October 2011 meeting - SPECIAL SPEAKER – Detective Hunter, Delray Beach Police Department

22 in attendance heard the Detective speak about the concerns of Coral Trace Community. He spoke about a report kept at the police station on the amount of incidents reported to the police department. From 1-1-11 til 10-17-11, we had eleven burglaries, two vehicle break-ins, one garage open, one shutters taken off the house, one attempted burglary, four rear sliders opened, people coming over the wall on East Coral Trace.

SAFETY TIPS - see below also

• Lock vehicles.
• If someone doesn’t look like they should be in Coral Trace call the police, non-emergency #.
• If you purchase a new TV or other appliances, break up the box, don’t set it outside of your home to let everyone know what you just purchased. The people breaking in look for those type of things on garbage days.
• Turn on alarms.
• Put a bar of PVC in the track of your back sliding glass door.
• Form a citizen patrol for each block or for around the community.
• If you leave town for vacation or to go back north, call the Police Department and ask if they will patrol around your home while you are out of town.
• If you see a moving truck in the community at a home not to be moving in or out, call the Police.
• Main message is to be aware of what is going on in Coral Trace, and contact the Police when needed.

Report suspicious sightings at Police Dep't. Crime Tips Number: 561-243-7839

DELRAY BEACH POLICE DEPARTMENT HOME SAFETY TIPS

INSIDE YOUR HOME:

• Always lock your doors, even when you are in your home. You may be at the rear of the home and not hear what may be happening at the front of your house.
• Always keep your garage door closed. If you are not in your garage or yard keep this door closed. You’ll never hear activity in your garage when you are in your house. Lawn equipment, bicycles, tools, etc. become vulnerable to theft. The door leading from the garage into the home is a favorite entry point for burglars.
• Always use your alarm when not home. You can use it when you are at home too if you wish. It provides an extra layer of security either way.

OUTSIDE YOUR HOME:

• Keep shrubs trimmed away from windows. This allows you to see what’s going on outside and prevents thieves from using this growth to their advantage.
• Maintain quality lighting around the exterior of your home. Especially in areas of the home that may be more susceptible to break in.
• Don’t leave lawn tools or equipment in side or back yards. This helps the burglar facilitate his crime against you or your neighbors.
• Display your house number prominently and keep it well lit. This assists emergency personnel when they have to respond to any form of an emergency.

WHILE AWAY:

• Don’t publicize the fact that your house will be sitting empty for any extended period of time.
• Instead of canceling your paper or mail deliveries, ask a neighbor to assist you by picking them up, saving and recycling these while you are away.
• If you are going to be gone for an extended period, make arrangements to have your lawn maintained. Burglars know that an unkempt lawn that is normally well kept is a sign that residents are away.
• Use timers to turn lights on and off throughout your home at all hours while you are away. A lived in appearance is a deterrent to burglars.
• Leave drapes in a normal position to assist with this lived in look.
• Turn phone ringers down. Constant ringing is a sign that a home is unoccupied.
• Ask a neighbor to occasionally park in your driveway.
• Never leave lights on in your home 24 hours a day while you are gone.

Always call the Police when you observe suspicious activity, wherever you are.

Report suspicious sightings at Police Dep't. Crime Tips Number: 561-243-7839

• Here is a suggested format for a Home Inventory Sheet for your valuables - creating this spreadsheet will help in event of burglary for report to insurance company

ITEM  DESCRIPTION  SERIAL #  COLOR  YEAR PURCHASED  COST

• note from Editor (who filed claim for burglary in 2010): also record Manufacturer, Model #, store where purchased, proof of purchase

• suggestion from Editor - consider investing in a safe deposit box for your sentimental and valuable jewelry and small valuables. I got one, tho I had to open a checking account (minimum balance of $100).  Not convenient, but more peace of mind.