Home Invasion and Prevention: Burglary Prevention

Burglary is a a crime of opportunity. If you make a burglar's work risky and difficult, you stand a good chance of stopping them before they get inside your home.

To a burglar visibility means vulnerablity. Use picket fences or chain link fences and keep hedges clipped low to give them less places to hide.

Burglars try doors and windows first. If they have a difficult time here, chances are they will move on to another house.

Doors:

Locks: The strongest are deadbolt locks* with a minimum 1" throw bolt containing a hardened, saw-resistant steel insert. The double cylinder deadbolt lock requires a lock a key from both sides, preventing a burglar from breaking glass in the door and turning the knob. *Remember- a double cylinder dead-lock can also block your exit in an emergency. Check with your local law enforcement agency or building inspector to see if these locks are permitted in your area.

Hinges: Modify the hinges of doors that swing out so that the door will remain bolted to the frame even if a burglar tries to lift the door out.

Padlocks: Overhead doors, receiving doors, garage doors — all are typically secured
with padlocks and hasps. Look for sturdy padlocks that don’t release the key until the
padlock is closed.

Door Construction: Burglars can kick in a weak door. Replace hollow core doors with
solid core doors, or strengthen the existing ones with metal sheets.

Windows:

Protect windows by putting grates, grill work, or bars over them; or cover the glass on the
inside with a clear polycarbonate sheet. Unbreakable safety glass is also available, but it is more expensive.

Other Enterances:

Skylights, ventilation ducts, and fire escapes tempt burglars because these openings
usually are not visible from the street. Protect skylights and ducts with metal grates and
iron bars. The first stair of a fire escape should be too high for the average adult to reach
from the ground. The door or window leading to the escape should be equipped with
emergency exit features: window guards should be removable or hinged to allow for an emergency exit. Keys to locked windows or door should be kept nearby.

Lighting:

Light is a great crime deterrent. Light up all dark areas, especially doors and windows.

Alarms:

After installing an alarm, let burglars know
by putting warning signs in windows and entrances.

Every alarm system should include:
• a fail-safe battery backup
• fire-sensing capability
• a feedback device to check the system

For an expert appraisal of your security needs, ask for a premise security survey by your
local law enforcement agency, or check with a reputable security consultant.

Operation Identifcation:

Mark your property with your California driver’s license number (preceded by the letters
“CA”).

Then put Operation I.D. decals (obtained from your local law enforcement agency)
on all windows and doors to warn burglars that your property can be traced.

Article by: Daniel E. Lungren Attorney General
Crime and Violence Prevention Center
California Department of Justice