Property crime continues to be the most reported crime in Orange County, but there are many steps you can take to safeguard your home. While the Sheriff’s Department is a proponent of installing home security systems and surveillance cameras, these are not always cost-effective solutions for everyone.
This doesn’t mean you can’t effectively protect your property. Here are some things you can do right now to prevent your home from being an easy target:
- Keep a well-maintained yard and lawn. Cutting back bushes and creating a front yard with high visibility is displeasing to burglars.
- Padlock your gate. If your back gate has a simple latch, consider buying a padlock at a local hardware store and locking it, even when you are home. Often time, burglars will test for easy-to-open gates to make entry into a home.
- Always lock doors and windows. Even on a hot day, don’t leave windows open when you are away from the home.
- Consider installing a security film on your doors and windows. The majority of home burglaries start with a smashed-in glass window or door. These films are a cost-effective way to prevent burglars from accessing your home.
- Enlist your neighbors. Communities with active Neighborhood Watch programs can be a strong deterrent to property crime. Even if your neighborhood doesn’t have a formal program, get to know your neighbors, look out for each other and report any suspicious activity.
