Recently, we have experienced an increase in burglaries in our community. Since October of this year, we have had four burglaries. Two of the burglaries occurred in Port Washington Estates. Two other burglaries occurred on Nov. 20 in the Salem area. Investigation reveals these burglaries have occurred between 4 p.m. and 8 p.m. and all the homes were dark. The method of entry varies, most often in the rear of the house through a window or sliding door and forced entry is almost always used. In addition, there have been reports of person(s) knocking on doors in the area prior to burglaries, possibly posing as soflicitors. I encourage you to look at the burglary tips below and spend some time evaluating the security of your home. If you have any questions, or need assistance, please contact Deputy Chief Robert Del Muro, commanding officer of patrol, at 516-883-0500, ext. 315, or Police Officer John Bellini, of the Problem Oriented Policing Unit, 516-883-0500, ext. 345.
• A dark house is an unoccupied house. A house with no light on at dinnertime tells burglars you are not at home.
• Do not leave all your valuables in your bedroom. Burglars typically check the bedrooms first.
• Make sure all doors and windows are locked when you leave, even if you have an alarm system. Lock the doors and windows even if you plan to leave only for a few minutes. Most burglars won’t attempt to break a secured window for fear of attracting attention.
• Secure any sliding doors. Make sure the lock is in working order. A steel rod in the door channel is helpful. For additional security, install two or three screws in the overhead track to reduce the chance of the door being lifted out of the track.
• Keep your garage doors closed and locked. This helps prevent access to the house and protects property stored in the garage.
• Make your home appear occupied by putting lights and televisions on timers when no one is home.
• Make sure the exterior of your house is well-lit. Exterior lights are important especially near the doors or in the rear of the house, where most burglars do their work.
• Outdoor lights should be on an automatic timer or have motion detectors.
• Keep your shrubbery trimmed. Thick tall shrubbery provides cover for a burglar to work undetected.
• If you have an alarm system, put up signs that say that you do. Do not use signs that hint at what type of equipment your system uses. Have your alarm serviced by a reputable technician. Use your alarm.
• Do not let people know you are not home by posting about it on the Internet or on voicemail.
Be an observant neighbor. Notify the police of any suspicious activity in your neighborhood. Residents and police are partners in solving these crimes. If you see something, say something! If you hear something, say something! Don’t wait—Dial 911. If you are unsure about whether to call, I encourage you to call.
—Submitted by James Salerno, Chief of Police,
Port Washington Police District
