Crime Prevention Tips - Home Security
HOME SECURITY TIPS
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Join the Munster Neighborhood Crime Watch Program and get to know your neighbors. Read the Munster Neighborhood Crime Watch Weekly Report each week and forward it on to friends and family to help keep them informed. If your neighborhood does not have an active Crime Watch Group, form one of your own. Display your member sticker prominently inside your front window.
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Keep your home well-lit and make sure that your address number is clearly visible from the street during the day or night.
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Keep all windows and doors locked when you are not at home, even for a few minutes.
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Do not leave keys inside vehicles parked inside the garage.
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Never leave a note on your door explaining why you are not at home.
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Install an alarm from a respected company and arrange for it to be tested from time to time through the company and the police department.
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Use steel-reinforced doors with "bump" proof locks and keep them updated. Always use deadbolts that are reinforced with metal plates fastened with at least three inch screws.
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Insert thick dowel rods in the railings of sliding doors and in the space between windows to prevent them from being forced open.
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Keep your garage door closed and the service door locked. This is especially important with attached garages. Burglars can easily enter through service doors connecting attached garages or they will wait inside the garage for the homeowner to leave and close the garage door.
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Make sure that bushes and shrubs are no higher than three (3) feet high and that branches on trees are at least seven (7) feet off the ground. This prevents burglars from hiding behind them while attempting to break in or while observing the interior of your home.
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Do not leave spare keys under the door mat, on top of a door frame, or inside a fake rock. Leave a spare key with a trusted neighbor or family member if you feel it is necessary.
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Always make it appear as if someone is at home. Use timed lights, radios, and TV's.
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When going on vacation, have a trusted neighbor pick up your newspapers (or have them stopped). Do the same with your mail. Have them park their vehicle in your driveway to make it appear as if someone is at home. Have them cut your grass or shovel your snow as well if possible if you will be away for more than several weeks.
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Let the Munster Police Department (836-6600) know that you will be going on vacation, how long you'll be gone, who will have access to the house, and provide an emergency contact person and number.
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If you come home to find your front door unlocked (when you have locked it) or wide open, do not investigate the interior of the home. Go to a trusted neighbor's home immediately and contact the police. They will clear your home of any intruders if they are still present and secure the crime scene (if applicable).
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Contact the Crime Prevention Officer to have a security inspection done for your residence. This is FREE and only takes around an hour to do.
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Report suspicious persons or vehicles around your neighborhood immediately.
For more information please contact Officer James Ghrist, D.A.R.E./Crime Prevention Officer, at 219-836-6639 or jghrist@munster.org.
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