70th Precinct Offers Safety Tips to Offset Property Crime Spike

The 70th Precinct's Inspector Eric Rodriguez and Captain James Palumbo reached out to the community Monday to share safety tips to offset crimes that have seen a spike in recent months. 

"While reviewing our crime reports for the past several months, property crimes such as Burglaries, Robberies and Grand Larcenies have had spikes at times," they wrote. "Some of the Grand Larcenies have been committed through car break-ins, and all of our crimes at times have electronics as the primary property taken."

They noted the 70th Precinct has recently seen an increase in burglaries where the method of entry has been to enter windows from fire escapes or unlocked windows from the side or rear of houses. 

Rodriguez and Palumbo offered tips to secure homes and businesses, including: 

• Think like burglars do. "So now look around and evaluate other aspects of your home security. Are you providing an easy way in? Open vents or crawl spaces? Dog doors? Did you leave a ladder outside? Burglars could use it, or climb a nearby tree, to get in an upstairs window."

• Remember to use a deadbolt. "Of course the front or back door is the most common point of entry for a burglar... Burglars also look for unlocked ground floor windows, especially on the side of your home or backyard."

• Don't advertise that you're away. "Burglars look for clues like uncollected newspapers and mail. Cancel or postpone deliveries until you return home. Unshoveled driveways imply that there is nobody home and makes your home more vulnerable for a Burglary." 

• Be careful about what you post on social media. "If you post your travel schedule across the internet, this will make your home more vulnerable for a Burglary."

• Beware of identity theft. "Thieves will gather your key financial info, like your [social security number] and credit card number, as well as your money."

• Be Neighborly. "Neighbors can do a great job of looking out for each other. Ask them to keep an eye on your home. Encourage neighbors to report suspicious behavior." 

They also advised to keep both exterior and interior lights on at home while no one is there. 

"Complete darkness in your home suggests that nobody is inside. Exterior lights (especially the motion-activated type) are a great deterrent. Put interior lights on a timer, so they'll come on in the evening if you're away. Be mindful to keep curtains and shades down as to not advertise personal property in your home such as electronics or jewelry," they wrote.

Keeping extra keys outside your home is also ill-advised, they wrote, as hiding spots are more obvious than one would think. Posting addresses on keychains make homes a target, too.

Finally, security systems should be used to their full extent. 

"Alarm and camera security systems today can do much more than just sound an alarm or take surveillance  - some have integrated fire, smoke, carbon monoxide and flood monitoring," they wrote. "Call your alarm company to ensure you are taking advantage of all the features offered."