Tips On How To Be A 'Hard Target' For Burglars From New Jersey Police Department

According to the Bernards Police Department:

• Make your home look occupied, and make it difficult to break in.
• Lock all doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed, even if for a short time.
• Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers. Consider leaving a television on.
• Keep your garage door closed and locked.
• Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, packages, newspapers or flyers to build up while you are away. Arrange to hold your mail or have a friend or neighbor help.
• Don’t leave garbage /recycling containers out at the end of your driveway.
• Consider installing exterior lighting with motion detectors.
• Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
• Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
• Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available for better security.

If your home is broken into:

• Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside.
• Use a neighbor’s phone or cell phone to call police.
• Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have arrived.
• Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles.

Other precautions you should take:

• Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys. The same goes for safes. Hide them in odd places where they will not be found-other than the master bedroom closet.
• Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase, original value, serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
• Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.