This document provides tips on preventing burglary. It notes that most burglaries occur during the day while people are at work or school. The typical burglar is a local male teenager. Windows and doors are common entry points, so reinforcing locks and windows can help. It recommends installing alarms, solid door frames, and long screws to secure door strikes to make a home a harder target. Being aware of security and not volunteering information to strangers is also important.

1. SURVIVING A BURGLARY
SPONSORED BY
COEBURN POLICE DEPT.
CREATED BY H. STALLARD 12/07
hstallard@yahoo.com

2. BURGLARY STATISTICS
Most burglaries occur between 10 AM and
3PM (after most people leave for work and
before kids get home from school)

3. The typical burglar is a male teen-ager who
lives within a couple of miles of your home. The
chance of being victimized by a professional
thief is low.

4. Frequent entry
points for burglaries
are windows and
doors. Research
shows that if it
takes more than
four or five minutes
to break into a
home, the burglar
will go elsewhere.

5. Burglars spend an average of 8 to
12 minutes in your home.

6. The master bedroom is usually the first place hit
because most people keep their valuables there.

7. Their favorite items to steal are: cash, jewelry,
electronic equipment, silver, guns and other items that
are easy to sell on the street or "hock" at a pawnshop
.

8. FACTS
In the USA, a burglar occurs every 8 seconds.

9. FACTS
On average, 1 out of every 6 homes will be
burglarized this year.

10. FACTS
Half of all burglaries take place without forced
entry. In many cases the burglar used a "key".
One study showed that 12 percent of
burglaries occurred through an unlocked door.

11. FACTS
Homes without security systems are about 3 times more likely
to be broken into than homes with security systems.

12. You CAN’T stop someone who really wants
to break in!
• There is no such thing as a burglar-proof home or
a car that cannot be broken into and stolen, a
lock that cannot be picked, drilled or bypassed,
no security system that cannot be broached.
• If someone is dedicated enough, skilled enough
and has the proper tools, he will get in, no matter
what measures you take.
• What you can do is make it hard enough that the
average criminal will decide to ply his trade
elsewhere.

13. A Point to Remember
When improving the security of your home,
don't exchange security for personal safety.
Don't make your home such a fortress that
you are unable to escape in case of a fire or
other emergency.

14. How To Harden the Target
• Target hardening is a process wherein a
building is made into a more difficult or less
attractive target.

15. Hardening the Target
You want to do things that will cause a burglar
to have to spend more time to get in.
The longer it takes…the more likely he is to be
seen and caught.

16. Windows
Windows and door glass can always be broken
out.
But that makes noise…something most
burglars want to avoid.

17. Alarms
Alarms warn you of an intrusion.
Alarms MAY or MAY NOT scare off an
intruder.
An alarm is only a first line defense…it is not
intended to be the whole security system.

18. Window and Door Alarms
Wireless alarms that are battery powered are
best for rented dwellings.
Most use the two sided tape or small screws
to affix to the windows or doors.
Most can be obtained for under $20 at
Wal-Mart, K-Mart, or Radio Shack.

19. VIBRATION ALARM
Detects shock and sudden impacts to
windows and doors Easily mounted with two
sided tape

20. Movement Alarms
Alarm sounds when window or door is opened.

21. Preventing the Door from Opening

22. A Point to Remember
The chain and bar that lets you partially open
the door, isn’t that secure.
The door can still be kicked open because the
screws used to hold the latch on the door are
too small.
If you decide to use one, you might want to
consider adding a side mounted mirror.

23. Hardening the Door

24. An Entrance Lock is Easily Defeated

25. A Dead Bolt is More Secure

26. Single Cylinder Dead Bolt
…has a manual knob on one side and a key on
the other side.

27. Double Cylinder Dead Bolt
…is keyed from both sides.
The main disadvantage to this is that in an
emergency (fire, earthquake, Big Mac Attack,
etc.) you have to have the key to get the door
open.

28. Why You Can Kick in a Door

29. The Striker Plate
…is the weakest part of the locking system.

30. Most striker plates are
secured with ½ inch screws.
Best length should be 2 or 3
inches.

31. The door itself…
Should have a solid core.

32. Preventing the Window from Opening

33. If you return home and discover a
break in…
Don’t go in…the burglar may still be inside.
Even if you know they’ve gone wait for the
police…you could destroy evidence at the crime
scene.
Go to a neighbor or use a cell phone and call the
police.
Have a list of your valuables, their descriptions,
serial numbers, etc. Digital pictures saved on a
removable storage device, especially of jewelry
will be very helpful to the police.

34. Security
…comes in two parts.
1. PHYSICAL

35. 2. MENTAL

36. Hardening the target is the physical part.
Security is also a mental state of mind…the
way you think and the way you react.
Do you open the door to strangers?
Do you tell strangers on the phone that you
are home alone?
All the security devices you have won’t help
you if you don’t use them correctly.
You have to use your head as well as your
security devices.

37. • COEBURN POLICE DEPARTMENT
• 114 FRONT STREET
• 395-2111
• CHIEF SCOTT BROOKS
• sbrooks@townofcoeburn.com