Tips to help prevent crime!

Overview

The Hapeville Police Department is committed to keeping our community safe by providing information on current scams and implementing programs such as Project Safe House and Citizen Police Academy.

For more information, please call (404) 768-7171.

Residential Burglary Prevention Tips

Burglary victims often feel vulnerable and violated as their personal space has been invaded. Residential burglaries statistically occur during the day while families are at work or school. The most common entry technique is a hard kick to the door, forcing the wooden jamb to give way. Household tools like hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars and pliers may be used to gain entry into your home.

Unfortunately, it is hard to catch burglars in the act and harder to catch them after the fact. While residential burglaries seem random in nature, there is a simple selection process. Unoccupied homes with easy or concealed access and quick escape routes are targeted. Once inside burglars look for expensive items that are easily traded for cash. Favorite items include Cash, Jewelry, Laptops, Computers, CD and DVD players, Game Consoles, Watches, Guns, Televisions and other Small Electronic Devices.

Protect yourself and make your home a less likely target by following these recommendations: 

Lighting: Landscaping:

  • Install lights by all exterior doors. Use lights at night.
  • Install outside light fixture where the bulb is hard to reach.
  • Illuminate house numbers for quick emergency service response. Put the house numbers on the mailbox too.

Vehicles:

  • Close the garage door and cover windows so no one can see inside..
  • Hide garage door openers, GPS units and other valuables from open view inside your car.

Doors & Windows:

  • Install a monitored residential alarm system.
  • Change the locks when moving into a new residence.
  • Always lock your doors and windows.
  • Give your neighbor the spare key – Don't hide it outside.
  • Use solid core or metal exterior doors.
  • Install four-screw strike plates with three-inch screws to penetrate the wood door frame.
  • Use dead bolt door locks on exterior doors and double cylinder dead bolt locks if glass is within 3 feet of the lock.
  • Add auxiliary track-type locks, removable drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices to windows and sliding glass doors.
  • Install peepholes on doors with 160 degree views
  • Upgrade locks to defeat bump keying.
  • Trim shrubs back from doors and windows. Don't give burglars places to hide.
  • Trim tree branches 7 feet off the ground.
  • Prune shrubs to under 3 feet from the ground.
  • Use motion sensors and photocells on exterior floodlights.

Personal Information: 

  • Keep valuables in a safe deposit box.
  • Use a locking mailbox.
  • Record all makes, models and serial numbers from electronics
  • Avoid placing boxes from recently purchased electronics out in public view. To discard them, cut them up and place them in trash bags.

Dealing With Strangers:

  • Report Suspicious Persons and activity to the Police Immediately
  • Never let strangers enter your home.
  • Hire only reputable workers and ask for references
  • Never give keys to workers.
  • Never leave notes for anyone on the door.

While On Vacation: 

  • Have the Post Office hold your mail.
  • Park a neighbor's car in your driveway.
  • Use timers on indoor lights to give the impression you are home.
  • Request a Hapeville Police Vacation House Check