Lock your doors, secure your windows and know your neighbors. Onondaga County Neighborhood Watch volunteer Russ Mitchell named these and other effective ways to promote safety and prevent crime in Bayberry at the BCA Nov. 15 monthly meeting.
To keep safe at home, Mitchell advises residents to not only use the locks on all door knobs, but also a dead bolt if you have one. Make sure all windows and doors (including those located on the sides and back of the house, as well as in the garage) are secure. Because sliding glass doors can be easily popped off track, Mitchell recommends installing bolts above the door so it can’t be pushed up and out.
Mitchell also recommends recording a male voice on your home answering machine, particularly if you are a woman living alone. Another crime deterrent is to leave a large dog dish outside the door.
Other tips include:
- Know your neighbors. And if you’re planning to be away for any length of time, let a trusted neighbor know.
- House numbers should be clearly visible from the street for emergency vehicles. In the evenings, keep the number well lit by turning on your porch lights.
- Always lock your vehicles.
- Do not allow solicitors inside your home. Remember, solicitors must have a Town of Clay permit to go door-to-door. Don’t be afraid to ask to see it.
- If you feel uneasy about solicitors and/or someone who seems suspicious, call 911 and let them know it’s a non-emergency. The dispatcher will direct your call.
- When shopping, particularly during the holiday season, try to return to your car frequently in order to store shopping bags a little at a time in the trunk. Do not place them in an open area.
- Keep check on your elderly neighbors, make sure they’re safe and help out if they need you.
