On behalf of the entire management team at Community Management Group, I would like to wish you and your families a very healthy and happy Thanksgiving!
Now that Thanksgiving is here and as the Christmas season approaches, the Police Department has asked us to assure you and your neighbors that they are taking measures to combat and prevent the normal increase in criminal activity which occurs this time each year. They also wish to stress the importance of citizens doing their part to protect themselves by not presenting opportunity-criminals with the chance to ruin your holiday. Additional officers will be on high-visibility patrol around shopping areas, banks, and the like. They will also be available to provide bank escorts for businesses that request them.
Particular problems this time of year are theft from automobiles and residential burglaries. These are the most preventable crimes. If citizens remove the opportunity, the crime is less likely to occur. Here are some tips to help protect your home and property:
At Home:
• Make sure to keep doors and windows locked.
• Turn on outside lights at night.
• Report persons or vehicles roaming your neighborhood, day or night so police may check them. They may be simply looking at Christmas lights, or they may be “casing” houses to burglarize.
• Place your tree where the gifts will be less visible from outside. Thieves like window-shopping through your windows.
• After Christmas, don’t put the empty boxes out on the curb. This makes it easy for burglars to decide which houses to burglarize (ie: new computers, TVs, electronics, video games…). Break down boxes and put them in the trash, making sure to save all paperwork. Also remember many electronic devices require original boxes for warranty repair.
• Immediately make an inventory listing the model and serial numbers of new items (and old ones if you haven’t already) and engrave personal markings on them (example: “SCDL 1234567”- using your driver’s license number helps police get recovered stolen items back to the owner).
If Leaving Home:
• Make it look like you are still there.
• Timers on exterior lights, interior lights, and TVs will help make it look like you are home. Don’t leave an answering machine message saying you are gone, in fact turning it off would be better.
• Double check all doors and windows, including second floor and basement. The doors should have dead-bolts; key locks for windows are also available.
• Have the neighbor pick up mail, papers, and ads, put out your trash can, and park in your driveway. Give them emergency and cell numbers to reach you.
• Call the police department to request a periodic residence check (“Keep-A-Check”) while you are away.
• When you return, look around outside first. If you see any evidence of a break-in, do not go inside. Go to a neighbor’s house and call police. The burglars could still be inside.
