A burglary of habitation – breaking and entering has occurred on the 1600 block of Reiser in Pine Hollow on February 21, 2013.  This is the third burglary in the area in recent weeks, one occurring in Dixie Woods Subdivision and the other in Oakbrook.

Here are some suggestion to help protect your home:

Home security can be broken down into two different categories: Exterior and Perimeter.

Exterior security is simply the way the home looks from the street.  When not at home, draw curtains or close window blinds on ground floor windows.  This keeps unwanted prying eyes from seeing any valuables such as computers or large flat-panel TV’s in plain sight.  If this isn’t possible, keep such valuables out of plain sight as much as possible to remove the temptation of an easy target.

Avoid having daily newspapers pile up in the driveway in front of the residence and turn off exterior lights during the day.  This will keep the home looking as though the resident is on vacation.  Make sure that the house numbers are at least four inches tall and plainly visible from the street.  In the event of an emergency, police, fire or an ambulance need to be able to find addresses quickly.

Perimeter security concerns the physical perimeter access points into the home; more specifically the doors and windows.  Exterior doors must have deadbolts with a one-inch throw extending from the door.  The deadbolt strike plate should have screws long enough to screw the plate securely to the stud behind the doorframe.  This strengthens the door against kicks or prying.  If the deadbolt is located within forty inches of a window, it should be a double-cylinder type with a key on each side.  The key must be removed from the interior otherwise in the event of a burglary; the criminal may have keyed access to other doors in the house.

Sliding glass doors must have a secondary locking device, such as a locking bar or a wooden dowel dropped into the track to prevent opening.  Install screws above the doorframe to prevent the door from being lifted off its tracks.

Windows must be closed and locked.  Install a secondary locking device such as a slide bolt or track lock that keeps the window from being opened more than six inches.  These locks should have a wing bolt that can be unfastened from the inside without tools in an emergency.

While typically the best type of security is sturdy, high quality locks on windows and doors, some citizens may opt for a monitored home security system.  When choosing a service, make sure to select a reputable company with licensed installers.  Basic systems offer exterior door protection and an interior motion sensor with monitoring plans starting around $30 a month.

Help Police Track Burglars

In the event the home is breached, having information that helps police identity and possibly recover stolen belongings is essential.  Historically, the most popular items stolen are small, easily transportable electronics such as laptop computers, monitors, gaming systems or portable mp3 music players.  Most electronics have serial numbers that the police can enter into the state’s crime information center computer.  If the item is recovered or pawned, the serial number is checked through this system to identify the owner and return the property.

Record serial numbers for any valuables in the home that have them and keep a printed copy of the list with the item’s value in a secure location.  Don’t store the list on a computer, as these are among the most popularly stolen items.  Citizens should also photograph their valuables.  Photos and a companion list will aid in the filing of insurance claims.

Finally, keep a listing of bank account numbers and credit card numbers along with the phone numbers needed to close or cancel the accounts.  This will keep fraud and forgery on accounts to a minimum.  This list should be kept with other important documents in a secure place.

Alert neighbors can also be a deterrent to crime.  Citizens should call the police when they see any suspicious persons, activity or circumstance.  Unfamiliar vehicles parked for extended periods of time or persons driving slowly through neighborhoods are incidents worth calling the police to report.  Officers would rather respond and find nothing than miss the opportunity to prevent a crime or catch a burglar.

Protecting the home and neighborhood takes effort and a willingness to develop safe habits.  The police department is always available to answer questions regarding home and personal security.  Officers with the Community Services Division are trained to conduct home security surveys and if qualified, residents may even receive up to a 20% discount on their homeowner’s insurance.

Home Security Surveys

Contact the Community Services Division of the Pearland Police Department for more information or to schedule a home security survey.

Contacts:

Officer Z. Davis       281.997.4176

Officer M. Pace        281.997.4171