Keeping your property safe requires situational awareness. Learning to recognize when and how your items are at risk is the first step to ensuring that you won’t become the victim of a burglary. IPD would like to offer the following guidance to help you deter thieves.

Securing Your Garage

For many families, a garage is more than just a covered space to park cars — it’s a storage area for a variety of valuable items, including lawnmowers, camping gear, bicycles and power tools. As such, it presents an equally valuable target for thieves, especially if it can be used as a starting point to gain access to the rest of your home. To secure your garage against theft, try to adhere to the following:

• Install a security system so that any attempts at forced entry will notify the proper authorities in a timely manner.
• Cover any windows looking into your garage so no one can see what’s inside.
• Before you leave, lock the door leading from your garage into your home.
• Install motion-sensitive lights around your garage in order to discourage potential intruders.
• Make sure to always shut garage doors. Intelligent timers can be a good preventive measure in case you forget, as these timers can be programmed to close after a certain amount of time. If you see a neighbor’s garage has been open for a prolonged period, give them a call. Being proactive is the key to a safe environment.
• Finally, don’t leave your garage remote in a place where a thief can easily locate it, such as the front seat of your car. In fact, many opportunistic burglars also find items left in cars to be easy—and lucrative—targets.

Remove It or Lose It

The brief moment you’re away from your car provides a thief ample opportunity to gain access to your vehicle and steal items left in plain sight. Items typically stolen include:

• GPS devices
• Cellphones
• Purses and wallets
• Laptops
• Portable video games
• MP3 players
• Gifts
• Cameras
• Cash, coins and credit cards
• Paperwork and receipts
• Sunglasses
• Jewelry and other valuables

The easiest way to keep your items is to remove your belongings or secure them out of sight, preferably in your trunk. Try to put any such items away before you get to your final destination, so others aren’t aware that they are in the back of your car. Most importantly, lock your vehicle!

Safe at Home

Recently, the Irvine Police Department has responded to calls regarding residential burglaries. Some burglars will knock on the door of a residence to see whether the occupant is home before trying to enter. If a stranger knocks at your door, indicate that you are home but cannot come to the door by saying, “No sales visits, please” or “Not interested.” Remaining quiet can imply that no one is home and that the path is clear for a burglar to break into your home. Burglars take the path of least resistance, and if they know your home is occupied, they will likely try a different house. If your verbal command is unsuccessful in prompting the stranger to leave, call 911.