Hello, I’m Sheriff Wayne Ivey of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office. This month, we
are focusing our Crime Prevention tips on personal security. Our philosophy is that
the best way to protect you is to keep you informed so you never become the victim of
crime. Here are some tips on how you can stay safe at home.
The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office is proud to offer free and confidential home security
surveys to show you how you can better secure your home.
There are many things you can do to protect your home and family.
• Install quality deadbolt locks on all exterior doors and locks on all windows and
use them. • Remove or trim shrubbery that hides doors
and windows so neighbors or passersby can see someone trying to break into your home.
• Light the outside of your home to discourage prowling or loitering.
• If you have an alarm, use it, even when you are at home. A watchdog offers additional
protection. • The Brevard County Sheriff’s Office
offers a free program to help you keep a record of the serial numbers of your belongings.
You can download it at www.BrevardSheriff.com.
If A Stranger Is At Your Door: • Never indicate you are home alone.
• Do not open the door to anyone you do not know without first verifying the person's
identity. Do not open the door to a stranger requesting help or the use of your telephone.
Offer to make the telephone call yourself while the stranger waits outside.
• When a package is delivered, ask that the parcel be left outside the door. Receipts
that require a signature can be slipped under the door. Open the door and pick up the package
only when you are positive the delivery person has left.
• Children should be trained not to answer the door.
When you leave your home: • Use timing devices to turn on inside lights
and radios to give the appearance that your home is occupied. Setting timers to go on
and off at different hours in different rooms is also a good idea.
• If no one will be at home for more than a few days, arrange to have a relative, trusted
friend or neighbor pick up your mail.
When you return home: • Have your door key in your hand when approaching
your entryway. • At night, keep car headlights on and car
doors locked until you have checked your garage or parking area. Look around before you get
out of your car. • If you are driven home, ask the driver
to wait until you are safely inside. • Never go into your home if anything seems
unusual, such as an open door or a broken window. Leave immediately to a place where
you can call the police. Do not go into your home until the police advise it is safe.
Keys: • Give a duplicate house key to a relative,
trusted friend or neighbor in case you are ever locked out.
• Do not hide house keys in mailboxes, in planters, under doormats, or other places
they might be easily found. This will prevent criminals from finding an easy way into your
home. • Leave only your ignition key with the
car when it is valet parked, serviced or repaired; and if you lose the keys to your home, change
the locks as soon as possible. Do not leave your garage door opener in your car.
NEIGHBORHOOD WATCH • Get to know your neighbors and discuss
your concerns and ideas to improve security in your neighborhood.
• Exchange work and vacation schedules with a trusted neighbor so that you can keep an
eye on each other's homes. • Report broken streetlights.
• Join or start a Neighborhood Watch program as a method of organizing a network of people
interested in working together to improve neighborhood security. Contact the Brevard
County Sheriff’s Office Crime Prevention Team at (321)264-7755 to help you organize
a Neighborhood Watch group.
On behalf of the nearly 1500 proud men and women of the Brevard County Sheriff’s Office,
thank you for watching and sharing this important information with your family and friends.
For more information about our Crime Prevention programs or to schedule a free home survey
to help you secure your home, please visit www.BrevardSheriff.com, or call our Crime
Prevention Team at (321)264-7755.