Crime Prevention Tip of the Week: Are You Keeping Your Apartment Safe?

There have been a few burglaries in Park Slope recently, most of which where the crook has climbed in through an open rear window off a building’s fire escape.

On May 30, a burglar broke into a Pacific Street apartment and stole over $30,000 in electronics, jewelry and cash.

The 58-year-old victim told police that she left her Pacific Street apartment, between Fourth and Fifth avenues, at 1 p.m. When she returned home around 2:20 p.m., she found that a burglar broke in through the apartment's rear window and stole a whopping $30,300 in electronics, jewelry and cash. The crook, who was caught on camera climbing in through the back window, stole three laptops, $25,000 in assorted jewelry and $2,600 in cash.  

But, these break-ins can be prevented.

This week, the NYPD’s Community Affairs Bureau wants to teach you how to keep your home and valuables safe from burglars. Read below to find out how to safeguard your apartment:

Statistics tell us 30 percent of all apartment burglars gained access through an open door or window. Here are some tips on reducing the opportunity for a thief to gain access into your home. 

• Install two locks on your entryway doors and lock both of them when leaving. 
• Lock your windows. Are your double-hung windows pinned? Consider adding a latch to allow fresh air in, but prevent the window from being opened more than a few inches. Most new windows have this feature built in, so be sure to use it. 
• Is your window air conditioner secured from inside? 
• Close your shades/curtains and do not leave valuable items such as laptops, jewelry and electronics in plain view of a window or door. It is common for a thief to steal these items off of tables and desks that are in close proximity of a window even when you are home. 

For more information on preventing theft, or for other crime prevention and personal safety tips visit the NYPD’s Crime Prevention Bureau’s site: website: http://tinyurl.com/3oz2j4j.