The burglary of a residence in River North can remind readers to "think like a criminal." Criminals look for easy targets of opportunity, exploiting the carelessness and inattention of residents. In this incident, the exterior lights of the residence had not been turned on, allowing the burglar to work safely in darkness. A patio table, stored for winter under the windows at the rear of the house, was used as a platform from which the burglar was able to remove a screen and slide open a window. A window inadvertently left unlatched allowed the burglar easy entry without the use of force. Also, no interior lights were on a timer, sending a clear signal to passersby that the house was empty. When evaluating the weakest links in your home security, please consider the following home safety tips:
* Keep all exterior doors locked at all times, especially when working in and
around your yard.
* Keep all garage doors and side-access doors locked, and all garage windows covered.
* Place a metal or heavy wooden bar into the track of any sliding glass door in your home.
* Double-check that each window is,
indeed, locked.
* Leave your front and rear porch lights turned on all night long. Photosensitive motion lights are the ideal choice.
* If planning to be away past dark or for an extended period, put at least one interior light
at the front and rear of your home on a timer.
* Install window blocks that prevent windows from being opened more than a few inches.
* If a window lock is broken or a window air conditioner is installed, wedge a pole in the window's track to prevent it from being opened.
* Ask a neighbor to bring in mail, newspapers, packages, flyers and other items that might collect at your front door.
* Leave telephone contact information with a neighbor in case of an emergency at your home. |
