Full Notification

Residential Burglary Defense Tips

Recently during the late morning and early afternoon hours, numerous residences have been burglarized. Suspects forced entry through windows and/or doors to gain access and remove property. The losses were primarily electronic equipment (TV’s, computers, gaming systems).

Some tips to protect your home are:
• Leave lights on automatic timers.
• Make sure all trees/shrubs are trimmed near all doors and windows where intruders might hide. Add exterior lights that are activated by motion sensors.
• A nosy neighbor is a burglar's worst enemy. Get to know your neighbors and work out an arrangement to watch each other's houses. Let them know when you will be gone and whether any deliveries are expected during your absence. Have them open and close blinds and turn on different lights periodically.
• Don't hide your keys on your property.
• Burglars like to work quickly, so try to slow down their path into and around the house. You can accomplish this with:
o Deadbolt locks
o Window locks
o Bars placed in the tracks or track locks on all sliding glass doors and windows (if they would not impede your escape in an emergency).
• Store jewelry and other valuables in a safe hiding place, like a safety deposit box.
• Go through each room and write down a list of possessions, including serial numbers. Take pictures of your valuables and keep them in a safe place or with a friend or relative. This will help in the event of a burglary.

This Crime Alert is to inform the Burbank community of this crime trend and to remind residents to take precautionary steps to secure their residence when they leave for the day. In addition, be aware of your surroundings, such as observing unknown people and vehicles in the area.

If you see any suspicious activity, please obtain as much information as possible about the individual(s) and/or vehicle, and then contact the Burbank Police Department directly at 1-818-238-3000.