Full Notification

BURGLARY PREVENTION TIPS FROM THE BEVERLY HILLS POLICE DEPARTMENT

With a small amount of preparation, you too can thwart would-be burglars:

1. CHECK YOUR LOCKS
In almost half of all completed residential burglaries, thieves
enter through unlocked doors or windows. Commit to
locking every door and window every time you’re not home.
-- Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
- Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
- Sliding glass doors are vulnerable. Special locks are available.

2. SECURE OBVIOUS ENTRANCES
94% of successful burglars enter through the ground floor. 70% enter through the front or back door. Concentrate your efforts on making these areas as secure as possible.
Consider installing:
- Flood lights on every entry door.
- Dead-bolts on every entry door.
- Peep holes on every entry door

3. MAKE YOUR PLACE LOOK OCCUPIED
Burglars prefer to target residences that are unoccupied. Create the illusion that you’re home by:
- Setting interior lights, TVs and stereos on timers.
- Parking your spare vehicle in your driveway instead of your garage.
- Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
- Arrange for your lawn to be mowed if you are going away for an extended time.

4. DITCH THE HIDDEN KEY
That spare key under your doormat is a free pass to any would-be thief. Instead, give your spare key to a neighbor you trust. Burglars know where to look for hidden keys.

5. CONSIDER AN ALARM SYSTEM
In a survey of 400+ career burglars, 83% said they would determine if an alarm was present before attempting a burglary. If you’re seriously concerned about the safety of your home, a home security system can be a powerful deterrent. And if you have an alarm system, use it!

OTHER TIPS
- Keep your garage door closed and locked.
- Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.

DON'T TEMPT A THIEF:
- Lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are best stored out of sight
- Always lock your garden sheds and garages.
- Use curtains on garage windows.
- Never leave notes on your door such as “Gone shopping.”
- Trim trees and shrubs so they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.

IF YOUR HOME IS BROKEN INTO:
If you come home to find an unexplained open/broken window or door:
- Do not enter - the perpetrator may still be inside. Use a cell phone or neighbor's phone to call police.
- Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
- Write down the license plate numbers of any suspicious vehicles. Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.

AND FINALLY:
Be a good neighbor. Watch for suspicious persons or activity. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.