REDUCE CRIMINAL OPPORTUNITY
Although you can’t make your home 100 percent
burglar proof, you can take simple precautionary measures
to make entry so difficult that a burglar will look
elsewhere for an easier target. Burglars don’t
like to make noise. They don’t like to be delayed,
and want to avoid risk. The burglar is an opportunist
and it matters little to him if your absence from home
is of a short or long duration. He knows the common
weak points in home security and knows where to look
for valuables. Here are some simple precautions and
procedures you can use to DETER, DELAY, DENY, OR DETECT
a burglar.
BEGIN WITH THE EXTERIOR
Clean out or cut back shrubbery and trim trees which
obstruct a clear view of entrances and windows of your
home. Why give a burglar cover and more time to work
unobserved.
LIGHTING
The entrances to your home and garage service door
should be well lighted, and the lights placed out
of reach from ground level. A high pressure sodium
lamp is the most efficient type. Inexpensive timers
or an electrical photo cell will turn lights on at
dusk and turn them off at dawn. Sensor operated spot
lights can be an effective crime prevention device.
HOUSE NUMBERS
City of Akron Ordinance 98.60 requires that
the owner of every permanent building install house
numbers at least 3 inches in height and of a contrasting
color to the background. The intent of this ordinance
is to enable persons reporting suspicious activity
to furnish accurate information to the Police Department
and allow responding officers to locate the source
of the complaint easily.
DOORS
Consider exterior doors as part of your total
security system. Remember, all elements of your security
system must work together to provide your home maximum
security. For best security, solid core or wood staved
doors at least 1-3/4” thick should be installed.
There should not be more than 1/8” clearance between
the door and its frame. Any more than 1/8” allows
for easy access for tools to spread the frame. The door
should be equipped with a 180 degree wide angle viewer.
This enables you to see who is at your door without
opening it. If you desire a door with a window in it,
the glass should be located at least 40” from
the lock to prevent breaking the glass and reaching
in to unlock the door.
INSTALL A DOOR JAMMER
It will permit you to open the door in safety. It can’t
be forced open, picked or jammed.
HINGES
Most door hinges are located inside, safe from attack.
If the hinges are located outside, the hinge pins
could easily be removed and the door removed from
its frame. To remedy this, replace existing hinges
with non-removable pin hinges or modify existing hinges
by removing the middle screw on each hinge plate,
top and bottom, and inserting a headless screw or
metal pin into one side. When the door closes, the
exposed pin will fit into the opposite hole and will
bolt the door to its frame.
LOCKS
Most homes were built with economy in mind, not security.
Many have inexpensive key-in-knob type locks which offer
very little security. They’re easy to open with
a credit card or screwdriver and won’t resist
a good kick. The locking mechanism is a system consisting
of the lock, the bolt, or throw, and the strike plate.
For best security, single cylinder, thumb latch dead
bolt lock is recommended. Make sure the lock has the
following features:
• A bolt or throw that extends at least one inch
from the edge of the door.
• Connecting screws which hold the lock together
are inside the door.
• The strike plate is anchored to the door frame
with three inch long screws.
• In addition, a reinforcing sleeve can be added
to the door to increase the quality of the locking device.
WINDOWS
Special key locks for all types of windows can be purchased
at reasonable prices. These locks require keys and pose
a hazard in case of emergency exit. Everyone in the
household must know where the key is located, but it
should not be kept near the window. Double hung windows
can be secured by pinning. This can be easily done by
drilling an angled hole through the top frame of the
lower window partially into the frame of the upper window.
Eye bolts or nails can be inserted into the holes. For
the purpose of providing ventilation, a second set of
holes can be drilled into the upper window frames at
a height that will not allow entry. We recommend no
more than four inches.
ESPECIALLY VULNERABLE STREET LEVEL WINDOWS
Grating or grills may be installed, but make sure
they are equipped with a quick release feature for
emergency exits.
LOUVERED OR JALOUISE WINDOWS
The individual glass panes in these windows are easily
removed from the outside. There are several options
available to deal with these type windows.
• Remove and install another type window that
provides more security.
• Install ornamental bars or security screening.
BASEMENT WINDOWS
Another favorite point of attack for the burglar is
the basement window. We recommend hinged security
bars that can be opened in case of emergency.
WINDOWS WITH EXTERIOR AIR CONDITIONERS
It is recommended that ornamental steel bars be installed
to fit around the air conditioning unit. This protects
the unit and prevents entry.
SLIDING PATIO DOORS AND WINDOWS
The sliding patio door or window is probably the easiest
point of entry to a home. However, there are a few simple,
inexpensive methods to aid the security of these doors
and windows that you can install.
• Reduce the vertical clearance between the door
and the track.
• Anti slide bolt
• Locking bar for sliding door track or track lock
• Purchase keyed locking devices
GARAGES
Today, an average garage contains several hundred dollars
worth of machinery, snow throwers, power lawn mowers,
and electrical garden tools besides a vehicle or two.
Better security precautions must be installed to safeguard
the contents.
SERVICE DOOR
The service door should be exposed by light which is
controlled from inside the home. The same security precautions
recommended for the home doors applies here. Solid wood
core door, single cylinder thumb latch dead bolt and
good snug fitting door.
DOUBLE OUT SWING DOORS
This door is difficult to secure. They are usually
hinged on the outside and expose hinge pins to easy
removal. We recommend that heavy duty surface bolts
be installed on the inactive leaf of the door. Install
hinges with non-removable hinge pins. Install a good
case hardened hasp and padlock on the outside. All
garage doors should be kept locked except when actually
going in or out. Most garage doors are constructed
of thin plywood or masonite panels. Both can be easily
broken into by bodily force, reaching in and unlocking.
It is recommended that the door be secured to the
track by either of two methods.
• Drill a hole into the track just above a hinge
and insert either a heavy duty removable steel pin
or use a good padlock. This will prevent up and down
movement.
• Drill a hole into the end of the slide bar
and insert a good padlock to prevent side or unlocking
movement of the slide bar.
GARAGE WINDOWS
All garage windows which are not actually opened for
ventilation should be secured permanently. The same
recommendation for securing residence windows apply
to garage windows. Louvered or jalouise windows not
being used can be secured by applying glue to each pane
at the top and bottom to seal them together. This will
make it difficult for a thief to remove the individual
panes one by one and gain entry.
ADDITIONAL PREVENTION TIPS
Always make your home appear occupied when you are at
home, out for the evening, or on an extended vacation.
Always make sure the windows are secured and locks are
locked, including the garage. Leave a radio or television
set playing. To insure that lights are on during times
of darkness, whether you are at home or away, inexpensive
automatic timers or electric photo cells should be installed.
• Never leave notes indicating when you will return
home.
• Never leave spare keys under door mats, in mail
boxes or over the door frame.
ALARMS
There are many types of alarms. We recommend you decide
the cost effectiveness of installing any alarm system,
then contact several reputable alarm companies for estimates.
When you compare estimates be certain comparable goods,
materials and services are given so you may be certain
that the lowest estimate is your correct choice. City
of Akron Ordinance requires an alarm permit.
PLAN AHEAD WHEN LEAVING FOR VACATION OR EXTENDED ABSENCE
Newspapers, flyers, and a build up of mail are sure
signs to a burglar that the home is unoccupied. Arrange
with a neighbor to pick up the newspapers, flyers, and
mail. Apartment dwellers should also follow this recommendation.
• Have someone mow your lawn or shovel your walk.
• Leave a key with a trusted neighbor or relative.
Have them vary the position of the shades and/or drapes.
• Don’t publicize your planned absence.
• Contact
the Akron Police Department and let them know you
will be gone for an extended time and who will have
a key if needed in an emergency.
THE CONTENTS OF YOUR HOME
• Don’t keep large sums of money in the
home.
• Mark your valuables with your Social Security
Number, record serial numbers and make an inventory
of the items. A second copy should be kept in a secure
location outside the home.
ADDITIONAL RECOMMENDATIONS
Join a neighborhood block watch. If one is not established
in your neighborhood, start one. Phone the Akron Police
Department, Crime Prevention Unit, (330) 375-2390, we
will be happy to assist you.
A FINAL THOUGHT
Although the Akron Police Department recommends procedures
for making your home and garage burglar resistant, there
is no guarantee your home will not be entered. However,
by implementing the recommendations, you will be practicing
the 4 D’s of crime prevention.
• DETER THE BURGLAR
• DELAY THE BURGLAR
• DENY THE BURGLAR
• DETECT THE BURGLAR
If,
despite taking these suggested precautions, you discover
your home has been burglarized, do not enter your home.
Call the police 9-1-1 or (330) 375-2181 from a safe
location and stay outside of your home until it has
been searched and is known to be safe for your entry.
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