City of Madras
Police Department
Home Security Tips
Many people fall victim to burglary in our area each year.
Take a look at the following information and don't make it
easy for a burglar to make you a victim.
A hollow or light weight door to any outside access can
be easily entered through by force. All of these accesses
should house a metal or solid wood door of 1 3/4" hard
wood.
Outside access doors should fit within the frame of which
they sit and there should not be any more than a 1/8th inch
clearance between any portion of the door and its frame. Metal
frames give more protection than wood frames and should be
considered whenever possible. Door hinges should always be
on the inside not allowing anyone from the outside to remove
the hinge pins.
Every door accessing the outside of a structure should have
good quality locks installed to include deadbolts. Sliding
glass doors should have a decent locking device at the handle
and you should place a board in the track of the door once
it is closed to prevent its being opened from the outside.
Remember the doors and windows you have on that second story
balcony. Thieves will climb up to them because people
frequently don't secure them as adequately.
Be sure to secure your residence every time you leave.
Burglars frequently enter homes un-obstructed thus making
you an easy target.
Ensure you door locks are placed far enough away from any
glass panels or other openings to prevent a would be
thief from reaching in and unlocking the door. As a
general rule, 40" should be an adequate distance.
Consideration should be given to windows. Those easily accessed
(lower to the ground) should be secured with a locking device.
Most windows come with some form of locking device that are
easily unlocked after breaking a window. There is a variety
of locking devices you can use to include a key lock preventing
the window from being opened without a key. Consider
the use of bars and/or grates over particularly vulnerable
windows.
Other Things to Consider:
Ensure areas of access are well lit at night. Most burglars
don't like to be in the spot light. Use motion sensors
that trigger a lighting system to come on when someone approaches
any one of a number of access areas around your house.
Place these type of lights out of reach if possible.
If you are gone for a long period of time, utilize indoor
light timers to give the appearance of occupancy. Have the
neighbor or a friend pick up the papers on your door step
as well as the mail from your mail box. Arrange to have
the snow shoveled from your driveway and walkways in the winter.
Turn the ringer down on your phone and turn the answering
machine volume down as well. Pick up the messages left
on your machine regularly while away to prevent a long tone
being played to those who are waiting to leave an additional
message. (most message machines have the capability
for you to retrieve your messages from another location)
Trim down those overgrown shrubs and bushes that are blocking
access areas from view of the public.
Don't hide keys outside of the house. It is better
to give a key to a friend or relative you can trust.
Thieves often check the common hiding places. (Don't
make it easy for them)
Don't carry your keys with any identifiable tags notifying
a would be thief of your exact location for a future burglary.
(Return to Menu)
How not to become a victim of vehicle theft
Auto theft is a common occurrence in most any town and Madras
is no different. It is very popular among criminals
because all too many car owners invite the criminals to take
their cars. There is a very simple solution that will minimize
your risk of becoming a victim of an auto theft. By
following these few steps, your car may not be as appealing
to a thief and therefore be overlooked.
1. Always secure your car when you walk away from it, no
matter what. Lock the doors and ensure the windows are rolled
all the way up.
2. Never leave the car running when you are not around it.
Even if the car is secured. Thieves will simply break
the window, unlock the door and drive your car away within
10 seconds. Don't make it so easy for them.
3. Many vehicles have been stolen in Madras when people
leave them running while they run into the store for a cup
of coffee in the morning on their way to work. Others
have been stolen when the owners were returning video rentals
to the store and left their cars running. Remember,
it only takes a couple of seconds to enter a car that is already
running and drive it away.
4. Never leave anything of value inside your car if you
can help it. By leaving your purse or wallet on the
seat or on the floorboard, you are asking for trouble. Even
if your car does not get stolen, you will end up with damage
to it and your property within taken. If you have to leave
valued items inside your car, utilize the trunk, or tuck them
somewhere out of site.
5. Outfit your car with a security alarm system. Most thieves
will not stick around when something loud is sounding and
attracting attention to them. Use a wheel locking device
other than the standard ignition lock. (CLUB) Many car thieves
will move on to another vehicle if they see additional security
devices within the car. Remember, they are looking
for easy targets. There are many different types of
security systems as follows:
Tapered door lock buttons, to keep thieves from using coat
hangers to open your car doors from the outside. High-security
ignition locks, which normally go around the steering column
housing (sometimes these are known as "cuff locks").
A "cane" or "J-bend" lock, which normally
hooks up the steering wheel and the brake pedal. External
and internal hood locks. These protect the battery from being
stolen too.
Other forms of theft prevention devices:
An ignition kill device, which interferes with the ignition
system even if the car is "hot-wired." A fuel cutoff
device, which shuts off the fuel after running for a few seconds.
All of these devices can be hidden. Install the best
type of alarm that you can afford (silent alarms, sound discriminators,
motion detectors, and computerized tracking transmitters are
among the high-end devices now available). Be sure to
advise potential thieves that you have an alarm by placing
warning stickers on your windows or windshields.
6. By blasting your new stereo off for everyone in the city
to hear it while you drive down the road is not only illegal,
but also attracts attention that may likely result in your
stereo or auto being stolen.
7. Don't place spare keys in a lock box and stick it under
your dash or in your visor,in the ash tray, glove box or under
the floor mat, etc... A good car thief knows most of
the common hiding places and is likely to find your special
place.
8. Park your car in well lit areas. Utilize your garage
if you have one and be certain to lock your vehicle within.
(Return to Menu)
Personal Safety
Tips
Remember, the key to staying safe is avoiding dangerous situations
by staying alert to your surroundings and learning what situations
can become potentially dangerous!
On
Foot Safety
ATM Safety
Basic Rules Of Personal Safety
Other Personal Safety and Crime Prevention Information From
Crime Prevention Initiatives
* Looking
After Your Home
* When
You Are Away From Your Home
* Personal
Safety / Safety In Your Home
* Safety
Out Doors
* Taxis
and Public Transport
* Safety
When Driving
(Return to Main Menu)
Safety Tips When On
Foot
Walk on busy streets and avoid alley ways and secluded areas
especially at night. Walk in a well lit area whenever possible.
If you can help it, try not to jog or walk alone at night.
If you must, then consider a form of pepper spray to carry
with you. This is a very effective safety device that can
be palmed in your hand while you run/walk.
Carry your purse close to your person. Do not carry valuables
with you. A small purse is a good idea.
(Return)
Safety At An ATM
ATM use during the day is much safer than at night when the
streets are mostly empty.
Take a good look around you for any suspicious persons hanging
around the area in view of you and the ATM. If you locate
a suspicious person, do not make a withdrawal.
Drive through ATM's are no different. Observe the
area while pulling up to the ATM. Keep your doors locked
and check your mirrors for people walking up behind you.
Be prepared to drive away quickly if necessary. Preplan your
stop to reduce the amount of time at the machine.
Avoid making withdrawals at ATMs in isolated areas, especially
at night.
Place the money received from an ATM out of sight immediately
and do not count out your money until later.
(Return)
Basic
Rules Of Personal Safety
Always maintain an awareness of what is happening around
you. Don't let surprise over take you. Be prepared.
If you look like a victim, you will attract attention to yourself.
Show confidence in your actions.
Go with your gut feeling and instincts. If something
doesn't feel right, then leave the area. Better safe
than sorry.
(Return)
Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design
Landscaping - Landscaping can
be used to define territory, control access and reinforce
ownership. Remember bushes that provide you with privacy,
also give the burglar a place to hide. Do not leave
ladders or tools outside. Avoid high solid fences, walls
and hedges.
Answer the following questions:
- Are shrubs trimmed down for natural surveillance? (recommended
maximum height of three feet)
- Are trees trimmed up for natural surveillance? (recommended:
provide visual clearance below six feet in height)
- Are there any landscaping/lighting conflicts? (Trees
and shrubs trimmed that block light fixtures or interfere
with lighting patterns.)
- Does your landscaping eliminate adult size hiding places
near windows and doors?
- Are plantings low enough not to allow access to windows
or roof tops?
- Do plantings block visibility for windows and doors?
Fences - Even if part of your
yard is fenced, it may prevent some burglaries. A burglar
likes a clear path of escape and fences slow him/her down.
A six foot fence with a strong padlock and hasp on the gate
will keep all but the most determined burglar out. A
sturdy or thorny hedge will serve the same purpose.
Keep tables, chairs, and any items which could be used as
a stepping stone away from fences.
(Return to Menu)
Take a bite out
of crime:
(Check out these pages, select from navigation panel
to the left to return or simply utilize the backspace button
on your browser)
Violent crime and personal safety
Home and neighborhood safety
Fraud and identity theft
Internet safety
(Return to Menu)
Madras Police Department
541-475-2424 (after hours you may leave a message in our voice
mail for any particular Officer)
E-mail:
madraspd@madras-pd.us
|
