UCPD Tip of the Week: Make Your House a 'Hard Target'

From Sgt. Travis Souza of the Union City Police Department:

Tip of the Week: Target Hardening

My wife is the inspiration for this weeks “tip of the week.” My wife routinely laughs at me and jokes about our house being a fortress. I think I finally have her convinced that there is a method to my madness! I have explained to the wife that I am just making our house a harder target for potential crooks. I have used an example of two identical cars being parked next to each other.  One of the cars has a blinking red alarm light and one car does not have a blinking red alarm light. A potential burglar would most likely choose to break into the car without the obvious alarm. I apply this basic principal to our house. 

Wanting to be prepared for everything tends to be a byproduct of working for the police department for over 15 years. The things we learn and experience as police officers over the years has a tendency to change some of our daily habits. My wife pokes fun at me and says that I am paranoid, of course I just smile and tell her that I am “prepared.” I feel that no one should ever be afraid or paranoid, but I think everyone should be prepared and have a plan. I listed some steps that can be taken to reduce the likelihood of your home being burglarized. 

• Locking side gate – Keeping a padlock on your side yard gate can help keep the honest, honest. 

• Rose Bushes – Rose bushes are both pretty and functional.  The thorns on rose bushes can be a nice deterrent when placed under windows or near jump points on fences. 

• Ample Lighting – Having ample lighting around your home and vehicles can help keep the crooks away.  Motion sensing lights can be a preventive option. 

• Security Cameras – Having security cameras installed at your home can be a deterrent and investigatory resource.  Many of the camera systems on the market are reasonably priced and offer internet viewing and recording options. (The wife made fun of me for this one) 

• Alarm Systems – Having an audible residential alarm system installed at your residence.  I am a fan of audible alarms systems.  If there is an activation everyone can hear it going off.  Any neighbors hearing the audible alarm should be calling it in and looking at the window to provide arriving officers information. 

• Visible Deterrent – Display alarm stickers and/or signs informing potential burglars of the alarm and video systems that are installed at your residence.  On multiple occasions I have seen subjects walk up to my front door, look at the visible camera system and alarm stickers, then turn around and walk away.  Happy ending. 

• Neighborhood Watch – Getting to know your neighbors and getting involved in the policing of your own neighborhood.  Call the police department when you notice suspicious persons or vehicles in your neighborhood.  My motto is, “when in doubt…call us out!”