Claremont: Preventing Garage Thefts

Press release from the City of Claremont:

February 18, 2021

The Claremont Police Department would like to remind residents that protecting your garage is just as important as protecting your home. Garages are one of the easiest targets and a favorite method for thieves to gain entry into your home. Oftentimes, a garage is usually unoccupied, which gives thieves the ability to gain access your garage, go unnoticed, and once inside can easily gain entry into the rest of your home.

Over the President’s Day holiday weekend, CPD officers responded to four calls for service regarding garage burglaries that occurred between the night of Sunday, February 14 and early morning of Monday, February 15. On multiple occasions, thieves were able to gain entry into the garage because it was either unlocked or they manipulated and broke into the garage. The following areas are where these burglaries occurred:

- 600 block of Colby Circle

- 1400 block of Oxford Avenue

- 300 block of Springfield Street

- 1400 block of Morton Circle

These crimes can be prevented. Here are a few tips to prevent burglaries from happening in one of the most vulnerable rooms in your home – your garage:

LOCK YOUR DOORS – Like you would your house, lock and close your garage! For added security, you can install a high quality door lock and deadbolt.

Garage Door Windows – If your garage door has windows, it is easy for a thief to look into them to see if you have any high value items in plain sight. An easy solution is to cover your garage windows so that they can’t gain sight of what’s inside. If you can, replace your garage door with one that doesn’t have windows.

Keep Your Garage Closed At All Times – do not leave your garage open for extended periods of time. This can allow for anyone driving or walking by to have a full view of all of your personal belongings. Don’t give a thief the chance, even if it’s for a few minutes to run back into the house. They only need a few minutes to take what they need.

Secure Your Garage Door – The door from your garage into your home should be as secure as your front door. Once a thief is done ransacking your garage, they will take on your home next. Make sure your garage door is secure and locked as this will slow a thief down and can eventually deter them from gaining entry.

This press release was produced by the City of Claremont. The views expressed here are the author’s own.