Crime Tracker Fighting Back – Week One

Drive down any street in your neighborhood and odds are you'll see a number of things that can make any home a potential target for a burglar.

“The one thing that you lose in a break-in that money and insurance cannot replace is peace of mind."

Security expert Dennis Stricklin says your job is to create as many layers of defense as possible.

Sometimes, what you consider trash is a goldmine for a robber.

"He sees the TV box, computer monitor and he says ‘I could get some good money for that.’ So your home becomes a target because of this right here," Stricklin said.

Your mailbox is also a target.

Heading out of town? Temporarily stop delivery of your mail and newspaper.

Also -- take your name off your mailbox. By displaying it, you're giving criminals personal information they can use immediately.
"That means that they can go to a phone book. They can find your name and call the house a couple of times,"

…which leads us to your voicemail message. You’ve basically told the perpetrator what he wanted to know – that you're not home right now."

Instead, Stricklin suggests you record something more generic.

"Sorry I missed your call, leave your name and number at the tone and we'll return your call."

When you take a vacation or head out to run errands, shut and lock all windows and your doors.

You should also leave a radio on, or you can turn your TV on. This simple trick gives the impression you or someone else is still home."

And if you have one, an alert dog is another line of defense that will send most burglars running the other way.

Other suggestions: take in all your outdoor tools – especially that ladder sitting on the side of your house.

Trim your trees and bushes. If you don't, you're providing the burglar perfect camouflage.

And don't hide that spare key under your doormat or potted plant.

Next time – a local security expert shows us what you can do to create even more barriers on a budget of just $150.