Residential Burglary Prevention Tips (Revisited)

​The uptick in break-ins and thefts that occurred in Kennydale in January and February highlights the need for a reminder to all our residents about the things that you should be doing to help minimize the chance that you will become a victim 
 
The following is a list of Residential Burglary Prevention Tips that has been available from the Renton Police Dept. for some time.  This information has been provided, at neighborhood Block Watch meetings  and at the October 2016 KNA Neighborhood meeting and 4 previous  such meetings, by Officer Cyndie Parks, RPD’s Community Program Coordinator.  For those of you who have implemented some or many of these tips, congratulations!  For those of you who haven’t, now is the time to stop being a potential (or actual) victim by implementing whichever of the following precautions apply to your particular home:
 
1)    Install lights by all exterior doors, and the motion detecting type at front and garage doors (or install LED lamps on a timer and run them all night).  Make sure your fixtures have glass covers that are not easily removed.
2)    Trim shrubs back from doors and windows
3)    Don’t leave exterior lights on during the daytime; that suggests that you are away from home
4)    Always close your garage door, and cover “view” windows so that no one can see inside
5)    Leave nothing in your car (especially the garage door opener); lock it up; park in garage if possible
6)    Secure outdoor sheds with a high quality lock (bolt cutters will cut most padlocks)
7)    Always lock your doors and windows, even when you’re at home
8)    Use solid core or metal exterior doors
9)    Install 4-screw strike plates with 3” wood screws to penetrate the stud within your door frame on all exterior entry doors
10) Use deadbolt locks on exterior doors and double-cylinder deadbolt locks if glass is within 3 feet of the lock
11)  Install peepholes on doors with 160 degree views (if you don’t have  a window near the door)
12)  Do not hide keys outside; leave them with a trusted neighbor
13)  Add drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices to windows and sliding glass doors
14)  Keep valuables in a safe deposit box
15)  Use a locking, heavy-duty metal mailbox (not plastic) *
16)  Take outgoing mail directly to the post office or a blue Postal pick-up box
17)  Never let strangers into your home.  If someone knocks, answer them through a closed, locked door and keep it locked until you verify that they have legitimate business with you. Check their ID
18)  Never leave notes for anyone on the door
19)  Consider installing a residential alarm system*
20)  Consider installing a good quality video surveillance system*  
 
While on vacation:

• Place a radio and interior lights on timers
• Put mail and newspapers on hold
• Ask your trusted neighbor to pick up any packages or fliers from your driveway or porch, and to “keep an eye on things”
• Sign up with the Renton Police Department’s Vacation House Check Program (425)430-7571 or www.rentonwa.gov .

* When shopping for a locking mailbox, residential alarm system, or video surveillance system, do your research!  Amazon.com appears to be an excellent place to find out what’s available, and to learn what their other customers like – or don’t like – about these types of products. When you are ready to make a purchase, also keep in mind our local stores here in Renton! 
 
Please note that prices for alarm systems and monitoring vary widely.  Systems that include mandatory monitoring, annual contracts, etc. can be very expensive.  The City of Renton has posted some very revealing information on this subject.  To learn more, go to www.rentonwa.gov and then follow the path: Living>Law Enforcement and Crime Prevention>Crime Prevention>Home Security Systems
 
As Officer Cyndie Parks notes, “It falls upon those who live in a neighborhood to be vigilant and to remember: utilizing 911 as a resource tool as opposed to an emergency-only number is incredibly important.  Reporting suspicious activity can make a very big difference when it comes to deterring criminal activity – please be a heavy handed 911 caller”.  After you call 911, get on social media, if you are so inclined.  Finally, if you have never set up a Block Watch on your street, or if yours has become inactive, please call Officer Parks at 425-430-7521 to get one