News
Safety Reminders
Posted on Jul 24th, 2024
If you have seen the news lately, you are already aware that there has been an increase in crime in all neighborhoods throughout the Bay Area. Even in San Ramon, which is relatively safe, thefts of opportunity do occur.
What are thefts of opportunity? Simply put, they are quick and easy thefts that can happen anytime (even during the day) that are made possible by a homeowners’ false sense of security. It can be a porch pirate following the Amazon or FedEx delivery driver, someone opening mailboxes to try and find a tax refund check, or an opportune thief checking cars that are parked in the driveway or street that have been left unlocked. The good news is that many of these are preventable with very little effort on your part.
Preventing Porch Pirates
Have your packages shipped to your office rather than your home. If you work from home, grab your packages as soon as they are delivered so they are not sitting at your front door for an extended period of time.
Mail Theft
Upgrade your mailbox to a locking mailbox (please be sure to submit an application and wait for approval prior to installation). If you don’t have a locking mailbox, be sure to grab your mail each evening so it does not accumulate.
Theft from your Vehicle
Park as many cars as possible within your garage. We understand that some neighbors may be using their garages for storage – this is a great opportunity to clean out your garage and make room for that extra car!
If you must park a vehicle outside, be sure to remove all valuables from your car (wallet, keys, cell phone, laptop, purses, bags, etc.) every time you get out and double check that you have locked your vehicle if it is left out at night.
Unfortunately, we have heard of a few of these thefts, as well as some more serious home break-ins in recently where thieves have reportedly used back patio doors to gain access to the home. While these crimes are more difficult to stop, there are still some steps that owners can take to help safeguard their homes. Most of us have alarm systems in our homes, but how often do you set the alarm? Maybe when you are going on a trip and will be gone for a few days? How about each night? Do you set the alarm when you run to the store for a few hours? Even a small window of time can provide a thief the opportunity they need to force their way into your home.
We suggest setting your alarm anytime your home is unoccupied. The simple siren of a burglar alarm will likely scare off a casual thief and will also alert your neighbors and the police in the event that it does not.
Going out of Town?
If you are going away for the weekend or a longer vacation, there are additional steps you can take to disguise the fact that you are not home. You can pause delivery of your newspaper, put your mail on ‘vacation hold’ at the post office or ask a neighbor to take in your paper and mail for you. Put some timers on your interior lamps so that they turn on and off in the evenings, making it appear that somebody is home. Let your neighbors know you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye on your home for you. If any criminal or suspicious activity is suspected, homeowners are encouraged to report to authorities, and not to intervene.
Below are some additional crime prevention/safety reminders. You may read these and think these are just common sense, but you’d be surprised how often these silly things can lead to theft.
1. Garage Doors – Check that your garage doors are closed at all times. Burglaries do not just happen at night, crimes of opportunity often happen during the day.
2. Garage Remotes – Check that your garage door openers are not left in your vehicle if it is parked outside. If your vehicle must be outside and it has a built-in clicker, lock the door into your home at night.
3. Don’t give thieves your keys - Don't leave spare house keys in hiding spots around the house; experienced thieves know even the best hiding places.
Cameras Can Help Solve Crimes
Many residents already have security cameras at the front of their homes or in place of their doorbells. You may want to consider adding cameras to the sides and rear of your home to capture anyone entering your back yard. If you have cameras, let the SRPD know by filling out their Citizens View form on their website. They will contact you if there are any crimes in your area that your cameras may have captured images of. Any footage that you capture may be the missing piece the police need to solve a crime. The City of San Ramon and the SRPD also have Flock Cameras throughout the City, so any vehicles entering the community are likely to be captured and can be cross referenced with their database.
Start a Neighborhood Watch Group for Your Street
Starting a neighborhood watch is all about getting to know each other, taking time to care about each other and work together in a program of mutual assistance. It can be as informal as getting your neighbors’ phone numbers, creating a group text and checking in with them if you see something suspicious. If you would like to have a more formal neighborhood watch, the San Ramon Police can help facilitate a meeting where your group will be trained on how to recognize and report suspicious activities in your neighborhood. You will learn various Crime Prevention Strategies on protecting your home, yourself and your children. Contact Administrative Coordinator Theresa Sanchez at 925-973-2740 or email at tsanchez@sanramon.ca.gov if you would like to have a formal meeting. Due to the size of the community, it does not make sense to have a neighborhood watch for all of Bent Creek Parc.
What are thefts of opportunity? Simply put, they are quick and easy thefts that can happen anytime (even during the day) that are made possible by a homeowners’ false sense of security. It can be a porch pirate following the Amazon or FedEx delivery driver, someone opening mailboxes to try and find a tax refund check, or an opportune thief checking cars that are parked in the driveway or street that have been left unlocked. The good news is that many of these are preventable with very little effort on your part.
Preventing Porch Pirates
Have your packages shipped to your office rather than your home. If you work from home, grab your packages as soon as they are delivered so they are not sitting at your front door for an extended period of time.
Mail Theft
Upgrade your mailbox to a locking mailbox (please be sure to submit an application and wait for approval prior to installation). If you don’t have a locking mailbox, be sure to grab your mail each evening so it does not accumulate.
Theft from your Vehicle
Park as many cars as possible within your garage. We understand that some neighbors may be using their garages for storage – this is a great opportunity to clean out your garage and make room for that extra car!
If you must park a vehicle outside, be sure to remove all valuables from your car (wallet, keys, cell phone, laptop, purses, bags, etc.) every time you get out and double check that you have locked your vehicle if it is left out at night.
Unfortunately, we have heard of a few of these thefts, as well as some more serious home break-ins in recently where thieves have reportedly used back patio doors to gain access to the home. While these crimes are more difficult to stop, there are still some steps that owners can take to help safeguard their homes. Most of us have alarm systems in our homes, but how often do you set the alarm? Maybe when you are going on a trip and will be gone for a few days? How about each night? Do you set the alarm when you run to the store for a few hours? Even a small window of time can provide a thief the opportunity they need to force their way into your home.
We suggest setting your alarm anytime your home is unoccupied. The simple siren of a burglar alarm will likely scare off a casual thief and will also alert your neighbors and the police in the event that it does not.
Going out of Town?
If you are going away for the weekend or a longer vacation, there are additional steps you can take to disguise the fact that you are not home. You can pause delivery of your newspaper, put your mail on ‘vacation hold’ at the post office or ask a neighbor to take in your paper and mail for you. Put some timers on your interior lamps so that they turn on and off in the evenings, making it appear that somebody is home. Let your neighbors know you will be gone and ask them to keep an eye on your home for you. If any criminal or suspicious activity is suspected, homeowners are encouraged to report to authorities, and not to intervene.
Below are some additional crime prevention/safety reminders. You may read these and think these are just common sense, but you’d be surprised how often these silly things can lead to theft.
1. Garage Doors – Check that your garage doors are closed at all times. Burglaries do not just happen at night, crimes of opportunity often happen during the day.
2. Garage Remotes – Check that your garage door openers are not left in your vehicle if it is parked outside. If your vehicle must be outside and it has a built-in clicker, lock the door into your home at night.
3. Don’t give thieves your keys - Don't leave spare house keys in hiding spots around the house; experienced thieves know even the best hiding places.
Cameras Can Help Solve Crimes
Many residents already have security cameras at the front of their homes or in place of their doorbells. You may want to consider adding cameras to the sides and rear of your home to capture anyone entering your back yard. If you have cameras, let the SRPD know by filling out their Citizens View form on their website. They will contact you if there are any crimes in your area that your cameras may have captured images of. Any footage that you capture may be the missing piece the police need to solve a crime. The City of San Ramon and the SRPD also have Flock Cameras throughout the City, so any vehicles entering the community are likely to be captured and can be cross referenced with their database.
Start a Neighborhood Watch Group for Your Street
Starting a neighborhood watch is all about getting to know each other, taking time to care about each other and work together in a program of mutual assistance. It can be as informal as getting your neighbors’ phone numbers, creating a group text and checking in with them if you see something suspicious. If you would like to have a more formal neighborhood watch, the San Ramon Police can help facilitate a meeting where your group will be trained on how to recognize and report suspicious activities in your neighborhood. You will learn various Crime Prevention Strategies on protecting your home, yourself and your children. Contact Administrative Coordinator Theresa Sanchez at 925-973-2740 or email at tsanchez@sanramon.ca.gov if you would like to have a formal meeting. Due to the size of the community, it does not make sense to have a neighborhood watch for all of Bent Creek Parc.
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