Statistics show that these crimes usually occur between Midnight and 4:00am, though we have seen instances where they occur in broad daylight.
Below are some helpful tips to secure your safety and that of your homes and properties:
Burglary Prevention Tips
The purpose of the following is to inform residents and business owners how they might prevent a burglary at their home or place of business.
· Get to know and develop a bond of trust with your neighbors. Further, hide your spare key at your neighbor’s house, and not on your own property.
· Immediately report suspicious activity in your area to the Greenwich Police Department.
· If a burglary occurs at your home or business, contact Greenwich PD right away.
· Make your home look lived in. Arrange to have snow cleared, leaves removed and lawns cut as the season requires. Retrieve your mail and newspapers from the driveway promptly.
· Do not broadcast travel plans, but let neighbors or Greenwich PD know that you will be away. Do not announce your absence on your answering machine and do not place a stop on mail; have family or trusted neighbors retrieve it. Further, allow neighbors to park their vehicles in your driveway while you and your family are out of town.
· Install timer lights and motion detection lights. Timers can also be placed on radios and televisions. Install a quality alarm system with an audible ringer.
· Carefully document the make, model and serial numbers of your valuables. Photograph unique items and get insurance appraisals with detailed descriptions. Protect, do not flaunt your valuables. Use safety deposit boxes.
· Dogs can be very effective deterrents, and a “beware of dog” sign, whether you have a dog or not often dissuade potential burglars.
Don’t be a TARGET
If you own a portable GPS Navigation system (Tom Tom, Magellan, Garmin etc.)
Thieves will not think twice about smashing a car window to steal your GPS.
Suction cup marks and/or mounting brackets also indicate the strong possibility that a GPS Navigation system is within the vehicle. Lets face it, most people do not go through the trouble of taking the GPS out of their vehicle and they do not take the time to secure it in the trunk. Thieves then jump on the opportunity and you are more than likely left with a smashed window and a loss of your GPS.
GPS Navigation systems are quickly pawned or resold giving the thief an easy way to get cash. Lately, thieves have been using the “HOME” key to find your address and break into your home.
Knowing the serial # is the best way for Police to identify and recover your GPS.
What can you do?
1. Take the GPS with you
2. Secure the GPS in a hidden area within the vehicle.
3. Leave no indication within the vehicle that you possess a GPS.
4. Record your GPS serial #
5. Secure your vehicle and its belongings:
With motor vehicle burglaries becoming an epidemic nationally, it is important for you to lock your vehicles at all times, even if it is parked within your own driveway. Do not leave any items of value within your vehicle that can be seen within the interior such as GPS units, laptop computers, purse, and any other items of value.
There are many dangers in our world today, whether it be in a park, on a train or in your neighborhood, if something does not seem right to you report it to the police. If you See something Say something.
The non-emergency numbers of the Greenwich Police Department are:
203.622.8004, 203.622.8005, 203.622.8006
Best,
Fred
