Crime Prevention Tips

Crime Prevention is everyone's responsibility. Crime Prevention is a community effort. By working together, neighbours can increase the security and safety of their homes and neighbourhood.

• Get to know your neighbours, their schedules, tenants and kids.
• Get involved in Block Watch or Crime-Free Multi-Housing.
• Be proactive in your neighbourhood, including your apartment or townhouse community.
• Report suspicious activity to the police immediately.

Apartments, Townhouses and Gated Communities

Apartments, townhouses and gated communities require additional strategies for home security.

• Do not put your salutation (Miss, Mr., Mrs., Dr. etc...) on intercom panels or mailboxes.
• Remove labels from doors that identify common areas.
• Request that windows be installed on doors leading to common areas such as stairways, parking lot or garage, laundry room etc...
• Do not admit anyone you don't know to your building or complex.
• When entering or leaving the parking garage or complex gate, watch the gate close completely before driving off.
• Be involved in your complex or building - get to know the other residents so you know who belongs.

Home Security

Crime Prevention is a community effort. By working together, neighbours can increase the security and safety of their neighbourhood.

• Get to know your neighbours, who lives in the household, their schedules.
• Get involved in Block Watch or Crime-Free Multi-Housing.
• Be proactive in your neighbourhood, especially if you reside in an apartment building or townhouse.
• Report suspicious activity to the police immediately.

Make your home a hard target for thieves.

• Trim trees and shrubs so doors and windows are visible to your neighbours and from the street.
• Don't hide keys around the exterior of your home.
• Keep your property well maintained and clear of clutter.
• Use motion detector lights on the exterior of your home.
• Use light timers on the interior of your home.
• Don't leave tools and ladders lying around; secure them in a locked shed or garage.

Door and Window Security

Doors and windows should be the focus of home security. These are the most accessible entry points for thieves.

• Equip all exterior doors with a wide angle door viewer (e.g. peep hole)
• Install dead bolt locks with a minimum 1" throw on all exterior doors.
• Use 3" screws in hinges and striker plates.
• Be sure that all exteriors doors are of solid core construction.
• Reinforce windows and sliding glass doors with secondary locks, anti-lift devices etc.
• Place a length of dowling in the lower track of the window frame.
• Bolt window mounted air conditioners in place from inside the house.
• Doors must allow unrestricted exit from a building. Doors with double cylinder locks are not permitted by the Fire Commissioner's Office.