RESIDENTIAL BREAK AND ENTER PREVENTION
York Regional Police is reminding residents of several tips to help prevent thieves from breaking into your home or your vehicle.
York Regional Police continues to receive reports of residential break and enters and entries into vehicles across the region. We want to encourage our citizens to take proactive steps to help keep their home and vehicles safe. Break and enters are often crimes of opportunity. The more difficult you make it for thieves to break into your home, the more likely it is that they will move along. York Regional Police is reminding our citizens of a few basic steps they can take to protect their property.
Ensure your exterior lights are functioning and have them on at night, including lights in the backyard around rear entrances
Always lock your doors and windows as well as your vehicle doors and garage doors. Secure all basement and ground-level windows and patio doors
Do not leave keys or garage door openers inside of your vehicle when it is parked in the driveway
Install dead-bolt locks on all exterior doors and self-tapping screws in the upper track of patio doors and windows
Consider installing a home security system with an audible alarm and video surveillance and ensure that everybody in the house knows how it works Do not announce your travel plans or absence from home on social media or your phone’s voicemail
Do not discuss the contents of your home with others or leave boxes/packaging for expensive items on display in recycling bins
Trim all shrubs and trees so that doors and windows are in clear view
Consider storing valuables in a safety deposit box
When someone rings your doorbell or knocks on your door, make them aware that someone is home, even if you don’t feel comfortable answering the door. For example, call out to the person that you can’t answer the door right now
If going away on vacation or an extended absence, ask a trusted neighbor to watch your house and make your home looks lived-in by:
o Using timer-controlled lights
o Having mail and/or paper delivery temporarily stopped or delivered elsewhere
o Having trusted people periodically attend for lawn cutting and garbage can placement, etc.
o Arranging for neighbours to park in your driveway Be aware of suspicious people or vehicles in your neighbourhood and call police immediately if you’re concerned. We will respond to these calls.
For more tips and to conduct your own home security audit, visit yrp.ca and click on Crime Prevention. |