Blockwatch Tips

All year long, thieves are out looking for unlocked doors, windows, ladders laying out to climb to second story windows, garage windows not sealed up tight, sheds unlocked, etc. they know every trick in the book. And to set the record straight: THIEVES ARE NOT NECESSARILY FROM POVERTY STRICKEN HOMES. They can be from all walks of life, ages, nationalities, your neighbor or even a trusted friend. Areas that are great crime zones are housing near major colleges, Bed ‘n Breakfasts, Air B’nB’s, business and University campuses.

That said, there are things you can do to prevent crime happening to your home:

Lock doors and windows on all lower floors.

If inserting a window air-conditioner….make sure it is bolted to the frame of the window, and the window sashes too! An air-conditioner that is not bolted in place, takes only seconds to push inward into the home.

Second story windows are not immune, if ladders are laying about the lawn unlocked or not bolted down. Some will even use a bicycle as a ladder, to climb on to a porch roof.

Keep curtains on all windows and doors. They don’t have to be full length. A ‘half’ lower window curtain should do….so long as it is not shear, but ‘opaque’. And . Covers the entire length across, with out a seam in the middle. This prevents a thief casing your property. From seeing what lies on your desk, dining room table, couch, etc! And too, if and what size your big screen t.v. Is. How many guitars you own, amps too.

NEVER leave your front door open! Anyone walking by can peer in and see what you have.

KNOW, who you invite over for a social gathering.

Use 1/4” x 2” wide minimum metal backing plates on your door jams, then cover with door casings. Make sure Metal plates run 2″ past the upper and lower sides of your door locks, and sunk with #10 x 3” heavy duty screws, every six inches. Should do the same on the hinge side.

Use two deadbolts, not one. Door handle locks are joke.

Make sure you have a decent screen door….keep it locked at all times.

If you have a front or back door with windows, it is wise to attach a 1/4” thick sheet of plastic to the inside, where screw heads can’t be jiggled with. This is ESPECIALLY important on doors with 3 over 3 or 4 over 4 or 6 smaller window panes. Easiest door on the planet, to break in on. A solid tap with a glass breaker to the smaller window by the door lock, and a perp can reach in and unlock your deadbolts from the inside….even if you are inside. They do it all the time!

Screens on windows, are one knife cut away from entering. Keep your windows locked! Metal screens are better..if you can still find them somewhere. Can still be cut, just takes longer.

Secure access to your rear yard!

Make sure the garage door came down….AND STAYED DOWN!!

Lock your shed or garage doors.

Keep graffiti off all surfaces in your area. Paint over them if you have too. Especially on sign posts, backs of signs, all trash containers. Many of the tags are ‘signals’. Or. Forms of communication between a ‘caser’ and the ‘chaser’. Tho these days, smart phones have made this form of communication, a bit more obsoleted. Still, it is wise to remove graffiti, tagging, stickers, stencils quickly. Not doing so, says a lot to the perp about renter or property owner: that they don’t care. And therefore will be less observant when a perp is around.

Finally. Do not leave a Dang
Thing In Your Car! Nada, nothing, zilch!! Especially charge cords, loose change, CD’s, window electronic holders….and most certainly, a laptop or a book bag/backpack!!! Not even for a few seconds.

There are some who believe leaving car doors unlocked is safer and cheaper, than paying for a broken window. But what folks do not realize, doing so….brings more criminals to your neighborhood! If they KNOW your leaving car doors open….their gonna stop by all the time…..to see if you forgot some thing, for them to take. Too…homeless will sleep in your car in an instant. Which is a nice thing to do. If you don’t mind needles, bottles, trash, urine and other things being left behind. If your lucky tho, you might get a decent person who tidies up your car nicer than you leave it!