Tips to Crime Proof Your Home
While it is impossible to completely protect your home, the Dallas Police Department has provided a few easy steps to help make your home look secure to a criminal. Following these steps decreases the chances of your home being targeted by a criminal.
- Security System - If your home does not have one at least put a sign in the front and back of your yard. Security signs can easily be purchased on line.
- Lights, lights, lights - Criminals prefer to work in the dark where they are less visible. Leave on lights in both the front and back of your home. Lights with motion detector sensors are also a good idea.
- Security Camera’s – If you cannot afford to install a camera, a fake outside camera will also deter criminals. Consider one with a blinking light and even a fake wire appearing to go into your home for monitoring.
- Crime Watch decals – Use these decals on all door entrances.
- Mark your electronics with your driver's license number. Use a UV pen which is inexpensive and can easily be purchase online.
If you see or hear something and it does not seem right call 911. It may take time for Dallas Police Department to dispatch a patrol car to the destination, but patrol cars in the area will deter crime.
Crime Watch
Why VIP?
The more VIP members we have, the more patrols we can have out in our neighborhood looking for things that are out of place. The marked patrol cars also serve as a visible sign of our commitment to safety in our neighborhood.
The Glen Meadow goal would be to have at least one to two patrols a day, five days a week. You can help make that happen by becoming a Very Important VIP.
What does it take to be a VIP member?
- Be at least 21 years of age
- Have a valid driver's license
- Be a member of an established homeowners group (like GMNA)
- Must not have any:
- outstanding warrants or tickets
- felony convictions
- misdemeanor A or B convictions in the last five years
- DWI convictions in the last ten years
- outstanding warrants or tickets
- Must agree to, and pass a criminal history check
- Sign a liability waiver
- Complete all required training successfully (1/2 day Saturday training)
Apply with the Dallas Police Department by completing and mailing the application, waiver of liability, and confidentiality forms to the Northwest substation on Harry Hines. These forms are available online at www.dallaspolice.net/community/volunteerProgram.html or you can contact Peggy Dowdey (972.247.4675) or Bill Woster at bwoster@hotmail.com.
Once the background check is complete, you will be scheduled for the next half-day training session at the Northwest substation. This training usually occurs on a quarterly basis or sooner if there are enough volunteers to fill a class.
Residential Security Tips
- Use quality locks on all entrances, including service doors and gates.
- Don't leave keys "hidden" outside of your home.
- Keep doors locked even when you or family are at home.
- Install locks on your fuse boxes or power panel and other external power sources.
- If you have bars on your windows, review fire safety and escape routes with your family.
- If you have security alarms, check and use them.
- Keep at least one fire extinguisher on each floor, in addition to one in the kitchen.
- Regularly check smoke detectors and replace batteries.
- Vary daily routines and avoid predictable behavior patterns.
- Know where your family members are at all times.
Volunteers in Patrol
Volunteers in Patrol (VIP's) are our neighborhood's most visible deterrent to crime. These volunteers patrol our alleys and streets looking for potential crimes or problems. They look for persons or vehicles which seem suspicious or out of place. If warranted, our VIPs will call Dallas Police Department to investigate.