estates of bradley park · neighborhood watch teaches you the steps that you can take to help...

1 Estates of Bradley Park, Puyallup, WA

Estates of Bradley Park Neighborhood Watch

Home Security

Disaster Preparedness


Estates of Bradley Park Neighborhood Watch

A good neighbor is one of the most effective

crime prevention tools.


A Neighborhood Watch program is the cornerstone of all

crime prevention programs. It enlists the active participation

of citizens in cooperation with law enforcement to reduce

burglaries and other neighborhood crimes. Its primary pur-

pose is the protection of property, yours and your neigh-

bors.

Most home burglaries occur during the day and early even-

ing hours when alert neighbors could spot the thief and call

police. Concerned citizens are doing just that. They are part

of a Neighborhood Watch program with neighbors looking

out for neighbors.

Neighborhood Watch crime prevention programs are a

proven and effective means to substantially reduce not only the incidence of residential burglaries in a specif-

ic geographical area, but also the incidence of other crimes. A good neighbor is one of the most effective

crime prevention tools ever invented.

Neighborhood Watch teaches you the steps that you can take to help protect your own home. It also organ-

izes a neighborhood group which can make crime prevention part of every person’s daily routine, just by

watching out for each other. Your job is to REPORT suspicious activity to police. It is THEIR job to handle the

crooks!

Neighborhood Watch involves:

Neighbors getting to know each other.

Recognizing and reporting suspicious activities. Become a neighborhood “watcher”. If you see a crime or

suspicious activity in the neighborhood, immediately report what you have seen to police.

Implementation of crime prevention techniques, such as home security, and Operation Identification

make it more difficult for criminals to commit a crime in our community and at your home.

Establishing a telephone tree or distribution list on your computer to share and update each other with

neighborhood information.

Introduction


Ways to Participate Being an active member of the block is easy:

Know your neighbors! Get phone numbers, vacation dates, and general work hours from them.

Be alert to unusual or suspicious behavior in the neighborhood. Call law enforcement if warranted. Write down

descriptions of the person(s) and license numbers of any vehicles involved.

Tell a trusted neighbor if your house will be unoccupied for an extended period. Tell him or her how to reach you

in an emergency.

Look after your neighbors’ homes when they are away, and ask them to look after yours. This includes picking up

mail or newspapers and putting back the garbage cans or recycling bins. Don’t leave signals that say “no one is

home.”

Remember, your job is to REPORT crime. The responsibility for apprehending criminals belongs to law enforce-

ment.

Sign Up Visit the Estates of Bradley Park neighborhood website and sign up for email updates, you’ll get:

General neighborhood watch communications for the Estates of Bradley Park.

Get Puyallup Police crime reports delivered to your inbox detailing out things to watch for and general crime in-

formation for the City of Puyallup.

Visit http://www.estatesofbradleypark.com for more information.


Keep an Eye Out! Some people fail to recognize a crime simply because they are not aware of

what seemingly innocent activities might be suspicious. Others may notice

suspicious activity and be hesitant to call for fear of being a nosy neighbor.

Many often take it for granted that someone else has already called the po-

lice.

Things to look for:

Anything that seems “out of place,” or that is occurring at an unusual time

of day could be criminal activity. Some things to watch for and report in-

clude:

A stranger entering your neighbor’s house when it is unoccupied.

Anyone removing accessories, license plates, or gas from a vehicle.

The sound of breaking glass or loud explosive sound.

People loitering in the neighborhood.

Vehicles being loaded with valuables and parked in front of a unattended residence, even if the vehicle looks

legitimate.

Apparent business transactions being conducted from a vehicle.

People being forced into vehicles, especially if they are juveniles or females.

An abandoned vehicle parked on your street: This may be a stolen car.

People making a quick change of vehicles.

One or more juveniles walking casually through the neighborhood looking into backyards, cars, etc.

Open or broken doors or windows at a closed business or residence.

Anyone forcing entrance into or tampering with a residence, business, or vehicle.

Any person taking a short-cut through aback yard: They may have just broken into your neighbor’s home.

Any vehicles moving slowly and without lights, or following a course that appears to be repetitive in any loca-

tion. Occupants may be looking for places to rob or burglarize, or they could be drug dealers or sex offenders.

Parked, occupied vehicles containing one or more persons at an unusual hour. The occupants could be look-

outs for a possible burglary.

Juveniles going door-to-door looking for extra work or asking for donations. They may be casing your home for

possible burglary opportunities.


Be a Good Witness Under no circumstances attempt to apprehend a person committing a crime or try to investigate suspicious activi-

ty. The police want your information – not your action. The police department would rather investigate than be

called when it is too late. Your call could save a life, prevent an injury or stop a criminal act. BE ALERT.

Not every stranger who comes into your neighborhood is a criminal, by any means. There are many door-to-door

salesmen, repairmen, and servicemen moving around our neighborhood all the time. But criminals do take ad-

vantage of this by pretending to be legitimate workmen.

If you see something suspicious, use the next couple of forms to help you describe the person or vehicle.


Estates of Bradley Park Home Security

Be proactive! Simple additions to your doors and

windows can make a big difference.


Exterior Doors:

Lock your doors! Day or night, even if you leave the

house for 5 minutes.

Ensure your doors are solid wood or metal and have a

good locking system (handle lock and deadbolt).

Spare keys are kept with a trustworthy neighbor/friend.

If you need to hide one, then hide it in a place only

known to your family (not under the door mat).

Garage and Sliding Door Security:

Garage doors are closed and rear doors are locked.

Access doors to your home, via your garage, are sturdy and locked.

A dowel or locking device secures your sliding doors. Preventing the sliding door to be pushed in or lifted off its

track.

Protecting Windows:

Windows are closed and locked when you leave. Especially first floor windows.

If open a few inches for ventilation, ensure a lock is installed preventing the window from being lifted higher.

Place a dowel in each of your windows, even the windows on the 2nd story of your house.

Outdoor Security:

Shrubs and bushes are trimmed so there is no place for someone to hide or access windows/doors w/out being

seen.

Outdoor lights (hardwired or motion) cover your front and back doors.

Home Security Basics


Puyallup Police Department Residential Survey

Use the following survey from the Puyallup Police Department to educate yourself on

how to protect your home and property.


1. Are all exterior doors of the house made of metal or solid wood construction, with door viewers on solid exterior

doors?

2. Are door frames strong enough & tight enough to prevent forcing, spreading, or jimmying?

3. Are door hinges protected from removal from the outside & if not, is a security hinge installed?

4. Are there windows in any door or within 40 inches of the locks?

5. Are all door locks adequate & in good repair?

6. Are strike plates adequate & properly installed with 1 ½ screws?

7. Can the locking mechanism be reached through a mail slot, delivery port, or pet entrance in the doorway?

8. Are all entrances lighted with at least a 40 watt light bulb?

9. Can the front entrance be observed from the street or public areas?

10. Does the porch or landscaping offer concealment from the street or public areas?

11. Does the sliding glass door have adequate locking devices & can the panel be secured from being lifted out of

the track?


DOORS


1. Are all entrances from the garage to the living quarters of a metal or solid wood construction?

2. Does the door from the garage to the living quarters have locks adequate for an exterior entrance?

3. Are all garage windows properly secured and are the locking devices secured and working properly?

4. Does the garage door opener have a circuit cutoff to the garage door opener or can the power be turned off

the unit?

5. Does the garage door opener have a light that turns on when the garage door is opened & is it working proper-

ly?

6. Does the garage door have adequate locking devices?

7. Is the garage door kept secured and locked at all times?

8. If the garage door is not in use for a period of time, can the door be secured with a padlock?

9. Does the garage interior contain a attic entrance door in the ceiling & if so, is there a locking device installed?

10. Is the outside utility entrance to the garage as secured as required for all ground floor entrances & if the door

contains a window, does the glass have impact resistant tinting or security screening?

11. Are there tools and ladders kept in the garage?

12. Are all entrances to the garage lighted on the outside by at least 40 watt light bulbs?

13. Does the occupant keep the auto panic alarm remote near them at night in case of an intrusion attempt?


GARAGE


1. Do all windows have adequate locks in operating condition?

2. Do windows contain supplemental locking devices that allow ventilation, yet provide a visual security deterrent?

3. Do windows have screens or storm windows that lock from the inside?

4. Are there windows that open to areas that might be hazardous or are prone to entry by burglars?

5. Are exterior windows free from concealing structures or landscaping?

6. Is the exterior adequately lighted at all window areas with motion detector lighting?

7. Are trees and shrubbery kept trimmed back from windows to allow a visual line of sight from the street or public

areas?

8. Are ladders kept outside the house where they are accessible?

9. Do windows have impact resistant tinting?


WINDOWS


1. Does the home have a security alarm system that is functional and meets the needs of the homeowner?

2. Does the alarm system have a reliable monitoring service and cellular back-up, incase the line is disconnected?

3. Is the alarm panel visual from the outside, allowing a potential burglar the ability to determine the alarm is ac-

tive?

4. Does the alarm panel have adequate features for the needs of the homeowner, i.e. Intrusion, Fire, Panic, remote

notification?

5. Does the alarm system have an inside audible alarm that will provide adequate sound to distract or deter a bur-

glar?

6. Does the alarm system have exterior door intrusion detectors?

7. Does the alarm system have exterior window intrusion detector devices such as glass breaking sensors or mag-

netic tape?

8. Does the alarm system have motion detectors that cover exterior entrance points & are they set for pets to avoid

false alarms?

9. Some alarm companies offer homeowners cellular notification options in the event of detected intrusion. The

homeowner should notify the police before they respond to the home.

10. House numbers should be clearly visible from the street allowing emergency responders to locate the home

quickly.


ALARMS


The homeowner should consider a home safe for the storage of firearms, precious metals, cameras, coin collects &

money, and documents. This safe must be approved by Underwriters Laboratories (UL) as burglar & fire resistant.

The safe should also be mounted to the floor or wall beam.

All valuables such as electronics, computer equipment, televisions, collectables, & jewelry, should be recorded,

marked, and photographed in the event of a burglary, fire, or hurricane. Property should be marked in a non-

conspicuous location with an owner applied marking. It is recommended that the driver’s license of the owner be

used and marked as: WA DL LASTNFM000X1. This will allow Law Enforcement Agencies across the world to identify

the property, but is not a number criminals can easily access or use. All valuable property should be recorded by

owner applied numbers, serial numbers, and model numbers. They should also be photographed for identification.

All records of these items should be stored of site or sent to a friend or relative out of state.

The Puyallup Police Department encourages homeowners to report all suspicious activity as well a quality of life con-

cerns. If the homeowner observes safety issues such as:

Street lights that are out or not operating properly.

Roadway hazards or signs that are damaged.

Homes that are unoccupied in need of repair or are health hazards.

Conditions in the neighborhood that would encourage criminal behavior.

Vehicles speeding or driving recklessly through the neighborhood.

Suspicious persons checking vehicles or soliciting in the neighborhood.

Suspicious vehicles parked or driving around the neighborhood.

Remember, Crime Prevention “BEGINS WITH YOU” learn to protect your community from crime and reduce to

criminal opportunity.


HOME SECURITY RECOMMENDATIONS


The homeowner should prepare their homes before going on vacation or leaving their home unoccupied for long

periods of time. Here are some helpful hints:

Notify the Puyallup Police that you are going to be gone from your home and request a “House Check”. A Police

Officer will check your home periodically while you are gone, and notify your listed contacts if there is a problem.

Simply call (253) 841-5415 for this service.

Develop a relationship with your neighbors. Have them watch your home, pick-up your papers or flyers that

are left at the door or driveway. Have them collect your mail or packages that are left at the door. Encourage

them to park in your driveway periodically to appear someone is home. Have them turn on & off exterior, interior

lights or even a television or radio.

Do not publicize that you will be gone from your home; you never know who will know you will be gone or who

they will tell.

Turn the bells and ringers down or off on telephones & answering machines, burglaries will hear them and know

they are not being answered or see the message light on the answering machine from a window.

Lock your garage door and disconnect your garage door opener.


GOING ON VACATION TIPS


1. Lock all doors, including the garage door. _____

2. Lock all windows, including basement and garage windows. _____

3. Cancel all deliveries such as newspaper, food services, etc. _____

4. Have mail and newspapers picked up by a neighbor if possible. _____

5. Have someone pick up handbills and throw-aways. _____

6. Never leave a note on the door that may indicate your absence. _____

7. Arrange to have the lawn cut & watered or the snow shoveled. _____

8. Adjust blinds to make the house/apartment appear to be occupied. _____

9. Place a light or two on automatic timers. _____

10. Remove ladders from sight and secure them in locked places. _____

11. Don’t hide keys under doormats or flowerpots or in similar places. _____

12. Secure items such as jewelry, furs, cameras, credit cards, and checkbooks _____

13. Arrange for a house-sitter, someone to live in your house while you are away, if possible. _____

14. Arrange for a neighbor to keep an eye on your property and to report anything suspicious to police. _____

15. Let a neighbor know where you can be reached in case of an emergency. _____

16. Arrange with a neighbor to leave his or her car parked in your driveway or in front of your house. _____

17. Leave a radio on just inside your doorway. _____

18. Lower the tone on your telephone. _____

19. Ask neighbors not to tell strangers such as salespersons and repair persons of your absence. _____

20. Do not advertise your absence in the local social notices. _____

21. Notify your local law-enforcement agency of your absence. _____

Vacation Check List


Vehicle break ins and theft are often crimes of opportunity. Vehicles are targeted if they are left unlocked, keys in

the vehicle, and valuables are left in sight. You may be able to prevent a crime to your vehicle by making a habit of

the following precautions:

Always lock your vehicle no matter how short your absence.

Never leave your car running unattended - even if it is in your driveway.

Do not leave your children in a car unattended, even for a few minutes.

Do not leave pets in vehicles, temperatures may soar inside your car, even on moderate days.

Consider your vehicle to be a display case. What are you putting on display? Keep all valuables out of sight or

out of the car.

Make sure your windows are rolled up tightly.

Do not hide spare keys on the vehicle.

Do not keep a spare key in your wallet. Someone may break into your car if your wallet is stolen.

Park in well lighted areas.

Vehicle Security Basics

Safety while driving:

When entering your car, have your key ready and survey your surroundings for people. If there is someone sus-

picious near, leave and come back later.

If you are bumped by another vehicle, motion to the driver to follow you to a populated, well-lighted area. Try

to get a description of the driver, vehicle and license plate number.

Keep the doors locked at all times. When traveling at slow speeds or stopped in an new area, keep your win-

dows rolled up. Do not keep valuables, such as your purse or wallet, on the dash or the passenger seat.

Keep your passenger side doors locked at the gas station. Thieves may steal passenger side valuables while

your attention is diverted.

Keep your vehicle in good working order to prevent your vehicle from breaking

down.

When you are traveling into a new area fill your gas tank prior to traveling, pay

attention to where the last phone/establishment was, and pick a route before

traveling.


Estates of Bradley Park Disaster Preparedness

Preparing our neighborhood in case of a disaster


Through its Ready Campaign, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security educates and empowers Americans to take

some simple steps to prepare for and respond to potential emergencies, including natural disasters and terrorist at-

tacks. Ready asks individuals to do three key things: get an emergency supply kit, make a family emergency plan, and

be informed about the different types of emergencies that could occur and their appropriate responses. All Ameri-

cans should have some basic supplies on hand in order to survive for at least three days if an emergency occurs. The

previous section listed basic items that every emergency supply kit should include. However, it is important that indi-

viduals review this list and consider where they live and the unique needs of their family in order to create an emer-

gency supply kit that will meet these needs. Individuals should also consider having at least two emergency supply

kits, one full kit at home and smaller portable kits in their workplace, vehicle, or other places they spend time.

For more information on preparing your family and community for a disaster check out the www.Ready.gov web-

site. There are tips to prepare for particular disasters affecting your area as well as downloadable forms and check-

lists.


STEP ONE: Get a Kit The first step is making sure your family is safe and you have what you need to stay safe and healthy for the dura-

tion and aftermath of a disaster. Supplies must be ready because you usually don’t get much warning or time to

gather and pack supplies. If you wait, you may not find much in the stores after everyone else scrambles for food,

medical supplies, batteries, and water. Make it a family activity to get emergency supplies together. Children can

rotate supplies to keep water, batteries, and food fresh. You should practice fire escape plans and disaster evacua-

tion plans a couple of times a year. This way, if the “real” thing happens, your family will be calm and levelheaded.

Use old suitcases to pack disaster clothing and personal items; they are easy to grab in a hurry. Individuals with dis-

abilities need to plan for special needs. For example, they should have a pair of work gloves attached to the under-

side of their wheelchair in case they have to roll through debris, broken glass, etc. Don’t forget to plan for the sup-

plies your pets will need.

STEP TWO: Make a Plan Plan how to meet up and what to do at the house, for example: knowing how to turn off the gas and water to your

house. Your family may not be together when disaster strikes, so it is important to plan in advance: how you will

contact one another; how you will get back together; and what you will do in different situations.

Depending on your circumstances and the nature of the emergency, the first important decision is whether you

stay where you are or evacuate. You should understand and plan for both possibilities.

Identify an out-of town contact. It may be easier to make a long-distance phone call than to call across town, so

an out-of-town contact may be in a better position to communicate among separated family members.

STEP THREE: Be Informed Some of the things you can do to prepare for the unexpected, such as making an emergency supply kit and devel-

oping a family communications plan, are the same for both a natural or man-made emergency. However, there are

important differences among potential emergencies that will impact the decisions you make and the actions you

take. Learn more about the potential emergencies that could happen where you live and the appropriate way to re-

spond to them. In addition, learn about the emergency plans that have been established in your area by your state

and local government.

For more details and information on the steps, visit www.Ready.gov

Estates of Bradley Park Disaster Preparedness List To participate in our neighborhood disaster preparedness list, send a email to the HOA board and include:

Any skills that you possess that can help during a disaster such as CPR or handyman skills.

If you have a disability or will need assistance if a disaster occurs.

For more information on the Estates of Bradley Park Disaster Preparedness list visit:

http://www.estatesofbradleypark.com

3 simple steps to being prepared


Disaster Preparedness Kit While it may not be fun to think about a disaster occurring in your

community, the chances it may happen are possible and the type of

disaster varies from where you live. Creating a Preparedness Kit for

your family will help put your mind at ease and ensure you are pre-

pared if the time ever comes when you will need it.

Recommended Items to Include in a Basic Emergency Supply Kit:

Water, one gallon of water per person per day for at least three

days, for drinking and sanitation.

Dust mask, to help filter contaminated air, and plastic sheeting and

duct tape to shelter-in-place.

Battery-powered or hand crank radio and a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) Weath-

er Radio with tone alert and extra batteries.

Food, at least a three-day supply of non-perishable food.

Flashlight and extra batteries.

First aid kit.

Whistle to signal for help.

Moist towelettes, garbage bags, and plastic ties for personal sanitation.

Wrench or pliers to turn off utilities.

Can opener for food (if kit contains canned food).

Local maps.

Additional Items to Consider Adding to an Emergency Supply Kit:

Prescription medications and glasses.

Infant formula and diapers.

Pet food and extra water for your pet.

Important family documents such as copies of insurance policies, identification, and bank account records in a

waterproof, portable container.

Cash or traveler’s checks and change.

Emergency reference material such as a first aid book or information from www.ready.gov.

Sleeping bag or warm blanket for each person. Consider additional bedding if you live in a cold-weather cli-

mate.

Complete change of clothing including a long sleeved shirt, long pants, and sturdy shoes. Consider additional

clothing if you live in a cold-weather climate.

Household chlorine bleach and medicine dropper. When diluted nine parts water to one part bleach, bleach

can be used as a disinfectant. Or in an emergency, you can use it to treat water by using 16 drops of regular

household liquid bleach per gallon of water. Do not use scented, color safe, or bleaches with added cleaners.

Fire extinguisher.

Matches in a waterproof container.

Feminine supplies and personal hygiene items.

Mess kits, paper cups, plates and plastic utensils, and paper towels.

Paper and pencil.

Books, games, puzzles or other activities for children.


Puyallup Police Department

311 W Pioneer

Puyallup WA 98371

For emergencies, call 9-1-1

Business Telephone (253) 841-5415

Fax (253) 770-3362

*24 hour Tip Line (253) 770-3343

*For crimes that have already occurred in Puyallup

estates of bradley park · neighborhood watch teaches you the steps that you can take to help...

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