The last couple of months have been pretty quiet in our neighborhood but now the Holiday Season has arrived and so have the strangers on our doorsteps.
I received the following email from our neighbor across the street:
“hi susan......this is frank across the street........I have something to report that happened last night (Friday, Dec 11th).......around 6:30PM Lupe called me to say that there was a disorientated (or drunk) African American guy pounding on our front door....I was driving home from work, and was already only about a mile away. By the time I got there, he was gone...
She saw no car, and yes, should have called 911, but didn't.
Don't know if this is worth posting or not, but thought you should know anyway....”
Earlier in the week a woman approached our front patio gate and could not enter because we keep it locked. I opened the garage door to see what she wanted. She asked if I was “The Lady of the house” to which I replied “No, I’m the housekeeper (which is really not a lie)”. She then wanted to know when would be a good time to come back. I told her the owners did not open the door to strangers and that none of the neighbors on the court did either. I also informed her that she was being filmed. She left. I too should have called the police but didn’t.
We all know that the holidays are the time when more homes, cars and people are robbed. This is especially a good time to take extra precautions when arriving home, answering the door to strangers and being aware of our surroundings while out holiday shopping. Here are a couple of security steps that we should all try to remember:
Remember these important security steps:
- Install solid core doors, heavy duty locks, and window security devices
- Lock all doors, windows, and garages at all times
- Use four three-inch screws to secure heavy duty lock strike plates in the door frame
- Use the door peephole BEFORE opening the door
- Use your porch light to help you to see clearly outside
- Never rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
- Never open the door to strangers or solicitors
- Call the police if the stranger acts suspicious
- Alert your neighbors to suspicious solicitors
- Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans
- Set the home perimeter alarm at night, if you have one
Have a safe and wonderful Holiday Season and look out for your neighbors!
3 comments:
I just found your blog and the thing I love about my neighbors are they are nosey about everything in the neighborhood. This pretty much does away with any problems.
Looks like your cameras are not the best. What would recommend as good quality cameras ? Like you we are experiencing a huge amount of theft way up north in Smith River. Many meth heads and tweakers desperate to get their hands on anything they can sell.
My original reason for looking for a Concord Police blog was to warn folks that the Concord Police will send out a crew and paint the roads and curbs AFTER an accident so as to cover their ass. Carry a camera. This happened two times on the streets of Concord.
I use double dead bolt locks to slow down the amateurs, pros will pick the locks. I also slip in a metal plate in between the jamb and door frame. It has to have holes drilled in it to be strong. It involves a lot of work but the door won't break with one kick, making that "second sound" that alerts the neighbors.
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