Crime Prevention Tips from The Pros

Dear Residents,
The WHNA felt some of the following tips may be useful ....

The source for this info is: crimedoctor.com

Sources: Convicted burglars in North Carolina , Oregon , California , andKentucky. Security consultant Chris McGoey, and Richard T. Wright, a criminology professor at the University ofMissouri-St. Louis, interviewed 105 burglars for their book Burglars
on the Job.
Things A Burglar Won't Tell You:

1. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working inyour yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier.

2. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste ... and taste meansthere are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have.

3. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And Imight leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

4. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create carand foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway.

5. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy.

6. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And thewindows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom-and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

7. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget tolock your door-understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather.

8. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters (Don't take me up on it.).

9. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet.

10. Helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms.

11. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe whereyou keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me.

12. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're away , you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates theflickering glow of a real television. (Find it at faketv.com .)

13. Sometimes, I carry a clipboard. Sometimes, I dress like a lawn guyand carry a rake. I do my best to never, ever look like a crook.

14. The two things I hate most: loud dogs and nosy neighbors.

15. I'll break a window to get in, even if it makes a little noise. Ifyour neighbor hears one loud sound, he'll stop what he's doing and wait to hear it again. If he doesn't hear it again, he'll just go back to what he was doing. It's human nature.

16.I'm not complaining, but why would you pay all that money for a fancy alarm system and leave your house without setting it?

17. I love looking in your windows. I'm looking for signs that you'rehome, and for flat screen TVs or gaming systems I'd like. I'll drive or walk through your neighborhood at night, before you close the blinds, just to pick my targets.

18. Avoid announcing your vacation on your Facebook page. It's easierthan you think to look up your address. 20. To you, leaving that window open just a crack during the day is a way to let in a little fresh air. To me, it's an invitation.

19. If you don't answer when I knock, I try the door. Occasionally, I hitthe jackpot and walk right in.

Sincerely,

Kate Martin

Woodland Hills Neighborhood Association

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