Protecting Your Home from Burglaries

James Salerno, who recently became acting chief of the Port Washington Police District, offers readers these burglary prevention tips to Port Washington residents. 

A few months ago, Lt. Brian Staley, Commanding Officer of Patrol, issued a press release, which provided information on how to protect your property. I would like to expand on Lt. Staley’s advice and address an area of concern that we share with the community.

In the last 12 months, nine burglaries were reported in the police district. Six were residential and three commercial. Three of those six residential burglaries were reported in the first four months of this year. One occurred in the Salem area and two in Beacon Hill. All three homes were forcibly entered through the front door.

I encourage you to look at the burglary prevention tips below and spend some time evaluating your home. If you have any questions or need assistance, please contact Lt. Staleyat 883-0500 ext. 315 or P.O. John Bellini, of the Problem Oriented Policing Unit, at 883-0500 ext. 345.

• A dark house is an unoccupied house. A house with no light on at dinner time tells burglars that you are not at home.
• Do not leave all your valuables in your bedroom. Burglars always check bedrooms first
• Keep shrubbery trimmed. Thick, tall shrubbery provides cover for a burglar to work undetected.
• If you have an alarm system, put up signs that say you do. Do not use signs that hint at what type of equipment you system uses. Have your alarm serviced by a reputable technician.
• USE YOUR ALARM
• Make sure the exterior of your house is well-lit. Exterior lights are important – especially near doors or in the rear of the house, where burglars do most of their work.
• Close and lock your windows. Most burglars won't attempt to break a secured window for fear of attracting attention.
• Secure any sliding doors. Make sure the lock is in working order. A steel rod in the door channel is helpful. For additional security, install two or three screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of the door being lifted out of the track
• Make an itemized list of everything you own. Include brand name, model number, serial number, where and when purchased, and the items' purchase price or estimated value. Attach receipts if you have them. Take photographs or videotape everything, and keep them in a safe place.
• If you are going away, ask a trusted neighbor to pick up all mail, newspapers and deliveries daily. Do not allow these items to accumulate. Ask this same neighbor to park in your driveway while you are gone.
• Don’t let empty garbage pails sit curbside after trash collection days.
• Offer to help a neighbor with any of the above. Be a good neighbor. Watch out for each other.

Residents and police are partners in solving crime; we welcome the information provided by the communities we serve. Please, if you see or hear something suspicious – call 911. If you are unsure about whether to call, I encourage you to make the call.