Diversional Burglary Prevention
We all experience moments of distraction. We get busy and have more than one thing on our minds. We only lose time when that happens. If we fall victim to offenders that use the art of distraction we can lose much more, including jewelry, cash and valuable family heirlooms. Seniors are common targets.
Never allow any worker without an appointment to enter your home. Cons may pretend to work for a well known established company or possibly the Village of Arlington Heights. This type of crime takes more than one offender. Cons will often use what sounds like a legitimate problem as a distraction while other offenders enter your home to commit a theft. If talking to subjects outside of your home make sure all exterior doors remain locked. Roof repair, window repair, natural gas leak, frozen pipes, tree trimming, gutter cleaning, snow removal and water meter checks are some prime examples.
Actual Arlington Heights Cases...
- Victim pulled into garage and was approached by offender explaining that there was a frozen water pipe in the neighbor's townhouse. The victim and offender went upstairs while the victim's wife was still downstairs. A second offender entered the residence and asked her to run water in the first floor bathroom. After both offenders left, the victim discovered over $14,000 in jewelry missing from the bedroom.
- Offenders rang the front door bell and told the victim she needed roof repairs. She was distracted and confused because the offender spoke rapidly. The first offender went upstairs while the second subject took the victim into the kitchen. She walked back to the stairs and met the offender coming down. She told them to leave. The victim discovered that her wedding/engagement ring set valued at $800 and a watch valued at $200 had been removed from the upstairs bedroom.
- Offender appeared at the victim's door claiming to be trimming trees in the area. He explained that the neighbor had asked him to trim back one of her trees. When the victim walked toward the back yard the offender had entered the residence and was next to her. They were looking out the back window when the offender received a cell phone call. He then left quickly out the front door. The victim later found approximately $400 missing from a bedroom dresser.
- Offender rang the door bell and asked the victim if he could remove the snow from her roof for $50. He walked into the house and asked if her neighbors might be interested. She asked if the offender could come back the next day and he left. The victim later found that a second offender stole one diamond ring and one gold wedding band valued at over $2,500.
- An offender claiming to be a village official asked to victim to accompany him to the back of her yard to ask her questions concerning Village street work. The subject talked for five minutes and then left. The victim later discovered two gold chains, one broach, one pendant and a diamond ring were all missing. The ring has a known value of $600.
Residential Burglary Prevention
Unfortunately, we are no longer living in the “good old days” when we could leave our doors unlocked, windows open and garage door up. Criminals are looking for those opportunities and more when picking a target. Your goal is to create a secure environment that a criminal will avoid - an attempt to break in is too much.
Burglary Facts...
- National average loss: $1,991 per offense (FBI 2007)
- 64% of residential burglaries occurred during daylight hours (FBI 2007)
- Force used in 63% of residential burglaries.
- Front door is the most common entry point
Prevention Tips...
- Address numbers should be clearly visible from the street – helps improve police and fire response times
- Exterior lighting: Automatic sensor lighting in front and motion detection lighting in back.
- Use solid core exterior doors with double key deadbolt locks (Min. 1” throw/3” screws).
- If a window is close to the door - keep the key a safe distance away.
- Install a door viewer if the door is solid.
- Sliding glass doors should have a burglar bar in the track.
- Landscaping – bushes should be 3’or lower and trees should be trimmed 6’ up. This will increase natural surveillance.
- Make sure alarm system is functioning properly
- Consider purchasing a safe for valuables and firearms. Secure safe to floor or wall.
- Make a list of your valuables, to include make, model and serial number.
- Make a video inventory of your property.
Vacation Tips...
- Make your home look like you are still there.
- Have several electronic devices on timers: lights, radio, television, etc.
- Have a neighbor or friend collect mail or newspapers. Do not stop these services; would you tell a complete stranger that you are on vacation?
- Have a neighbor park their vehicle in your driveway.
- Have your lawn and landscaping regularly maintained.
- During the winter, ensure your driveway and sidewalks are clear of snow.
- Leave your window treatments open
- Tell a trusted neighbor that you will be away so they can watch for suspicious activity.
- Never share your vacation information with taxi cab or limo drivers.
- Never post your vacation information on Social Media sites.
Reporting a Burglary
In the event you arrive home and find it forcibly entered – DO NOT ENTER. Go to a neighbor’s home and call 911. Stay there until police arrive and provide assistance as requested.
Contact the Arlington Heights Police Department Community Services Bureau Crime Prevention Officer for a free Home/Business Security Survey at 847.368.5300.
Vehicle Burglary Prevention
Would you leave a stack of $20 dollar bills sitting on the dashboard of your car while you were working, shopping, visiting a friend or just sitting inside your home? If you are like most people the answer is a resounding NO! But there are hundreds maybe even thousands of people in Arlington Heights each day that leave their GPS, radar detector, laptop computer, ipod, purse, briefcase or other valuables sitting in plain view on the car seat, dashboard or floor. The vast majority of the Vehicle Burglaries in Arlington Heights involve valuables in plain view being taken out of locked or unlocked vehicles parked in business, apartment, and condo parking lots, as well as, residential driveways and along village streets. These crimes can occur at anytime during the day or night .
Vehicle burglary is a crime of opportunity. There are three basic elements of a typical vehicle burglary:
- Vehicle parked outside and accessible to a potential criminal.
- Items of value (GPS, Radar Detectors, Purses, Computers, etc) are left in plain view.
- Offender either breaks window or opens unlocked door and removes items.
Prevention Tips...
- Use a garage if available.
- Remove all items of value from plain view, including the brackets or docking stations.
- Always close the windows and lock your car.
- Park your car in a well-lit area, where it can be easily and frequently viewed.
- Do not leave important papers including personal identification, check books, vehicle titles or a spare key in the car.
- Document all serial numbers and/or engrave property.
- Call 9-1-1 immediately to report any suspicious person(s), car(s) or activity.
- Do not confront suspicious subjects. Your personal safety is more valuable than any piece of property.
By following these recommendations we, as a community can reduce the incidents of vehicle burglary by limiting the offender’s desire to complete the crime.