• Ensure there is adequate exterior lighting—motion-sensitive lights are recommended for backyards.

• Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to eliminate potential hiding spots for intruders.

• Verify that your door hinges are located on the inside.

• Always lock your side gates and entry gates.

• Make it difficult to scale your side gates and walls.

• Do not store ladders in the yard; keep them securely locked in the garage.

• Ensure that you activate your alarm system whenever your home is vacant, even if you are leaving for just a short period.

• For homes with a lot of glass, consider installing glass break detectors to provide an early warning in case of intruders.

Sliding glass doors are highly susceptible to break-ins. Special locks are available for enhanced security. Depending on the design, you may be able to place a dowel at the base of the doors to prevent them from opening. To prevent access by way of shattered glass, consider installing security window film on all windows and sliding glass doors.

While security cameras may not deter all criminals, they can provide valuable information to the police. They can also provide information about where your home is vulnerable to break-ins. There are many brands to consider. Neighbors have recommended Google Nest, ADT, and Deep Sentinel.

Always lock your vehicle. Keep your car clean and free of valuables. Car break-ins are often a crime of opportunity. Thieves will go from house to house checking for unlocked car doors. Also be aware that potential thieves can purchase a device that amplifies and relays the signal from your key fob, allowing them to open your car even if the keys are far away. Protecting your fob can stop hackers and potential thieves in their tracks. Store your keys in a signal-blocking pouch or metal box when not in use. In a pinch, you can wrap your key fob in aluminum foil. To prevent car theft, consider purchasing wheel and steering-wheel locks.

Operation Identification (Operation I.D.)

Operation Identification is a crime prevention program designed to deter burglary and increase the likelihood that stolen property will be recovered and returned to its rightful owner.

Participants permanently mark valuable items with a unique identifier, such as a driver's license number, making the property less attractive to thieves because it is more difficult to sell and easier for law enforcement to trace.

Here’s how to utilize this deterrent for “would be” burglars:

• Mark your valuables with your driver’s license number preceded by the letters “CA.”

• Post Operation I.D. stickers in doors and windows to warn housebreakers to stay away.

• Burglars don’t want marked merchandise because it is difficult to fence and evidence of guilt if they are caught.

• Mark your items as conspicuously as possible without defacing them.

• Photograph those items that cannot be engraved (jewelry, silverware, antiques).

• Operation I.D. also facilitates the return of stolen property when it is recovered.

Many residents in our neighborhood choose to enhance their home security by subscribing to 24/7 armed security patrols, in addition to the security alarm system monitoring. SSA Security Group and ADT offer subscription-based private security and on-call patrol services in our community.