Home Security

Most residential burglaries are crimes of opportunity. The burglars devote relatively little time to advance planning. The more you do to keep your home from looking like an easy target, the safer it is. These listed will not guarantee safety, but they will minimize criminal opportunities.

Safety tips for your home or apartment:

Ø      Have your residence properly marked with your numerical address.

Ø      Have lights at all entrances and all sides of the residence.

Ø      Have a wide-angle door viewer on all exterior doors.

Ø      Have good locks on all doors and windows-----(USE THEM)

Ø      Do not use your full name on your mailbox, in the telephone directory, or on your answering machine.

Ø      Do not leave a schedule of your times away from home on your answering machine.

Ø      Know which of your neighbors you can trust and depend upon in an emergency.

Ø      Check who is at the door before opening it, and do not open the door to an unexpected visitor.

Ø      Don’t hide extra keys in easily accessible places. Criminals will find them.

Ø      Ask for photo identification of all repair persons. If you are suspicious, call to verify employment.

Ø      Never give personal information to telephone solicitors.

Ø      Consider creating a “safe room” with a separate telephone line or cellular phone, and strong locks. If someone breaks in, you can retreat there and call for help.

Ø      Do not open the door to, or allow strangers into your home or apartment to use the telephone. Offer to make the call for them.

Ø      Use security bars for added security on sliding exterior doors.

Ø      Keep shrubs and hedges trimmed back from windows, and entrances to the residence.

Ø      If your residence is equipped with an alarm, test it monthly to make sure it is accurately working.

It is also suggested to make an inventory of all your valuables. Include the make, model, serial number and description. If possible engrave these items with your driver’s license number followed by the state. If they are too small to engrave take pictures and list descriptions.

If the Putnam County Sheriff’s Office can be of any assistance to you please contact Deputy Rob Pinner at 386-326-2760 or Deputy Jehonathan Peters at 386-326-2719.