By Pamela Singleton, Sonitrol Pacific Director of Communications
Posted October 22, 2009

If you follow my blog or read Sonitrol Pacific’s newsletter, you know I often nag about the need to give attention to garages as they are a MAJOR point of weakness for home security. Many people spend significant dollars on locks and security cameras and motion activated lighting, but routinely leave their garage doors unlocked and vulnerable.

I received this crime alert from the Thurston County Sheriff’s Department this morning:
Date: October 22, 2009
Neighborhood/ Area: Southeast Thurston County
Nature of alert: Burglaries

Details: In the past week, Thurston County Sheriff’s deputies have responded to four burglaries. The incidents have occurred in the morning hours between 6 AM and 11 AM. In all reported burglaries, entry was made into the garage. The burglaries occurred in the: 17400 block of Topaz Lp., 16200 block of 148th Ave. SE, 16800 block of 123rd Ave. SE, and the 15100 block of Martinson Rd. SE.

Crime Prevention Tips:
• Leave blinds/curtains open.
• Make your residence appear as if someone is home: either leave a light or television on or use timers.
• Make sure your residence is secured.
• Lock your garage doors and windows.
• Inform a neighbor if you are going to be away for the night or longer.
• If you have a monitored alarm system, make sure that the alarm company knows how to contact you.
• If your alarm is not monitored and is audible outside make sure your neighbors know how to contact you.

For more tips, visit previous blog posts.