walk in on a burglar. Although they
usually do not want, or look for a confrontation, however if
cornered, he or she may become violent. If you arrive home
or to your business and find a smashed window or kicked in
door and have any reason to believe that an unauthorized
entry has been made, then proceed as follows:
Immediately back out and call the police from a safe place.
Protect access to the scene.
Disclose information to the authorities only.
REPORT ALL SUSPICIOUS ACTIVITY TO THE POLICE.
Any unknown persons, vehicles, or unusual activity in your
neighborhood should be reported to the police as soon as
possible. Always try to obtain as much descriptive
information about the person (i.e. gender, clothing
description, build, etc.) or vehicle (i.e. plate number,
color, make, model, description of occupants) as you can,
without alerting possible suspects.
If you have any questions or concerning crime prevention
strategies please call the Northbridge Police Department at
(508) 234-6211. If you observe anything suspicious or have
an emergency, dial 9-1-1 immediately.
CHILD SAFETY
Remember to review safety practices for children who may be
home alone after school.
Have emergency phone numbers available for children at home
and teach them how and when to call for help.
Teach all children that strangers are dangerous, and that if
anyone attempts to approach them they should remember to use
the three R's for safety:
1. R--Recognize that there is a dangerous situation
2. R--Resist the situation - RUN, SCREAM, MAKE NOISE
3. R--Report what happened to an adult you trust (parents,
teachers, police officers)
Children are our most valuable asset, lets keep them safe!
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