Schools are out and it’s time for the summer vacation and trips. It’s time to get out of Dodge to recharge and enjoy some time away from home with the kids and family.
It is all fun and games until you return home and find someone has broken into your house, barn, or cars. Discovering your home has been broken into is incredibly violating. Your safe space has been violated, and your valuables have been taken from you.
So, what can I do to keep my residence, cars, barns, and other belongings safe? Most criminals do their homework. They know when a house and or property are frequented. If you have a place in the country, you only visit monthly, chances are a crook has noted this as well.
If you’re going to be gone for a period of time here are a few essential steps you can use to protect your home and property. No. 1 is locking your doors to your house, vehicles, and outbuildings. A lot of crimes are of opportunity; the crook finds an open door, and you become an easy mark to be a victim as they rummage through your vehicle and other belongings. Most of the motor vehicle break-ins in the Trinity area are the result of the vehicles being left unlocked.
No. 2, put up cameras. Cameras are very cheap today and easy to install. Cameras often deter crooks. Cameras are the number one tool law enforcement uses to assist with solving crimes. You can get alerts and view your residence live.
Also, it is wise to turn off your main water valve to prevent flood damage and unplug electronics to protect them from power surges. If you can get someone to house sit, this is probably the easiest fit to keep others believing someone is home and the residence is not vacant.
The key is to make the residence looked lived in. Timers on lights, newspapers and mail picked up. The trash cans moved back up to the house in lieu of staying at the curb. Lastly, let your local law enforcement agency and a neighbor (one you trust) know you will be out and request extra patrol around your house and neighborhood.
These few essential steps can protect your home and provide you with a sense of security while you are away.
Call us if you need us.
Steven Jeter is Chief of Police of Trinity.
