WPCNR POLICE GAZETTE. By Captain Ann FitzSimmons, White Plains Police Department. May 4, 2004: The WPPD has issued a set of citizen crime prevention tips for the summer months to protect yourself and deter potential criminal activity. If citizens have further questions and concerns, contact the Community Advocacy Division at 422-6227 for further recommendations:
CRIME PREVENTION TIPS
For the spring and summer
The warm weather of spring and summer is upon us and here are some tips on how to safeguard your home and family during this season
Protect your home while you are out ….
- Always keep doors and windows locked - even for a five-minute trip to the store.
- Use strong reliable locks such as deadbolts, which can resist ramming and kicking.
- An easy and inexpensive way to secure your windows is to use the "pin" trick. Drill an angled hole through the top frame of the lower window partially into the frame of the upper window. Then insert a nail or eyebolt. The window can't be opened until you remove the nail.
- To improve security on sliding glass doors, you can install keyed locking devices that secure the door to the frame or place a piece of wood or a metal bar in the track of the closed door to prevent the door from being opened even if the lock is jimmied or removed.
- Turn on lights and leave a radio or TV on so it looks like someone is home.
If you are away for vacation…
- Call 422-6111 (Police Bureau) and ask for your home to be checked in your absence.
- Get an automatic timer for your lights and consider leaving a radio on. Make it look like someone is home.
- Make certain that you arrange to have the mail and newspaper delivery stopped or picked up by a trusted neighbor.
- Arrange to have your lawn mowed while you are gone.
- If you have an alarm activate it.
- Ask a neighbor to park in your driveway overnight.
Use common sense to spot a con….
- Beware of cheap home repair work that would otherwise be expensive. The con artist may only do part of the work, use shoddy materials and untrained workers, or simply take your deposit and never return. Never accept offers from the drive up workers who "just happen" to be in the neighborhood.
When driving….
- Always lock your car and secure valuables in trunk or where they cannot be seen.
- Never leave the keys in the ignition, even for a few minutes.
- Park in well-lighted, busy areas.
IF YOU HAVE ANY QUESTIONS CALL THE COMMUNITY ADVOCACY DIVISION 422-6227
