EPD Property Crimes detectives have noted an increase in garage door burglaries where the suspect(s) used the victims’ own garage door remotes to gain entry. In some cases, the remote was stolen from the victim’s vehicle while parked in front of the residence in a gated community. Once in the garage, burglars have access to property such as tools, bicycles and other valuables. Furthermore, burglars can then use those tools to help them force access into the interior of your home, stealing electronics, jewelry and much more.
Regardless of where you live, it is important to be aware of potential security risks and take the following steps to protect your home and property:
- Keep your garage door remote on your person, not in the car. Invest in a keychain remote to make this easier.
- Make sure the door from your garage into your home is just as secure as your front door.
- Keep your garage door closed at all times when not working directly inside.
Thieves know that if your car is parked somewhere other than your home, they may have time and opportunity to enter your garage while you are still away. For this reason, ensure that any paperwork inside your vehicle does not return to your home address.
- Oregon Administrative Rule 735-030-105, allows the registered owner to “black out or otherwise obscure the residence address, business address, mailing address and vehicle address shown on the registration card. No other information on the registration card may be blacked out or otherwise obscured” in certain circumstances. See: http://arcweb.sos.state.or.us/pages/rules/oars_700/oar_735/735_030.html
- Remove your address from other paperwork you might routinely keep in your glovebox, or remove items as appropriate.
If you are uncertain about the security of your home, please contact your crime prevention specialist to schedule a free home security inspection. Visit our website at www.eugenepolice.com for more details and for more prevention tips and information, including home security video tutorials.
Neighbors, please be alert and call police for any behavior that appears suspicious. For emergencies and crimes in progress call 9-1-1. To report suspicious activity or crimes that have already occurred that are not emergencies, please call the non-emergency line at 541.682.5111.
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