GCPD Beefs Up Patrols, Offers Tips After String of Burglaries

After a string of residential burglaries in Garden City, village police offer the following recommendations to help safeguard your home:

• If you have an alarm use it at all times, even if you are leaving the residence for a few minutes. 

• Trim overgrown shrubbery and trees where someone would be able to secrete themselves.

• Check exterior lighting, this includes the back and sides of the home. 

• Check windows and door locks; make sure they are in working order. 

• Keep all doors and windows locked when you are home, away, or just in your back yard. 

• Move and secure items that could be used to facilitate entry through ground floor windows.

• Close your drapes, blinds and window treatments at night as a deterrent. 

• Surveillance and alarm systems should be routinely checked to ensure proper operation.

• Consider a panic alarm or keeping a telephone near the bed. 

• Leave an interior light on or use a timer. Leave a radio or television on when out of the house. 

• Discontinue any deliveries while away on business or vacation. 

• Inventory, photograph and have an appraisal conducted on valuable items. 

• When approaching or leaving your home, look for suspicious persons or vehicles. 

• Varying your routine can be an additional deterrent. 

• Do not enter your residence if you think someone may be inside; notify the police immediately. 

• If you hear or see someone in your home, exit if you can and discretely call the police right away.

• Do not try to confront the intruder. 

• If a burglar does confront you, remain calm; comply with the burglars' instructions. 

• Remember your life is more valuable than your property. 

• Try to memorize a description of the subject. 

• When the subject leaves, call the Police by dialing 911 

• When you or your neighbor's house/car alarm goes off

• When there are suspicious noises or persons in your yard or a neighbor’s yard

• When you see a suspicious person and/or vehicle

• If a vehicle is observed driving up and down the street for no apparent reason. Try to obtain a plate number and a good description of suspicious vehicles. Try to obtain a good description of all suspicious persons and/or possible suspects.

• Call when you observe activity at neighbors’ residences when you know they are away

• If you see a neighbor's door or window ajar, open or broken

• If you see a neighbor's car door or window ajar, open or broken

• Call when your dog barks due to some type of activity outside, particularly at night

Neighbors can help neighbors in the prevention of burglaries and in the apprehension of suspects, as evidenced on several occasions. "There have been numerous incidents where the keen observation of residents has resulted in the apprehension of persons committing criminal acts," Jackson said.

Residents with surveillance systems are also encouraged to notify police because their system may have recorded a crime or other suspicious activity either on their property, in the street or an adjacent property. Jackson said surveillance systems have proven to be significant tools in the prevention of criminal acts as well as in the apprehension of suspects.