By Captain Robert Hahnlein, CV Sheriff’s Station

 We all want to feel safe and secure in our own homes. Although La Crescenta has historically been a safe community, burglaries still occur and we all can do something to eliminate an easy opportunity. It is important to take precautions to ensure your house is safe and secure during all hours of the day and night and anytime you leave your home.

I would suggest taking a quick walk around your home to look for easy access points. Look at it as if you wanted to attempt to make an entry. Look at windows to see if they can be easily pried open. Are all your doors properly secured? Keep your shrubbery trimmed below window levels. Bushes make great places to hide. Planting thorny shrubs near windows can make it difficult to break-in and can also be painful for a burglar.

Store expensive items, such as barbecue grills, cars and bicycles, in your garage. Many thieves look for easy items to roll away. Install motion sensor lights around your home. There are many options offered. There are now solar models available that can be readily installed.

Get to know your neighbors. They are one of your best assets in burglary prevention because they offer an extra set of eyes. Let a trusted neighbor know when you may be out of town. They can collect your mail and any newspapers. They can usually spot a stranger quickly and monitor their movements.

Consider starting a neighborhood watch program. This will give everyone an opportunity to get to know your neighbors better. Your local sheriff’s station can send personnel to your group to provide insight on how to recognize a burglary in progress, what information to give to law enforcement when calling 9-1-1, and what to do in case of an emergency.

Keep fences, gates and garage doors locked. Always invest in a quality padlock for each gate. Try not to leave your garage door open and unattended. Prying eyes are always looking for opportunities. On the inside of your home, secure your valuables in a home safe or lock box. Sliding doors can be secured using a wood dowel or metal rod in the door track to prevent them from being pried open. Always lock your front door, even if you plan on being away for a few minutes. Home security or camera systems are now very affordable and rather easy to install. Having a few interior lights on variable timers may deter a burglar because it appears someone is home.

Installing large, reflective house numbers can greatly assist deputies when they respond to your home. If they cannot find your home, it costs valuable seconds that could be used to apprehend criminals. Be careful what you post on social media. Criminals monitor social media sites and look for those who are away on vacation.

The bottom line is we all want to be safe in our homes and community. If we can deter criminal activity, it makes it safer for everyone.