[senior citizen]

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[Vladimir]

Originally Posted by tucson

There's a lot of drug dealing and drug addicts here and everywhere, first of all. That's the main reason for break-ins, muggings, robberies, shoplifting, etc.etc, etc. Let's not pretend that we are free of it just b/c we live in a pretty community. Just be aware of everything in and around your daily activities. I've been a victim of a break-in and also a physical attack yrs ago,(not in TV) and b/c of the bad experience it has made me very cautious all the time when around ppl I don't know. Be also aware of the fact that anyone can drive through TV neighborhoods, the word is out re;the fact that 100,000+ retired folks live here with a lot of assets. The thieves know this also, just be ALERT. We must not be in denial that all is safe in "the bubble".

So true - criminals go to the money areas.

[RhondaJones]

So let's not panic. Be aware of your suroundings; that means be a nosey neighbor and look out your windows! In the evening, light is always a deterrent. Going out? Close your blinds. Don't "hide" your jewelry in your sock or underware drawer. Keep your doors locked.

Don't get a false sense of security from the entry gates into communities. Our streets are public and the "manned gates" are a joke. The same is mostly true of an alarm system unless you have a 'good' camera to back it up. By the time the cops come, the bad guys are long gone.

Turn any anger or uncomfortable feelings and thoughts into something constructive. Let's not get paranoid. If we are all diligent, we can help one another.

Great tips that everyone should be following for sure. The more aware everyone is, the harder it will be for these criminals to keep going as they are.

Here's a few more safety ideas...

Keep ALL your doors locked. Criminals love it when they can just waltz right in your home.

I don't recommend keeping your valuables in the sock drawer, but if you MUST keep them in the house, keep them somewhere other than the master bedroom. Sometimes criminals will ransack the master bedroom and leave the others alone or not search them as thoroughly.

Keep the front of your home lit-up at night. The majority of residential burglaries and home invasions occur by kicking the front door open. Keep in mind the above mentioned cockroach theory about lights.

Use motion sensor lights in your back yard and on the sides of your house. Remember: Criminals will usually avoid lights at night. Motion activated lights sometimes gives the appearance that the homeowner is home and alert to something going on. They also alert you when someone is somewhere where they’re not supposed to be. They also aid police when searching for criminals on the run.

Keep your shades or drapes closed when not at home and at night when you are home. Being able to see inside your house will make it easier to see what kind of “stuff” you have inside. It also keeps the criminal from seeing the lay-out of the interior and possibly your routines.

Keep your garage door closed when not outside or working in your garage. Criminals are after property that can be easily obtained with a fast getaway.
If you go in and out through your garage, make sure the door is completely shut before you leave your driveway or enter your house. Criminals will wait for the opportunity to slip into your garage once you’re driving away or inside the house before the door closes.

Security screen doors. Security screen doors are not fool-proof, but they allow you to keep your door open while maintaining security. At night, keep the front porch light on and the interior entrance dark. It’s easy for you to see through the screen door if the interior entrance is dark, but almost impossible to see through standing in a bright area.

Never open the door without knowing exactly who’s on the other side. Use the door’s peep-hole, if equipped, or a side window. If a person is asking for help or for you to call the police, ask why?

Keep ALL the shrubs around the house cut or trimmed. Don’t give criminals a place to hide!

Keep side gates locked at all times. It may pose an inconvenience, but the idea is to make it harder for criminals to get to the back of your house where they can’t be seen by neighbors.

If you have a Neighborhood Watch Program, get involved. At least get to know your neighbors. A nosy neighbor can be an asset.

Keep in mind: If a criminal wants to get into your house or car bad enough, he/she will find a way. It’s your job to make it as difficult for them as possible.