How to Avoid Summertime Crime

Summer is just around the corner, and with it will come days at the pool, vacations and a possible increase in property crimes.

According to the Tampa Police Department, crimes such as vehicle burglary, vehicle theft, residential burglary and vandalism typically rise during the summer months.

New Tampa residents can reduce the risk of becoming victims of summertime crime by being proactive, police say. Here's how:

• Make sure your home is secured when you are home, as well as when you leave. Lock all doors and set the alarm if you have one.

• Keep your garage door closed unless you are in the immediate area. Many bicycles, lawn mowers, tools, vehicles and other various items are stolen from open garages each year. An open garage door or an attached garage also creates easier access to your home for burglars.

• Do not leave your garage door remote, purse, wallet, laptop, extra keys, etc. in your vehicle especially if you are not parking it in your garage.

• Join Operation ID and engrave your property with your Florida driver’s license number (NOT your social security number). The Tampa Police Department recovers stolen property everyday, but we cannot return it unless we know who it belongs to.

• Check your property daily and pick up any trash or debris. Check your lighting weekly and repair or replace any broken lights. Having unkempt property sends the message that you don’t care.

• Make sure your landscaping is maintained; trees should be trimmed seven feet up from the ground and bushes should not be higher than three feet. Unkempt landscaping creates hiding places for criminals.

• Report every crime, every time: Report all criminal activity promptly to the police. If you do not report your property stolen, we cannot recover it and we cannot charge a suspect in possession of that property with a crime. Additionally, if the police do not know that crimes are occurring in your area we will not know where to focus our patrols.

• Watch out for your neighbors. Let your neighbors know that they have left their garage door open or their vehicle running. Also, let your neighbors know if you have been a victim of any type of crime so that they are aware of criminal activity in your neighborhood.

• Remember that criminals commit crimes when given the opportunity. Take away their opportunities and help the Tampa Police Department put the heat on the criminals.

For more information, call TPD Crime Prevention at 813-354-6692.

Let Patch save you time. Get great local stories like this delivered right to your inbox or smartphone everyday with our free newsletter. Simple, fast, sign-up here.

See also:

• Police Urge New Tampa Residents to Look Out for Burglars
• Tampa Police Offer Tips to Make Businesses Safer