Summer Time Crime Prevention

Warm weather brings people out into the community and provides us with the opportunity to enjoy our yards!  Unfortunately, this same weather and summer activities provide an environment for criminals to take advantage and steal.  There are measures we need to take to help keep our property secure.  

HOME

• Keep screen doors locked and install a stash stop on windows to keep these secure when you are home and want doors and windows open to enjoy the summer breeze.  Have a routine in place everytime you leave to close and lock all windows and doors. 
• Do not keep trash cans or other large objects near your home that criminals can climb up onto to reach windows.
• Do not keep tools or other objects out in your yard that criminals can either steal or use to break a window (i.e. yard tools, loose landscape bricks, toys).
• Keep the garage closed and locked when you go back inside your home after working in your yard. Criminals are known to walk right up a driveway and into a garage to take a bicycle or lawn mower. 
• Keep porch lights and garage light on at night, or install motion sensor lights.

VEHICLE

• Remove everything from your vehicle. Give it a good summertime clean out.  Criminals are known to break into cars to rifle through piles of junk because they believe they will find valuables.
• Never leave anything of value in your vehicle - including a handgun!  Theft from auto can be reduced or even eliminated if everyone removed items from their vehicle (i.e., laptops, purses, phone cords, loose change, etc.)
• Close the windows and lock the doors everytime you park, even in your own driveway.
• Don't keep spare keys inside a vehicle.

REMINDERS FOR CHILDREN 

• Always put your bicycle in your garage, do not leave it in the front yard or driveway unattended. And remember to wear a helmet while riding your bicycle.
• Let your family know where you going when you leave and how long you will be gone.
• Play in your yard and not in the street.  When you are done playing, put all your toys into your garage to keep them safe.
• Never play with BB guns or airsoft pistols. These are real weapons and it is illegal to shoot them in the City of Euclid.
• When you see a Euclid Police Officer - wave and say "hello", maybe you'll make a new friend!

VACATION TIPS

• Arrange for a friend or neighbor to pick up your mail or newspapers, or stop the delivery.
• Have a plan for someone to mow your lawn if you are gone longer than one week, and take out your garbage and recycle cans.
• Use timers for interior lights and a radio.
• Allow your neighbors to park their cars in your driveway.
• Remove all exterior hidden house keys.

These are just a few things that can help secure our properties during the warm months of summer!  Watch out for your neighbors' properties and call 216-731-1234 if you see something suspcious so that Euclid Police can check it out.