MPCA Monticello Page Community Association

Key Strategies to Enhance Vehicle and Home Security

Making these suggestions a Daily Routine will enhance home security.

Vehicles. Park vehicles in the garage and close-the overhead doors. Take your vehicle keys with you into the house; do not leave in your vehicle even in the garage. Close/lock all vehicle windows/doors when you park anywhere including your driveway. Never leave valuables/packages in the vehicle particularly if they can be scen. Park in well-lit areas if possible.

The 5 Most Common Home entry Points

Up to 30% of burglaries happen when a thief simply enters through an unlocked door!

- Front Door- 34 % of burglaries enter through the front door because it is unlocked or by breaking glass or kicking the door in due to lack of deadbolt locks.

- Back door/Sliding Glass Door-Single locks on the handle will not secure a sliding glass door. Deadbolt locks on regular doors in the rear are also important.

- Garage-Most people will secure their home but not pay as much attention to the garage, i.e. deadbolt locks on the walk-in door, keeping the overhead door closed during the day when not in use and at night.

- First floor windows-23% of burglars enter here through mostly unlocked windows.

- Second Floor windows-when first floor is locked burglars will access unlocked windows on the second floor.

Source: Pro-Tech Security Internet site.

Lock doors/windows. Lock the door between the garage and the house at night. If you tend to keep your overhead garage doors open during the day at least lock the door into the house. Not leaving the house again or it is starting to turn dark close your garage door. Working alone in the front yard? No one else is home? Is the back door/garage secure? Reinforce all entry points with deadbolt locks and lock them (including your small walk-in garage door). Do you have a dog door to the outside? Get rid of it. Secure sliding deck doors with pins and/or rods. A single handle lock on a sliding door will not hold.

Spare Keys. Avoid hiding spare keys in obvious places (under a rock, flower pot, under door mat, etc.). Instead consider giving a spare key to a trusted neighbor or friend. Maintain good Lighting. Keep your property well-lit, especially around entry points and vehicles parked outside. Use motion-sensor lights to illuminate dark areas, making it difficult for burglars to approach unnoticed. Routinely check to make sure your lights are working. If you notice a street light out, please report it by calling LGE or file the report online!

Create the Illusion of Occupancy. When you are away use timers to turn on lights, radios, or tv's to give the impression that someone is home.

Trim landscaping. Keep trees and bushes trimmed to eliminate hiding spots for intruders. A clear view of your property from the street can prevent break-ins.

Solicitors. If you do not know who is at your door do not open and engage in a conversation. Ifall home owners in Monticello Place refused to answer their door for solicitors it may serve as a deterrent. We have signs at the entrances prohibiting solicitations and JTown does not issue permits for our subdivision. Solicitors hanging around the neighborhood can determine who is home and who is not during the day for potential burglaries.

Get to know your Neighbors. Building a community network can enhance security. Neighbors can watch each other's property and report suspicious activities particularly when we are not home. Bring in package deliveries asap. If you are not home when a package is delivered ask a neighbor to pick it up for you.

Communication. Avoid oversharing on social media about your upcoming trip! Avoid posting pictures about all your fun and locations while you are still away on vacation! All of this is a sure sign you are not home. Share experiences once you return.

Mail/Packages. Either have mail stopped while you are away or have a neighbor collect daily. Mail and packages piling up is a sure sign of an empty house.

Install Security Systems. Consider investing in a comprehensive security system that includes alarms, motion detectors, window sensors, and surveillance cameras. Visible security cameras whether real or dummy can deter burglaries from targeting your house. A simple security system sign has proven to be a good deterrent (PS place a sign in the front AND back yards). Already have a security system? Great turn it on and use it!

Regularly review and update your security measures to adapt to new threats and ensure your home remains a safe haven. Share security measures with all who live in or use your home. Discuss your expectations with young adults. A little common sense can make everyone safer and protect your belongings.

Source: Various Internet sites, personal experiences and knowledge of Board Members.

(Statistics source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting; Lighting/Locks: Department of Justice NCJ Report.)

Works Cited

Federal Bureau of Investigation. “Burglary Statistics.” *Uniform Crime Reporting Program”, FBI, https://ucr.fbi.gov

U.S. Department of Justice. “Home Security and Crime Prevention.” NCJ 135308, Office of Justice Programs, https://ojp.gov