Crime Prevention Tips for Homeowners during the Warm Weather Months
We generally like to relax during the warmer months of the year, but criminals are never on vacation, so take a little time to protect your property and valuables with these commonsense measures.
Deception Burglaries Blossom In The Spring
The Baltimore County Police Department is taking a proactive approach in alerting its citizens to certain crime trends that have occurred throughout the County in recent years. Unfortunately, this is the time when these types of crimes are known to occur.
Suspects, posing as legitimate workers, approach elderly homeowners at their residence with the intent of gaining entry under a seemingly legitimate role: local gas company, water department, cable company, tree trimmers, pavers, County inspectors, or government officials. One suspect will distract the homeowner while a second suspect will enter the home and search inside for valuables and cash.
Another type of ruse used to gain entry into the home is for a suspect to knock on the door and ask for a pen and piece of paper to leave the victim's neighbor a note. The suspect may appear to have difficulty writing the note, and will ask to come inside the house. Once inside the victim's house, the suspect will ask the victim to help write the note. As the suspect keeps the victim occupied, others enter the residence to remove money and valuables.
A variety of vehicles have been associated with these subjects including pickup trucks, vans, and sport utility vehicles.
Be particularly alert to anyone in your neighborhood looking to perform home repairs, or asking to gain entry into your home. Be sure to ask to see identification and let them know you are going to call and get authorization from their company before allowing them access. If they are legitimate, they won't mind the wait.
Remember, do not intervene, but call 911 immediately about suspicious activity.
Stop A Burglar: Lock Up When You Spruce Up
The Baltimore County Police Department reports that about one out of four burglaries in the County is through unlocked doors or windows. Stop these thefts. Lock up while you spruce up!
If you're out working in your garden these spring days, make sure you keep your doors locked. Carry a key with you and lock your front door and your back door. Some criminals specialize in stealing from homes when people are outside doing yard work.
When you finish with that yard work, remember to clean up and lock up behind you. When you put your rake and other tools in the shed, garage or basement, don't forget to lock the doors. An open door is an invitation to a thief. Deny criminals the opportunity to steal by securing your home and property.
And finally, if you do see anyone suspicious lurking around your neighborhood, dial 911, and let the police know. An officer can cruise through the area to check things out, and you don't need to provide your name: the call can remain confidential.
Neighborhood Awareness: The Key To Crime Prevention
Baltimore County Police are asking the public to remember that being a good neighbor can be one of the best crime prevention tools. This is particularly true at this time of the year when various criminals and con artists use the warm weather to take advantage of the elderly. Watchful eyes in the neighborhood can spot criminals and alert police and the community to their presence.
Spring is the time when "deception burglars" reappear in this region. Typically these are criminals on the move who begin working in the southern states and head north during the spring and summer to New England.
Deception burglars generally work in pairs. One member approaches the victim, pretending to be someone benevolent: perhaps a contractor looking for work or a utility worker out to test a system. The criminal may also pose as a family friend of a relative, or the friend of a neighbor. While that criminal distracts the victim, another moves through the house, seeking out valuables. Often the victim doesn't even know he or she has been victimized for hours or days.
Other criminals are con men, posing as contractors, who convince victims something is wrong with their home. They ask for payment in cash, do a shoddy job, and then disappear.
The elderly are the most likely targets of these criminals, since they tend to be trusting, and very concerned about their property, their relatives and their neighborhood.
Local residents can help their elderly neighbors by checking in on them, and keeping an eye on them. If, for example, a neighbor sees an elderly resident in conversation with a stranger, they could politely inquire about what is going on. If residents see strangers sizing up their neighbors' home, that could also be a sign something is wrong. In that case, a call to 911 will get an officer to the scene to check things out.
Involvement such as this builds stronger bonds between neighbors, and helps maintain safe neighborhoods.
Sheds And Garages: Lock 'Em Up
The Baltimore County Police Department wants to remind residents to lock their sheds and garages. Officials say the best deterrent to keep thieves from stealing your property is a lock and key. Don't assume you are safe from these unwanted people just because you are at home.
Oftentimes, burglars watch and wait to see where you are and what you are doing. Sheds and garages are often left open and unattended as we do yard work or other outdoor activities. The thief is counting on us to become lax in our security.
To avoid losing valuables, remember to close and lock doors to your garage, shed and home. This is especially true if you are in the front yard and the storage area is in the back. It takes almost no time for a thief to come and go with your property.
Take the time to reacquaint yourself with your old neighbors and meet the new ones. Why not suggest a neighborhood watch to protect and look out for one another's property. Let your neighbors know when a suspicious person has been spotted in your area. Neighbors working together for each other's well-being are the foundation for a happy community.
Make life difficult for a burglar, use locks and keys to protect your property. If you see a suspicious person or notice an unusual situation around your house or that of a neighbor, call 911.
Keep Patio Doors Locked
This time of year we all like to let the fresh air into our homes. And as the warm summer months approach we need to remember some summer safety tips to avoid those pesky summer pests: burglars.
Here are a few recommendations from the Baltimore County Police Department's Burglary Unit:
- Never leave a patio door unlocked while away from home. Security experts recommend a security bar placed between the sliding door and the doorjamb. These bars are often referred to as "Charlie bars." Don't assume that the latch on the door is secure enough to ward off a thief. Lock the door at night as well to keep out unwanted guests.
- Always lock windows on the first floor or ground floor. This applies even if there is an enclosed or screened-in porch. It takes so little time and effort to cut through screen mesh and gain access to a home or apartment.
- Always secure windows and doors in the basement. It can be easy to forget about this area of the house during the summer months when we're running in and out doing chores.
Some other areas to lock up when not in use: those sheds and garages. When not using them, lock them. Thieves often wait for residents to leave the area, if only for a moment, to raid the shed or garage. And don't forget to lock the windows of the garage too. If there is an entrance to the house through the garage, a thief can enter your residence while you are out tending to the garden or washing your car.
Enjoy all that summer has to offer but don't let your house become a target for burglars.
**The above tips have been copied from the Balto. Co. Maryland Police Dept. site. There are more tips, including shed, bikes, RV, and business security, which you can find on the following link:
http://www.baltimorecountymd.gov/Agencies/police/media/crimeprev_homes.html#deceptionburglaries
Baltimore County Police Department
Precinct 06 Weekly Significant Events Report
Significant Events Report for the week of April 11-17, 2011
Section One: Major Crimes - Robberies
(All Commercial, Street Robberies resulting in injuries, All Robberies related to trends)
Date Time CC Number Offense Location (Business & Victim Name) Synopsis Suspect Information
04/14/11 2030 11-104-1898 Robbery Amuskai Rd. and Chestnut Oak Rd. 21234
Suspect and an unknown black female approached the victim from behind. Suspect punched the victim in the face after refusing to give property. The suspect grabbed the victim’s property. The other suspect snatched the victim’s cell phone and stole the battery from it. Suspect was later located and arrested. 1 Female Juvenile Arrested #2 F/B, 16-18, 5-5, 120, black top, black pants.
Section Two: Major Crimes – Burglaries
All Commercial, Schools, Residential related to trends, Burglaries with high dollar value stolen / weapons stolen
Date Time CC Number Offense Location (Business & Victim Name) Synopsis Suspect Information
04/17/11 1400-1500 11-107-1156 1st Degree Burglary Unit block Murdock Rd. 21212
An unknown suspect entered the home and removed property from the living room. The victim’s oldest son was asleep in the residence when the incident occurred. There were no signs of forced entry. The front door was possibly left unlocked. Unknown
Section Three: Major Crimes – Miscellaneous
(Homicides, Rapes, 1st Degree Assaults, Threats on Officers or Public Officials)
Date Time CC Number Offense Location (Victim Name) Synopsis Suspect Information
04/13/11 - 04/13/11 11-103-0074 1st Degree Assault Cooperative Dr. & Walker Ave. 21212
Off. Heyman 5110 The suspect was operating a stolen vehicle. The suspect intentionally struck Officer Heyman’s marked patrol vehicle in an attempt to avoid apprehension. The suspect was arrested. Officer Heyman was not injured. 1 Adult Male Arrested
Email Alerts Spot Crime.com
2.00 Miles around 222 Dumbarton Road, Baltimore, MD 21212
Week of April 11 - 17, 2011
1st degree Burglary 4/17/11 5:28 PM xx blk. Murdock Road Inc.# 111071156