Burglary - Home

Residential burglary is increasing all over the country partly due to the supply and demand of drugs that we are facing in today’s society. Law enforcement officials are finding out that a high number of residential burglaries are committed by individuals who are on a controlled substance in order to supply their daily drug addiction habit. The fast money is in residential burglary for drug addicts. In most cases, burglaries that occur in a residential area may have been prevented had the homeowner taken security measures to safe guard their homes from common thieves.

Here are some basics tips to help prevent you from becoming a victim of home burglary. Remember, this is professional advice only. These tips are in NO way a guarantee that you will never become a victim. This is merely advice to help you protect yourself!

• Invest in solid doors and good quality locks on doors and windows. This includes on all sliding glass doors as well. Make it not only difficult but also time consuming for a burglar to gain entry.
• Whenever you go outside, lock the door and take the key with you, even if you are just stepping next door or out mowing the back yard.
• Don't put valuables where they can be seen from the window, especially items that can be easily carried.
• Be sure your garage door can be secured. Do not leave it open when you are away; an empty garage broadcasts your absence.
• When you aren't home, use a timer set to turn interior lights on and off at varying ntervals as though your home was still occupied.
• Don't keep large amounts of cash or really valuable jewelry around the house.
• If someone comes to your door asking to use the telephone, make the call yourself. Don't invite them in.
• Don't hide a spare key under the door mat or under a flower pot. Thieves know all the good hiding places.
• Plant thorny bushes under all windows. Trim back any trees or shrubs near doors and windows to eliminate hiding places for would-be thieves.
• Invest in a good security system along with motion sensor lights installed out of reach if not using a ladder or something similar.
• Don't leave ladders outside. Keep any tools that could be used to break in your home safely locked away in a garage or shed.
• Get a barking dog or "beware of dog" signs. If you own a dog and go out of town, have someone come in and care for your dog in your home.
• If you do not have a dog, consider putting up “beware of dog” signs to ward off potential burglars.
• Always double check doors at night and lock all windows.
• Engrave all valuables such as stereos, microwaves, videocameras, with your driver's license number. (Engraving tools are usually available at any local hardware store.)
• Videotape the contents of your home. Keep the video and the list of all valuables in a safe place, such as a safety deposit box.
• Photograph your high value items. Be sure to photograph from different angles, to include a photograph of the manufacturer's label which has the make, model, and serial number on it.
• Join a Neighborhood Watch group. If one does not exist you can start one with the help of the Walton County Sheriff's Office.
• Make sure you report any suspicious activity in your neighborhood to law enforcement. Be proactive on your street or in other words "be the eyes and ears" for law enforcement.