Neighborhood Watch

By Chuck Foster, Chair

On October 23, I attended the Citizen Advisory Council (CAC) that is hosted by the Reston District Station. Major Mohammed Oluwa, the station commander, discussed a recent spike in home burglaries. Locations included Great Falls and an area just north of the Dulles toll road. These cases are open.         

This situation reminds us of the importance of deterrence through a variety of means. The website lakeportcluster.org has a tab labeled “Neighborhood Watch.” On that page, you will find a link to an article with the title “Profile of a Burglar.” In that article you will find the technical definition of burglary and two studies that discuss the mindsets and methods of burglars, as provided by inmates.      

Burglars seek to avoid confrontation and wish to exit a residence quietly and quickly. There are things you can do to make your home an unattractive target. Below is a summary of tactics:   

• Locked windows and doors
• Sturdy doors and windows
• Exterior and interior lights on
• The sound of a TV, music, or radio
• A large dog with a loud bark
• A vehicle in the driveway
• An indication of a security system (and one that works)
• A surveillance camera (however, signs of heavy fortification could indicate there are expensive valuables inside)
• Trimmed bushes and trees
• Neighbors that look out for one another’s property
• Foot traffic in the area
• The visibility of your daily routine - do you broadcast your comings and goings such that a burglar could predict when you will not be home?
• Do not post on social media that you are on vacation!
• No outside signage or bumper stickers that project wealth or desirable items inside (e.g., NRA sticker).