Crime Prevention: APD Residential Burglary Tips

From Alameda Police Department

Locking your door and using a deadbolt may not be enough to properly secure your home.

Intruders in some recent residential burglaries have gained access to homes by kicking in the back door, which splinters the door and/or the door frame.

Consider installing hardwood or metal doors on all the entrances to your home, including the interior garage door. Doors are only as effective as the frames they are mounted in. Door frames should be made of solid wood or metal.

Install a high-quality deadbolt made of case-hardened steel. A good deadbolt extends one or more inches into the door frame, and uses a metal strike plate installed with screws at least three inches in length, and not accessible from the outside of the door.

Check your current deadbolts and if necessary, replace them, or replace short screws with longer ones. Devices such as "The Door Club" are also available to make forced entry much more difficult.

Sliding glass doors should also be reinforced. A long piece of wood, such as a broom handle, can be placed in the inside track to prevent the door from opening from the outside. If the slide track is on the outside, consider installing a slide bolt along the bottom inside track.

Suspicious Persons or Activities

What is suspicious activity? Generally, if you trust your instincts, they’ll tell you what is suspicious about someone’s actions.

Here we’ve listed some types of behavior commonly associated with criminal activity to help “educate your instincts.”

• Any person going door-to door in a residential neighborhood. A person is especially suspicious if, after a few houses visited, one or more of them goes into a back or side yard. More suspicious if another remains in the front when this occurs. (Possible lookout for a burglary in progress inside)

• Waiting in front of a house or business. Particularly suspicious if owners are absent or business establishment is closed. (Possible burglary, theft, or trespass in progress)

• Non-Resident going into back or side yard of house. Suspicious under almost any circumstances. (Possible burglary or trespass in progress)

• Exhibiting unusual behavior, it can possibly be due to an injury or the individual may be under the influence of drugs, or alcohol.

• Carrying property, depending upon the circumstance. For example, if it is at an unusual hour or in an unusual place, and if the property is not wrapped, as if it had just been purchased. (Possible subject leaving the scene of a burglary, robbery or theft)

• Remember, if something doesn't "feel right" or if it "gives you a funny feeling"- make a detailed note of the person/vehicle and call it in to our non-emergency number 510-337-8820.