Nottawasaga OPP say rural residential break and enters are increasing in 2019 and they have some tips to help prevent them.
Watching for suspicious activity is one of them. This can include checking for strange vehicles pulling into driveways and then leaving quickly or strangers knocking on your door and then excusing themselves, stating they are at the wrong address if you answer the door.
Homeowners are encouraged to:
– Ensure their doors and windows are securely locked when they are away from their home. Although this seems obvious, many people still fail to do this.
– Avoid leaving anything outside that could be easily accessible and used by a criminal to gain entry to the home.
– Remove hiding locations. Criminals love to make an entry in a location that is poorly visible to others. By removing vegetation that makes it difficult for others to see around your home, you lower the risk that they can make a silent entry.
– Install an alarm or video surveillance system.
– Don't advertise your valuables. Close your shades or pull your curtains across the windows when you leave to avoid criminals being able to see inside the home.
-If you see anything suspicious, call police.
