Tips to Prevent Residential Burglaries

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Ridgewood Police Department
COMMUNITY POLICING
WORKING TOGETHER FOR A SAFER COMMUNITY


PROTECT YOUR HOMETIPS TO PREVENT RESIDENTIAL BURGLARY

While we enjoy a very safe community, in the United States, a residential burglary occurs every 13 seconds.  In addition to the property loses, victims often develop personal feelings of vulnerability resulting from these crimes. To help prevent becoming a victim, the Ridgewood Police Department offers some helpful hints:

 
  • Have sturdy dead-bolt locks on all exterior doors – and use them.
  • Trim shrubbery back to avoid giving burglars cover, and trim tree branches so there is no access to upper windows.
  • Leave shades and blinds in normal positions.
  • Keep porches, entrances, and driveways well lit – consider installing automatic lights that turn on at specific times or when there is movement in the area.
  • Keep garages and sheds closed and locked when not in use – they offer excellent cover for a burglar attempting to break into a house.
  • Store tools and ladders securely out of the way when not in use.
  • Never carry identification tags on your keys.
  • Do not hide “spare house keys” outside.
  • Keep daily routines confidential and vary them when possible.
  • Do not put valuables where they are visible from a door or window of your home.
  • Do not let strangers into your home to use the phone – offer to make the call for them.
  • Put lights and television and/or stereo on timers (not just when you are away on vacation).
  • Make sure your exterior lights are not on during day light hours. (remember to adjust timers with seasonal day light changes).
  • Do not let newspapers build up on your driveway and/or property - have a trusted neighbor retrieve your newspapers and mail.
  • Do not let mail build up and/or over flow your mail box.

If you have any questions or would be interested in further information on crime prevention, neighborhood watch group or a home security survey, please contact us.

 

Detective Captain John M. Ward                                       Lieutenant Todd Harris

Office: 201-251-4535                                                       Office: 201-652-3900

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Sergeant Glenn Ender                                                        Sergeant Peter Bolten

Office: 201-652-3900                                                       Office: 201-652-3900

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