When you read or hear about a residential burglary, does it make you worry about your home? The Police Department encourages all residents to think about ways to prevent crime in your home and in your neighborhood. Doing so can help protect your property and help keep your loved ones safe from criminal harm or mischief.

Follow these tips and share them with your family, friends and neighbors so that we can all work together with police officers to prevent crime in our communities and maintain a good quality of life in Prince William County.

Preventing Burglaries

• Lock all doors and windows in your home, whether you are at home or just outside.

• Keep your garage secured, and secure valuable items that are inside the garage.

• Use deadbolt locks on all exterior doors, and take extra efforts to secure sliding glass doors.

• Keep shrubs trimmed below window level.

• Use adequate lighting inside and outside your home.

• When on vacation or away from home for an extended period, have a trusted neighbor collect your mail, newspapers and advertisements, mow your lawn, and even park their car in your driveway from time to time.

• Engrave all valuable items with your driver’s license number, or take photos or a video inventory of these items.

Preventing Robberies

• Do not carry large amounts of cash, or more than two credit cards.

• Do not wear large amounts of valuable jewelry.

• Try to not walk around shopping areas, banks and convenience stores alone.

• Walk in well-lighted areas, and avoid dark, unlit shortcuts as much as possible.