Lock Up

Recent headlines about victims of a home invasion in an upper-middle class Connecticut community remind us: safety first

By Elisa Padilla
Published: Dec 01, 2007

Whether you’re moving across the country or across town, security should always play a major role in your decision on a new dwelling. Did you know that many cities offer crime statistics for certain neighborhoods right online? And that most neighborhoods have a special section of their police department that handles all kinds of home security questions and some even, that will actually come out to conduct a security check on your new place?

“Residential Security Surveys,” as they are known, are offered where a crime prevention coordinator will come to your home or apartment to conduct a residential security survey at no cost. Areas covered include lighting, landscaping, locks, alarms and so forth. The Crime Prevention Coordinator can then offer suggestions on how to decrease your chances of becoming a victim of burglary or robbery. If you're an Angeleno, check out the LAPD's website and request a security survey. The NYPD also offers a similar service.

“The biggest cause of home burglary is improperly locked doors or windows, or in other words, unlocked, doors or windows,” says Lauralee Asch, a Neighborhood Crime Prevention Coordinator with the Santa Monica Police Department.

Google “home security” and you’ll get search results filled with the latest in high tech security gadgets and gizmos, but there are effective alternatives for those of us that don’t have the means or interest in acquiring that fingerprint-reading door lock. “Often we recommend things as simple as double key dead bolts,” says Asch.

The most secure domiciles will always have limited access to the public, keyed or coded entries in the case of apartments, walkways that are well lit, and doors which are solid hardwood or metal-clad and always feature peepholes. Other things to contemplate are if the windows and sliding doors are secure.

Here's a safety checklist for apartment dweller:

1. Make sure your entry doors have a dead-bolt and a peephole
2. Sliding glass doors and windows should have a sturdy rod in place
3. Be sure your landlord and manager have the keys under tight control
4. Make sure there's control over who enters the property
5. Walkways, common areas, elevators, parking lots and laundry rooms are well lit
6. Get to know your neighbors

Things you should consider in your security are often common sense, but too many times overlooked or unheard of. Taking even just these minor precautions or reaching out to your local police department can mean a great deal to your safety and home security.

Spending her entire life in California, Elisa Padilla could never imagine herself living outside of Los Angeles. Though she holds a degree in design, she's always had a fondness for words that now seems to be more present than ever.

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