minimizing risk of home invasions

Hi Lake Neighbors...

I got an offer from a neighbor (Rachel B) to summarize suggestions she found for minimizing risk of home invasions on Cleveland Heights Neighborhood listserve and here it is below (Thank you, Rachel!).

These do happen around here at times (there have been several in the last year or so), this is not to create fear, but we do have to be aware. So, in the spirit of having our heads up and out of the sand and committed to making it safe and great here we also are doing SO much great positive stuff in the neighborhood which is a big part of it. Our 2010 kick-off outdoor movie went off last night without a hitch -- even though it was SUPER cold!!! -- people stuck it out and as it did last year I think the crowd will grow with each movie event. We will try this in about a month...stay tuned and make an effort to be there because it is a great way to meet eachother and it is really fun. Send movie suggestions. There are so many more things going on -- join in, check the website and also pitch your own ideas of things to make happen.

Okay...read below...


Subject: Recent Home Invasion on 600 Block of Athol Avenue


(Suggestions) Here they are....

Time: They want to move fast, so anything that slows them down (only locks keep honest men out). So search out weakness (non deadbolted doors, poorly secured windows), gates, etc. Make it tough for them to break in and then to find and remove what they might like.

Light: They don’t want to be seen. At night lights activated by photo-eye (activates when dark) on all sides of house - including porch and driveway, and timed lights insight house. As reported, it seems very typical that burglars want to get into the backyard where they are not seen, so this seems to be the most important are to double up defenses. Note: people broke into a house at night while owner gone by turning off power at circuit box, so make sure this is locked and secured as best as possible. Though a burglar could cut the lock, it will at least slow them down (Time) and make your house a less appealing target.

Noise: Alarms, etc. By making windows and doors tough to open, that leaves burglars with more drastic and more likely noise options for breaking in..busting doors, broken glass etc..

Don't rely on just one tactic for protecting your home but use layers of defense. By making burglars get past through hurdle after hurdle, you will at least slow them down and complicate their intended job.

And then combining all these redundant protections with great neighbors that keep an eye out for each others property, we have a fighting chance against burglary.

Don't leave tables, chairs, and ladders in your backyard. They can be used to access higher windows. Store them in your basement, garage, or tool shed.

Alarm System Signs might help too, even if you don't have an alarm. You can also buy realistic empty alarm boxes and mount them on your house to make it look like you do have an alarm system.

Put a deadbolt lock in one room or closet in your house, and put your valuables in there when you have workmen over to work in your house.

Put a Beware of Dog sign on front door (even if your dog is a mellow . Right before going to bed, put something in front of your doors on the inside; something that would make noise if the door banged into or something that a burglar would trip over. Always make sure there is a light on in the back of the house and front porch. Bring phone to bed, so can call 911 if you hear someone breaking in. Have pepper spray.

If you are a recent victim of residential burglary (forced or unforced entry) or home invasion robbery (indeed very rare but unnerving), you can get a free Security Inspection from Neighborhood Watch. Contact Brenda Ivey, bivey@oaklandnet. com, 238-3091
Or Eddie Simlin, esimlin@oaklandnet. com, 238-6200