Royal Oak Police Department releases five tips on burglary and home invasion prevention

The Royal Oak Police Department has recently issued a press release advising residents how to prevent a burglary or home invasion. Take note of the following to help avoid potential thieves and burglars:

1. Close and lock windows. Royal Oak Police were interrogating a person suspected of burglary and home invasion when the thief revealed that he had chosen his targets based on open windows in the front of the homes he had driven by. Keeping windows closed and locked can help prevent being targeted by a burglar.

2. Light the exterior of the home. By keeping the outside of the home well-lit at night, a potential burglar or vandal will be deterred due to the high probability of being spotted by a neighbor or passing driver. Without the cover of darkness, the burglary becomes much more risky for a would-be thief.

3. Install glass block windows. Basement windows are, often times, found in the back of a home, where a thief can gain access without being seen. Glass block windows can be installed to remove a potential entry-point for burglars and act as a deterrent, as well.

4. Communicate with neighbors. The Royal Oak Police Department points out that communication among neighbors provides security to the community. Since the people actually living in the neighborhoods know the most about the day-to-day occurrences there, police rely on their information to prevent burglaries and to pursue burglars.

5. Become unattractive. The best way, overall, to avoid becoming a victim of a burglary or home invasion is to be proactive in making your home unattractive to burglars and thieves. Simple habits, such as keeping doors closed and locked even when you're just in the backyard, will help make your house an unattractive target for a burglary.

If you would like to learn more about your home's vulnerabilities, Royal Oak Police Department's Auxiliary Officers will provide you with a home security check. To schedule an appointment, call 248-246-3424.

You may also have Royal Oak Police check up on your home while you are on vacation. Just call 248-246-3500 to be placed on the vacation check list.

Sources:

http://www.ci.royal-oak.mi.us/portal/webfm_send/1148