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May 2014
RENFREW COLLINGWOOD COMMUNITY NEWS
Out and about in the yard? Lock out crime Easy, inexpensive and effective tips to protect from theft by Constable Heather Brown Spring has sprung, the grass has riz I wonder where the flowers is? Ogden Nashs’ poem reminds us that spring is upon us and many of us are heading outside to clean up our yards and finding just where our flowers is. Along with cutting the grass and planting our flowers, we are opening up our doors and windows to let in the fresh air and to feel the warmth of the sunshine. However, while we are enjoying the sense of springtime freedom, others are, too, but for different reasons. Thieves are out there looking for the easiest opportunities to steal. And, those opportunities exist where people leave doors or windows insecure and items left out in the yard. Did you know that last year, access in about half of our residential break and enters was gained through insecure doors and windows? That’s right, people just did not lock up. So to enjoy your spring and summer and to reduce the chances of being a victim of crime, the following tips are suggested to protect your property from break ins and thefts .Best of all, these tips require little effort and are very inexpensive and yet effective. • Keep your doors and windows locked whether you are in the house, out in the yard or just out. This includes locking those doors and windows on second floors. • Keep your shed and garage locked. • Do not leave valuable items such as keys or cell phones near doors or windows where they are easily seen and within easy reach. • Secure your sliding glass doors. This is easy and inexpensive. To do so, place a wooden dowel in the bottom track to prevent
the sliding door from being slid open. To prevent sliding glass doors from being lifted off the tracks, simply install two screws in the top track to a depth that still allows the door to slide but cannot be lifted high enough to be lifted out of the track. • Use motion sensor lights. • Keep trees and shrubs trimmed to ensure clear visibility. • Use gravel on pathways and garden beds as the sound caused when walking on gravel may discourage intruders. • When you finish your yard work, clean up and put away and secure all of your gardening equipment. This includes ladders, lawnmowers and trimmers. • Likewise, lock up and secure other outdoor items such as bikes. • Get to know your neighbours! This is one of the cheapest and most effective forms of crime prevention. Neighbours watch out for one another and recognize those people who do not belong. • Report crime and any suspicious behaviour the police. Oh, and did I say lock your doors and windows! Should you have any questions about target hardening your home, please call the staff at the Collingwood Community Policing Centre, just south of the Collingwood-Joyce Skytrain station, at 604-717-2935. Constable Heather Brown is a 26-year member with the Vancouver Police Department and is our neighbourhood police officer who works out of the Collingwood Community Policing Centre.