Security Tips

This page was developed based on information from the Albemarle County Police.  Home Security Tips Vehicle Security Tips Operation Identification Crime Information How to Report an Incident to the Police Home Security Tips Going on vacation?       Going to be away for awhile?       Make your home look occupied! Lock all outside doors before you leave or go to bed. Lock all windows. Leave lights on when you go out.  A radio playing is a good burglar deterrent.  If you are going to be away for any length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers so that your lights turn on at dusk and go off at bedtime.  Keep your garage door closed and locked.  An empty garage is a good sign that no one is at home. Don't allow daily deliveries to accumulate when you are gone.  Cancel them in person or by phone or ask a neighbor to take care of the mail, newspapers, and advertising circulations.  Never leave notes that can tip off burglars to your plans.  Arrange to have your lawn cut in the summer and walkways shoveled in the winter, if you are going to be away for an extended period of time. Lower the bell on your telephone so the ringing cannot be heard outside.  Never leave keys under flower pots, door mats, inside unlocked mailboxes or in other "secret" hiding places, burglars know them all. If you are going on vacation:  a) notify the police at (804) 296-5807 and tell them how long you will be gone, who has a key to your home and where you can be reached; b) ask your neighbors to keep an eye on your house and leave them a key so the home can be periodically inspected and ask them to vary the position of the shades and blinds from day to day; and  c) don't publicize your travel plans and don't tell strangers about them. Top Vehicle Security Tips Always lock your vehicle(s). Never Leave anything valuable in your vehicle.  This includes: Cell phones Money Backpacks Wallets Purses Packages Etc. If you must leave something in your vehicle, lock it in your trunk. When possible, park in a well-lit area. Report all suspicious vehicles and activities.  If possible, write down license plate numbers. Coordinate information and activities with your neighbors.  A good neighbor is the best crime prevention tool. For more information, please call the Albemarle Crime Prevention Office at 972-4079.  Top Operation Identification Operation I.D. is a nationwide program designed to discourage burglary and theft of valuables and provide an easy way to identify stolen property.  Most burglars steal property for re-sale.  With proper identification, the burglar will be unable to sell the property to others for profit.  Electric engravers are available to Albemarle County residents free of charge on a loan agreement.  All necessary forms, equipment and additional information can be obtained by calling the Albemarle County Police Department at (804) 296-5807. Top Crime Information Call "Crime Line" for residential crime information in Albemarle County.  Call the "Crime Line" at (804) 296-5880 and choose "option #1 - Sector C" for Forest Lakes. Top How to Report an Incident to the Police  (emergency or non-emergency)   Call 911 Give your name and address Briefly describe the event - what happened, when, where, and who was involved. Describe the suspect(s): sex and race, age, height, weight, hair color, clothing, distinctive characteristics such as beard, mustache, scars, or accent. Describe the vehicle if one was involved:  color, make, model, year, license plate, and special features such as stickers, dents, or decals. Top