There have been a number of thefts from autos and home burglaries reported in South Philly in the last week. Please be on the lookout for suspicious persons who may be trolling the neighborhood looking for easy break-in opportunities. Record the details (personal description, location, time, etc.) and report any suspicious activity online at www.phillypolice.com/forms/submit-a-tip or call 215-686-TIPS (8477). If you see a crime in progress, always call 9-1-1 right away and be take note of relevant details. Please also email us at lomopublicsafety@gmail.com so that LoMo’s Public Safety Committee can follow up on these incidents with our local police district.
Here are a few tips to help safeguard your car, home, and valuables:
1. Never leave anything valuable in sight in your vehicle and consider leaving your glovebox open to show that nothing valuable is inside. Consider investing in a car alarm. Lock all doors and completely close all windows (including sun/moon roofs).
2. Make sure that items such as check books, credit cards, social security cards and the like are stored in a secure space in your home. When you leave those things or even your bills out in the open it is easy for burglars to also commit identity theft.
3. Whether you are at home or not at home, be sure to lock doors and windows. Doors to houses are the most common entry point for criminals, with two thirds of burglars entering properties through them. Doors need to be secure and in good condition, for practical reasons and deterrence. Consider investing in a home security system and upgrade to stronger, sturdier locks if necessary.
4. Criminals also often enter through the alley. If you do not have a lock on your alley gate, talk with your neighbors about purchasing one and making keys for everyone on your block. If you need assistance with this or if your alley does not have a gate, contact LoMo for help. Also be sure that the alley door in your backyard is securely locked.
5. Have adequate exterior lighting, both in front of your house and in your backyard. Turn on your porch light at night. Change your bulb if it’s out, or if you don’t have a porch light, install one. Consider installing a motion sensitive light in your backyard.
6. At night, reduce visibility into your home by closing drapes and blinds.
7. If you own a security camera, register it with the Police Department’s new SafeCam program.
8. If you plan to be away from your home for an extended length of time, consider purchasing timers for your lights. Do not post on social media that you will not be home and of course make sure that all windows and doors are locked. Ask your neighbor to bring in your mail and newspapers and keep an eye on your home while you are away.
9. Be aware of your surroundings and be on the lookout for suspicious persons who may be trolling the neighborhood looking for easy break-in opportunities. Report any suspicious activity online at www.phillypolice.com/forms/submit-a-tip or call 215-686-TIPS (8477).
10. If something does happen, report it to the authorities as soon as possible by calling 9-1-1.
Please share this information with neighbors so that we can all stay safe!
Related articles
- Guest Post: Common Home Invasions and How to Prevent Them (mylifeofcrime.wordpress.com)
- Lock down your property properly (confused.com)
Lower Moyamensing Civic Association 