Burglary – unlawfully entering a building to commit a crime – continues to be a big problem here in Eugene, with break-ins occurring on a daily basis citywide. We continue to see a large proportion of burglaries involving open or unlocked doors or windows, but we also have a significant number involving forced entry. Items typically stolen include laptops and other electronics, jewelry, cash and anything else that looks valuable. These facts serve as good reminders about how you might improve your odds: lock those doors and windows, and install tracking software on your laptops. Additional tips are listed below:
1) Inspect your property while thinking like a criminal—where would it be easy to break in, without being seen by neighbors? If you want help with this inspection, call the Eugene police crime prevention unit at 541-682-5137 and ask for a free home security inspection. An officer will call you back and set an appointment.
2) Make improvements as necessary in terms of locks, lighting and landscaping.
a) All hinged exterior doors should be secured with deadbolt locks. Sliding doors and
windows should be snug in their frames, with lift and slide protection features.
b) Exterior lighting should be even, eliminating pockets of shadow, and making it easy
for neighbors to see prowlers in your yard. Motion detection lights can help expose
intruders.
c) Landscaping should be trimmed to eliminate hiding places near entry points, such as
doors and windows. Trim bushes to no more than three feet high, trim lower branches off
of tall trees, and/or plant thorny plants that discourage trespassers.
3) Arrange mutual aid with your neighbors, keeping an eye on each other’s properties while you are gone. Let them know where you will be vacationing, how to reach you, and/or who you expect to be visiting or house-sitting in your absence. Consider getting formally organized as a Neighborhood Watch. If you can get your neighbors together on a weeknight for a meeting, the Eugene Police Crime Prevention Unit will provide a presenter to run the meeting.
4) Take photos, digital images or videotapes of your possessions, for ease of recovery and for insurance purposes.
5) Mark your property with your Oregon driver’s license or personal I.D. number: OR________DL, using an electronic engraver.
6) In addition to all of the above, alarm systems may be worth considering.
If you’d like more detailed advice or have further questions, visit our website at www.eugenepolice.com or call the Eugene Police Crime Prevention Unit at 541-682-5137.