As the weather warms up and summer activities get into full swing, it is common to see a seasonal uptick in certain types of crime. With more people traveling, leaving homes unattended, and spending time outdoors, opportunities for theft, vandalism, and other crimes increase. Staying vigilant and taking a few simple precautions can go a long way in protecting your home, belongings, and personal safety. Please see below for some practical and effective crime prevention tips to help you enjoy a safe and worry-free summer.

Vehicle Security

As the summer weather encourages outside activities like hiking, biking, surfing or other outdoor sports, many people leave valuables in their cars for convenience. However, this common habit makes parking areas easy targets for burglars, who may break into vehicles even if they are locked. To avoid theft and inconvenience, it’s important to plan ahead and avoid leaving valuables in your car.

Here are four things you should do:

1. Pack light. Leave anything at home that you don’t absolutely need and that you don’t want to carry with you.
2. Utilize zipper pockets or a fanny pack for essentials. Take small items that you don’t want to leave at home with you if possible – for example: keys, cell phone, ID or credit cards.
3. Hide valuables before you get to your destination. If you must leave something in your car, place that item in your trunk (where it is not visible) prior to arriving at the parking area. You never know if a burglar is hanging out in that area watching for victims to make it obvious exactly where they stored their valuables.
4. Lock your car. An unlocked car is an easy target for burglars who are looking for convenient opportunities. Keeping your car locked is one of the best ways to avoid having it rummaged through.

Bike Security

With the topic of outdoor activities in mind, we should also note that summer is a very common time for an uptick in bike thefts to occur.

• Always lock your bicycle when left unattended
• Use a high-quality lock (for example: hardened steel U-lock or hardened steel chain and padlock) to secure your bike to a fixed object.
• Maintain your bicycle information somewhere easily accessible
• Report your bicycle if it is ever lost or stolen
• Maintain an updated picture of your bicycle
• Consider adding a tracking device to your bike.
• Register your bicycle (for free) at www.project529.com/newportbeach – this can help police get your bike back to you if it is stolen.
• If your bike is stolen, report the theft to police as soon as possible by calling 949-644-3717 or make a police report online.

Home Security

Vacation season is upon us! As you make your travel plans, don’t forget that an empty home is often an appealing target for a burglar.  Take these steps to make your home safer while you’re away:

• Take steps to make your home look “lived in”.  Use timers so that lights, radios, and televisions go on and off throughout the house, to give the appearance that someone is home.
• Have a neighbor or friend pick up mail, packages, and newspapers.
• Continue your gardening service or have a neighbor maintain your lawn in your absence.
• Install and use good locks on all windows and doors.
• Never leave a house key under a doormat, in a flowerpot, or on the ledge of a door.  These are the first places that a burglar will look.
• Use dusk-to-dawn lighting in the front of the house to increase visibility.
• Install motion sensing lights and cameras on the sides of the house and backyard so you get an immediate notification if there is any activity in these areas.
• Don’t advertise that your home is empty.  Be mindful of the outgoing message on your voicemail/answering machine, public social media posts, etc.
• Consider requesting a Vacation Check while you’re away.

Garage Security

Since we are spending more time outdoors this time of year, that often means that we’re in and out of the garage more often. Don’t forget to keep garage doors closed unless you are physically present in the garage – it only takes a few seconds for a burglar looking for an easy opportunity to pop into your garage and snatch a bike, surfboard, golf clubs or other valuables and then disappear. 

Whether you’re heading out on vacation or simply enjoying time in your neighborhood, a little planning can go a long way in keeping you, your loved ones, and your property safe. Don’t forget to give NBPD a call right away if you observe any suspicious activity. Please take a moment to pull NBPD’s non-emergency dispatch number into your phone so you have it handy when you need it: 949-644-3717

Thank you for working with us to keep Newport Beach a safe, enjoyable place to visit and live!