30 - Sunday. duly 6, 1986 - North Shore News CLOSE THE GARAGE DOOR Neighborhood Watch is a proven success From Page 29 Neighborhood Watch is an in- vitation to you to be a good neighbor, to get to know your neighbors, and to get involved in the Neighborhood Watch concept. If your neighbor is away and you notice an obvious oversight in their home security that might at- tract a burglar, correct it — close that open garage door, pick up their mail or newspapers and hold them for their return, keep their yard in good condition, and be alert for suspicious people around their property. Report suspicious activities to your local police department. The second portion of the Neighborhood Watch program deals with the identification of property. Burglars seldom steal items for their own personal use. They steal items that are easy to, carry away, easy to convert to cash and not traceable. Electric engraving pencils are available at your local police department free of charge. You may borrow one of these engravers for a day or two and engrave your drivers licence number on all items of value. By marking these items, it becomes less desirable for the burglar to steal them as they are most easily traceable. Once your valuables have been properly iden- tified, highly visible decals are available to apply to your proper- ty, which further discourages theft. Jewellery should be taken to your jeweller. The third portion of the pro- gram concerns itself with the phys- ical security of your home. Although it is virtually impossible to make your home completely burglar proof, there are several steps you can take to reduce the opportunity. Most break-ins are crimes of opportunity and are relatively un- sophisticated, so with a little effort you can increase your security to discourage most burglars from even attempting to break into your home. Burglar Alarm The cost involved is relatively low and it should only be a one time expense that will increase your security for as long as you live in that home. *Exterior Door Security All exterior doors should, ideal- ly, be solid wood or laminated wood care construction 1%'* thick. Sliding glass doors are sometimes easily lifted from their tracks, shims should be replaced in the upper track to prevent this. Doors that have hinges on the out- side should have non-removeable hinge pins, or the hinges should be “‘pinned’’. *Locks — Do not rely on key-in- the knob locks. This type of lock is very com- mon but provides little to no secu- rity. Deadbolts with a minimum of a 1"' throw, and of good quality construction should be on all en- trance doors. Sliding glass doors should also be equipped with a proper locking device, not only to prevent entry but also to prevent the burglar from using it ds an ex- it. *Window Security Windows provide very little se- curity, although most burglars hes- itate to break glass, most window locks can be pried open. Particular attention should be given to the purchase of a proper keyed locking device, a stick of wood is not suit- able security. * Alarms These should be carefully chosen as there are many kinds at a varie- ty of prices. All alarms should be C.S.A. and U.L. approved. Alarms should be used in con- junction with other security measures, not as the only security measure. If you are going to install an alarm, be certain you contact a reputable, licensed alarm com- pany. Alarms can be expensive but you only get what you pay for. All of these topics, plus many more, are discussed by members of the North Vancouver RCMP at Neighborhood Watch meetings. 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