Police Warn of Home Burglaries in New Campaign

Days after a gun was fired during a home invasion in Inwood, police are urging residents to take measures to protect themselves as they warn about the risks of home burglaries in Upper Manhattan.

An email from the 34th Precinct, sent an email announcing the new initiative to warn residents of the risks they pose when residents are relaxed about the security measures they have in place at home.

In many cases crime is opportunistic, so when homeowners present lax security measures, criminals will take advantage to target that particular residence to steal whatever they can get their hands on.

Police are suggesting to residents that they should close and lock fire escape windows and remove any valuable items that are located near windows, while also taking the time to secure air conditioners, making them difficult to remove from the outside. Doors should be locked, while dead locks should be employed as well as pick resistant cylinders on doors.

According to CompStat, almost all crime has increased by 22.95 percent this year in the 34th Precinct compared to last year. To date, burglaries rose by 66.7 percent with 165 incidents compared to 99 in 2010; robberies by 5.7 percent with 166 incidents being reported compared to 157 in 2010; auto theft rose by 31.2 percent with 63 incidents reported compared to 48 in 2010; and grand larceny was up by 17.5 percent with a total of 235 incidents reported so far compared to 200 in 2010.

Murder was also up by 250 percent with seven reports compared to two in 2010; rape saw an increase by 27.3 percent with 14 reports compared to 11; and felony assault increased by 11.7 percent with 143 incidents reported compared to 128 in 2010.

In order for homeowners to maintain their safety they should think about the sales where they can find stun guns for sale. These devices are designed to protect them in situations where their safety is in jeopardy in a non-lethal manner.

Not only that, but these days a self defense device is a tool that many people are relying on from members of the public to police departments to increase the safety of the person using it and the public without bringing about any unnecessary harm to those involved.