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The
Worth Police Department is offering
FREE HOME INSPECTIONS
to determine how easy it isfor a burglar to enter your home. |
The
inspection includes entry doors, windows, lighting,
and shrubs or other growth that can obscure visibility.
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contact
us by email
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Crime
Prevention Tips
*FACTS
Every
14.6 seconds, a burglary takes place in the
U.S.
Most buglaries occur between 10am & 3pm
Burglars spend an average time of 8 to 12 min in your home
Homes without security
systems are about 3 times likely to be broken
into than homes with security systems.
First stop: Usually the
master badroom because most people keep their
valuables there.
Favorite Items: Cash,
jewelery, electronics equipment, silver, guns,
and other items easy to sell or pawn.
Dresser drawers, bedroom closets, and the freezer are some of the first places
a crook will look!
The typical house burglar
is a male teen-ager who lives within a couple
of miles of your home. The chance of being
victimized by a professional thief is low. |
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Doors
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Beware
of hollow-core door construction for exterior or security
doors. Watch for poor locks which are easily forced or
kicked open. For
exterior protection you need solid core doors and quality
locks. Spring Locks/Latches can not be opened with a
credit card or knife. Many
burglars enter homes through improperly secured sliding
glass doors. Additional
locks and security measures will prevent the door from
being opened or lifted out of the track Double
doors need solid security as they are easily jimmied
or forced open. Flush lever bolts installed at the top
and bottom of the doors are recommended. Doors with glass
windows require double key deadbolt locks. The
key to a double key deadbolt lock should be left in the
lock at all times when someone
is home to ensure easy exit in the event of a fire or
other emergency. Beware
of exterior doors that open out as hinge pins can be
removed. Install a Door
Viewer to let you see someone standing outside your door. |
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Garage Doors
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| Standard locks on
garage doors are easily pried. Cane bolts and hasps are excellent
protection. Any door leading from the garage into the house should
be securely locked |
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Windows
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| Sliding glass
windows should be given the same attention as sliding
glass doors. Use the same supplementary
locks or screws in the frame to prevent the window from
being lifted out of the track. Double hung windows
can be similarly secured by a pin or screw which limits
how far a window can be opened. You also may purchase special key locks
for windows at a hardware store. Crank
windows are easily secured. The latch should close properly with
the window tight. |
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Other
Precautions |
| Burglars search for
homes that appear to be unoccupied. A car in the driveway,
motion-sensitive exterior lights, interior lights,
and radios and TVs on timers all give the impression that someone
is home. Stop newspaper and mail delivery, and have neighbors
watch your home. Buglers
want to spend no more than 60 seconds breaking into a home. Measures
that increase
this time include deadbolt locks,
bars on windows, and pins in sash windows. Seeing these may change
a burglar's mind. Don't give burglars any help. Clear shrubs and trees around your
home. Don't give burglars a place to hide. Secure tool sheds
and ladders. Some thieves will steal tools from around your property
and use them to break windows and doors. |
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Tips
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Engrave
your Driver's License number on valuables. Do
not use other forms of identification as it can be
used against you in identity theft or it may not
be enough for the police to identify your property. Photograph
/ video tape your belongings and maintain receipts
and serial numbers. This helps police and the insurance
company identify what property you had before a loss. Keep
this information in a safe place or even a bank safety
deposit box in case of fire. |
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Dogs:
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that bark loudly are a deterrent to burglary. Certain
breeds of dogs are more feared by burglars. Consult experts
when considering training a dog for security purposes. Dogs
not trained properly can present certain dangers and
liabilities. |
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Alarms.
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Alarms can
be a deterrent to burglary. Alarm stickers should be
visible in every window that can be breached. Loud sirens
should be used and the signal should be tied in with
our watch office / dispatch center either directly or
though an alarm company. Some alarm
systems are expensive. Before investing large amounts
of money, feel free to contact the Worth Police Department
crime prevention department for advise. |
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Security Lighting
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| Burglars and
Thieves generally do not like operating in well lit areas.
Sometimes the use of motion detector lights gives the
appearance that someone is watching the premise and has
been alerted to their presence. Cars parked outside are
safer in the driveway with the outside lights on. |
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PLEASE LOCK YOUR CAR!
Leaving a car unlocked is an open invitation
to theft.
DO NOT LEAVE GPS Locaters in your car.
Thieves will break the window to obtain
the GPS equipment.
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Internet
Safety Tips
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1:
Never post your real name online
2: Never post your real hometown online
3: Never post your real state online (countries are okay.)
4: Always approch others with caution, they may not be who they say they are.
5: Tell your friends not to give your information out to just anyone, or without
your permission.
6. Keep seperate passwords for everything.
7: If you're under 18, do not post your age online. |
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Make
sure your friends know these seven rules.
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Links
from the
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Senior
Fraud
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Internet
Safety
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Identity
Theft
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* reference for statistics: Washington
Post |
