Home invasion criminals have gained entry to houses by pretending to be distressed persons in need of shelter from attackers or even stranded motorists. Screen all strangers knocking at your door. Interview them through a one-way peephole while your door is locked. Instruct everyone in your family NOT to open the door to strangers. Perhaps you have a window near the front door you could view out of. Again, never unlock and open your door if you don't know who it is. In addition, if someone comes to your home and knocks on the door, acknowledge you are home, turn on exterior lights, but DO NOT open the door. It’s best to make them believe multiple people are home if possible. They will come up with all different types of excuses for knocking on your door but don’t buy into them. Listen to your instinct…if something doesn’t seem right, CALL 911! If there is nothing to it, we will determine that.
Harden your home or apartment with strong doors and locks and three-inch screws in the lock strike plate and door hinges. Fortification of rear doors, sliding glass doors, and garage doors are also important. This gives you the necessary time to phone 911, sound audible alarms, or arm yourself. Good exterior lighting and adding an alarm system are also good measures for deterring a criminal.
Now you might ask how you would know whether or not your residence is safe. Let us send one of our Community Policing Officers to your home or HOA meeting to conduct a FREE Home Security Assessment and they can show you how to “harden the target” at your residence.
Contact our Community Policing Unit at 919-718-4561 (ext. 5607 or 5629) for more information.
Did you know that the time it took you to read this post, 13 burglaries occurred in the U.S.?
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