Crime Prevention Tip of the Month
Securing Your Doors, Part II
August 2004
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Dear Reader,
 Welcome
to the Crime Prevention Tip of the Month. I am a working Police Officer
with 30 years experience with a major North American Police Service.
My involvement in Crime Prevention has spanned 9 years, and my specialty
lies with Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED). In my
position, I consult with homeowners, businesses and developers in their
attempt to "design out" crime.
I am a strong believer in the use of visual and physical deterrents
(such as window bars) to raise
the level of a premise's protection.
Tip of the Month
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Let me say it again: Don't let thieves in the front door!
More than 50% of homes and businesses are broken into via a door. Your
door is either made of wood or is metal-clad. Metal-clad doors are NOT
metal doors. They are styrofoam with a bit of wood trim around the edges.
The metal is only for ease of maintenance and the foam is for insulation.
For the most part, your front door is a pool toy wrapped in a soup can.
Does this mean it's not strong? Not at all. The door is just fine. The
problem arises when we get it home, install it, and immediately weaken
it to the point where it is useless against intruders. Remember how your
doorframe was weakened when the deadbolt was installed? The same thing
happened to your door.
To enable the bolt portion of the deadbolt to affix to the door, a 1" hole
was drilled into the edge of your door. When you figure that the door
is only 1 1/2" thick to begin with, this leaves you with about 1/4" on
either side of the bolt to hold the door closed. That's not secure!
The bolt is then fastened in with 2 small screws. When force is applied
to the door, the 2 small screws cause the wood on the edge of the door
to split, weakening the door and allowing the bolt to break. The door
opens.
Talk to any Police Officer. We see this all the time.
And it's so easy to fix!
Pick up an escutcheon plate at your local building supply store. The
escutcheon plate is "U" shaped metal, usually polished brass
or silver colored, and it easily installs with the deadbolt. It provides
the strength to prevent the door from breaking and should cost somewhere
in the $10.00 range.
This combination of door and frame reinforcing plates will absolutely
protect you against forced door entry.
Click here to view available Goodbar
products
6 Ways to Meet the Neighbors
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Knowing your neighbors is the best way to reduce crime in your neighborhood.
But in today's increasingly mobile and busy society, getting to know
the people on your street can be difficult. Here's 6 ways to meet your
neighbors, have some fun, and increase your level of security.
- Join your local community watch program. There are several programs
that help citizens organize and work with police to reduce crime. Call
your local chapter for more information.
- Start a community watch program, if there isn't one already established.
- Have a block barbecue. You have to eat anyway.
- Hold a block garage sale. You'll get rid of more junk if you can
promise a huge selection, and you'll meet everyone on the street.
- Organize a community clean-up day. Well- maintained neighborhoods
prevent crime.
- Take the initiative and do something nice for a neighbor. One small
act of kindness can lead to huge benefits!
Can We Help?
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Questions about securing your home or business? Send
us an email. We'll respond in the next edition of the newsletter.
Forward to a Friend
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
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