Be a good neighbor! One of the most important things you can do is to call the police and report a crime or any suspicious activity. To keep our communities safe, you can help by being the eyes of your neighborhood. If you observe a crime or any activity that is not normal for the area, please call the police. Our non emergency number is (415) 553-0123. If there is an emergency, please call 9-1-1 immediately.
When making your call, please provide as much information and as many details as possible. Please refer to our picture below for the examples of information and descriptions that would be the most helpful. Remember, you can always remain anonymous!
Stay Safe! Protect yourself from burglaries:
- Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times and call the Police when you see something suspicious or out of character.
- Make your home look occupied and make it difficult to break in such as keeping all your outside doors locked.
- Double check that all outside doors and windows are locked and secured before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors and make it a habit!
- Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect a few lamps to automatic timers and set them to automatically turn on and off during the day and evenings.
- Keep your garage door closed and locked. Also lock any doors that lead from the garage to the main part of the house. Don’t leave garage door openers in your vehicle.
- Don’t allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
- Routinely check your locks on the doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
- Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Be extra safe and install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
- Sliding glass doors are vulnerable! Look into getting special locks for better security.
- Windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
- Don’t forget to secure the backyard area, especially if your house is on the corner and open to public access.
Don’t Tempt a Thief:
- Items are best left out of sight and stored indoors. Things such as lawn mowers, barbecues and bicycles are often tempting targets of theft.
- Always lock your garden sheds, garages, and any doors that lead to and from the backyard.
- Use curtains on garage and basement windows as well as other area where suspects can look in and spy on you.
- Never leave notes on your door such as “Leave Package…” for deliveries which would indicate that you aren’t home.
Locks…Get the Best:
- No lock, regardless of its quality, can be truly effective. Key-in dead bolt locks provide minimum security. Ask a locksmith for advice on your situation. It is also very important to check how sturdy your door sill is, as they may need additional reinforcement. When doors are forced open, such as being kicked, it’s the door sill that often gives way.
- Change locks immediately if your keys are unaccounted for such as being lost or stolen. It’s also best to change your locks if you’re moving into a new home.
Securing Outside:
- Have adequate exterior lighting. A motion-sensitive light is recommended for backyards.
- Trim trees and shrubs so that they cannot be used as hiding places for intruders.
- Make sure your door hinges are on the inside.
- Security Cameras: Make sure you hide the recording unit or subscribe to a service.
Windows:
- Most windows can be pinned for security.
Alarms:
- An alarm and/or surveillance system is excellent for home security. It provides peace of mind to homeowners, especially while on vacation. There are a wide variety of alarm systems on the market.
- Make several inquiries to different companies for the best security system available to you.
- If you have a home alarm system, use it! Activate your alarm system — Alarm systems are only useful when you remember to activate them. Many individuals have alarm systems but do not arm them because it is inconvenient. Many burglars know this and will not be deterred by a window sticker or sign indicating that the home has an alarm system.
If Your Home Is Broken Into:
- Do not enter – the perpetrator may still be inside.
- Use a neighbor’s phone to call police.
- Do not touch anything or clean up until the police have inspected for evidence.
- Write down the license plate numbers of any unfamiliar or suspicious vehicles.
- Note the descriptions of any suspicious persons.
- Find a safe place to wait for the police to arrive and investigate.
Other precautions you should take:
- Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other “secret” hiding places — burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
- Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions! Include a description of the items, date of purchase, original value, serial numbers and keep a copy in a safe place away from home — this is also a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
- Be a good neighbor. If you notice anything suspicious in your neighborhood, call 9-1-1 immediately.
- Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number with an engraver. Marked items are harder for a burglar to dispose of and easier for police to recover.
- Form a Neighborhood Watch Group. We can help you work with your neighbors to improve security and reduce risk of burglary.
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