This time of year, many people are out and about-- running, walking, gardening, riding their bikes...and casing your home.
Summer is the time of year when families leave on vacation for a week or two, and it's the time of year when home burglaries are most common.

Even here in quiet Wind Point, we are not immune to break-ins or attempted break-ins when we are not at home.

Typically, break-ins and burglaries are "crimes of opportunity", but, you can reduce the chances of becoming a victim. Please follow these tips to help keep you, your family, and your property safe.

  • Be like Gladys Kravitz and know what is going on around your home, on your street, and in your neighborhood. Pay attention to what is normal and what is not. Talk to your neighbors. Compare notes.

  • Get to know your neighbors. Keep them informed, and ask them to keep an eye on your home if you will be gone for an extended period. Make sure they have your contact information and a spare key, if necessary.

  • When you're away, suspend the delivery of your mail and newspaper, or have your neighbor collect them for you. Inform the Wind Point Police that you'll be out of town (use the email address or non-emergency phone number, right), and ask them to do "vacation checks" while you're gone.
  • Make it look like someone is always at home even when you're traveling. Put your lights on timers so that they go on and off at various times in different rooms. Create the illusion of someone at home by turning your radio, television, or sound system on and off.

  • If you have a safe, use it. Keep documents and valuables secured. Don’t leave money or other valuables in view.

  • Make sure that doors and windows are secured. Use those deadbolts you installed.

  • Remove your spare key from its outside hiding place (burglars know where to look). If you must have a spare key outside, use a lockbox, or leave one with a neighbor.

  • Don't share your vacation plans on social media. Wait until you're home, and then post photos of your adventures.

  • Keep your garage door closed at all times, and remove your garage door opener from your car if you park outside. Most importantly, lock the door that leads from the garage into your home.

  • If you don’t have a security system, please consider investing in one. A doorbell camera system, motion-sensing lighting, and indoor/outdoor cameras are big deterrents to a would-be burglar. A dog also works.

  • Be aware of your surroundings and trust your instincts. If you see something, say something. It is better to call the police and have it be nothing than to be silent and have it be something.

We can’t emphasize enough how important it is to get to know your neighbors.

We are the eyes of ears of our community, and we all must look out for each other.