Crime Prevention
Protect your home from theft
Burglars most often enter homes through insecure windows and doors that are not visible from the street. Take these steps — or ask your landlord about taking these steps — to make sure your home is not attractive to burglars. Learn more about Crime Prevention through the Kingston Police's Crime Prevention Unit at 613-549-4660.
- Plan for your home to be secure while you are away. Have a friend or neighbor check on your place, pick-up mail, shovel the walkway if it snows and make your home look occupied. Cancel your morning paper for the time period you plan to be gone. Never leave a phone answering message indicating you are away. Queen's University students can register at the AMS front desk for two free checks per week during the December holiday break.
- Light your house to make it look as if you are home and to eliminate dark spaces from its exterior. Set a timer to turn on an interior light while you are away. Motion sensitive exterior lights can also effectively deter burglars.
- Make windows and doors visible from the street. Privacy attracts thieves. Trim trees, and clear bushes or fences so that neighbours are more likely to notice a burglar in your yard.
- Store valuables out of sight of windows. A good place to store valuables is in a general basement storage area as burglars generally look for hiding spots on upper floors.
- Mark your valuables. Learn more about "Operation Identification" through the Kingston Police's Crime Prevention Unit (613-549-4660).
- Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors. Door-knob locks are easy to break into.
- Make sliding doors more secure by bracing them with a security bar or piece of wood.
- Basement windows are a preferred entry point for burglars, so take measures to make them less attractive by adding curtains, or ask your landlord about adding security bars.
- Keep garage doors closed and locked. Keep ladders locked in the garage.
- Be a good neighbour. Your neighbours will be happy to keep an eye on your home if you show that you are happy to do the same for them and demonstrate pride of ownership/rentalship.
Be a Crime Stopper
- If you see a crime being committed, call 911.
- To report that a break-in has occurred call Kingston Police at 613-549-4660.
- To offer an anonymous tip on a crime that has been, is being, or is expected to be committed, call Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-tips. Your tip could earn you a reward.
