safercommunities We live in a great part of Auckland and pride ourselves on our well-kept streets and quiet cul-de-sacs.
This however breeds complacency. Once again thieves and burglars are making the most of the relaxed home security habits of local residents. Thieves do drive around our neighbourhoods looking for any easy opportunities that we have provided for them. They also think we live in good neighbourhoods and have nice homes full of valuable items for the taking. Let’s try and make things difficult for these thieves: if we don’t provide them with easy pickings, they won’t come to our neighbourhood. Don’t leave your garage door open displaying your lawnmowers, bikes etc. If you aren’t in the garage, shut (and lock) the doors. Keep the front door locked. Most of us walk in the house and put our wallets, keys and handbags down on the closest surface. (The bad guys know this and will open front doors lean in and take what they see). Don’t leave windows open when you’re not home. A lot of houses are entered through windows left open to air the house when we are out. Security stays on windows are designed to provide security for you to leave the windows open when you are home. (They are not designed to be burglar proof).
Do you have CCTV installed and know how to use it? In the unfortunate circumstances that you have valuable items stolen, would you be able to identify them if located by police? Have your tools and robust items engraved. We recommended that you engrave your driver’s licence number on these items as it never changes and allows police to easily track down the legitimate owners. Photographing jewellery and small items is an easy, simple way of providing both Police and your insurance company with good description of items. If writing down serial numbers is too tiresome you can photograph these to have on hand if needed. Have a local security company visit for a no obligation quote to make your home safe. If you don’t know a trusted firm contact Neighbourhood Support or Age Concern for a recommendation of a trusted company. Knowing your neighbours provides a sense of community and belonging. Have you met your neighbours? Neighbours who look out for each other and question any suspicious visitors will deter thieves and prowlers. Is there a Neighbourhood support group operating in your neighbourhood? Contact your Rodney coordinator to find out. 0800 9 420 111 or 021 258 3737 rns.coordinator@gmail.com
Please lock your car when parked on the driveway or in the garage. Vehicles contain lots of valuables; and being parked in the drive doesn’t make them exempt from thieves.
Constable Michael Brown Orewa Community Constable
Orewa Police Station | 4 Riverside Road | Orewa P 09 426 4555 | E MBX747@police.govt.nz
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www.totalsecuritygroup.co.nz 10/5/2016 5:37:54 PM
