The following is a sampling of the suggestions from our neighbors to improve the security of our homes and our neighborhood.
We had a great Neighborhood Security Meeting on May 31st, 2007, and had a strong turnout (over 30 people) and a lively
discussion. Thanks to all those homeowners who took the time out to attend the meeting!
- Keep
your garage door shut, especially at night. Be sure to check it before
you go to bed. Even during the day, if you are working in the back
yard, keep it closed! Take a garage door opener with you, or use a
keypad for entry (these are very easy to install). It only takes a
thief a few minutes to walk away with lots of stuff from your
garage...or gain entry into your home!
- Never leave
your garage door opener in your car; think of it as a key to your house
(you would not leave a key on the seat of your car, would you?). If you
park your car at the mall or store, consider taking the garage door
opener with you. If you park your car for an extended period (at the
airport, for example), leave your garage door opener at home or take it
with you (I throw mine in my suitcase). In fact, go through your glove
compartment and remove anything with your name/address or other
personal information in it.
- Consider motion-sensitive
lights or silent alarms for your home, especially in the front of your
house by your cars. These will deter thieves or vandals, and are very
cheap and easy to install.
- If you are away on
vacation, ask a neighbor to pick up your mail, newspapers, recycling
bins and garbage cans. Leave a phone number with your neighbor (or
Neighborhood Watch Block Captain) so you can be contacted in case of
emergency. If possible, have neighbor park their car in your driveway
to give it that "lived in" look. Use timers on your indoor lights, and
consider leaving a radio or TV on. Close your drapes.
- Make sure that you have your phone number and a
valid e-mail on file with the Board of Directors and your Block Captain
so you can be contacted in case of emergency.
- Never
leave outgoing mail in your mailbox! This is an easy way for thieves to
steal your identity. Drop your mail off at the local post office
(Gotha) or at the mailbox up by Publix (its outside the entrance on the
left).
- If you have a home security system, make sure
it is armed and working properly. Place signs and window decals in the
front and back of your house indicating a security system is in place.
- NEVER
open your front door for a stranger, no matter what they say. Ask for
identification. If it is a solicitor, ask them to leave and call the
police (non-emergency # is (407) 836-HELP). Take a picture with your
cell phone camera or digital camera.
- If you are out
in your yard or on a walk and see something suspicious, don't hesitate
to call 911 if you believe a crime is in progress! If you just see
something that is “out of place” or a car/person you don't recognize,
use your cell phone camera if you have it with you and record as much
information as possible. Confront the person if you feel comfortable
with this; if not, call your Block Captain ASAP.
- Make sure you know your Block Captain! If you do not, contact us at the Ridgemoore Web Site or contact any board member.
- If you are interested in finding the recent activity of property crimes and robberies in our area, check out the Orange County Sheriff's Office Web Site ; just enter your address (or zone number; we are zone "32D") and the most recent 90 days of activity will be shown.
Finally,
the key to making our neighborhood safer is...you! Neighborhood Watch
is "neighbor watching out for neighbor", and that's much more effective
than any security system, surveillance camera, gated community or other
technology. Get to know your neighbors, get involved with Neighborhood
Watch. By working together, we can make Ridgemoore a safer and better
community!
More Security Tips
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