Crime Prevention

The City of Marco Island Police Department recognizes the need for Crime Prevention Awareness. The following are tips for citizens to practice reduce crime and the chances of being a victim of crime. Studies have shown that one out of ten homes will be burglarized this year. For a small amount of time and money, you can make your home more secure and reduce your chances of being a victim.

In almost half of residential burglaries, thieves simply walk in through unlocked doors or crawl through unlocked windows.

Check the Locks

  • Make sure every external door has a sturdy, well-installed dead bolt lock.
  • Secure sliding glass doors by installing commercially available locks or putting a dowel in the inside track to jam the door.
  • When you move into a new house or apartment, re-key the locks.

Check the Doors

  • Install a peephole or wide-angle viewer in all entry doors so you can see who is outside without opening the door. Do not open your door to Strangers (Anyone You Do Not Know). Find out their purpose and if they ask to use the phone, SAY NO!  if you feel safe, you can make the call for them. Remember to immediately call the Police if you are visited or see any suspicious persons, vehicles or activity.
  • All outside doors should be metal or solid wood.

Check the Outside 

  • Install outside lights and keep them on at night.
  • Keep your yard clean. Intruders look for opportunity, prune back shrubbery so it doesn’t hide doors or windows.
  • Clearly display your house numbers so Police and other emergency vehicles can find your home quickly.
  • Make a list of your valuables- TVs, stereos, computers, jewelry. Take photos of the items; list their serial numbers and descriptions. Engrave your Driver’s License or Florida Identification Number onto your merchandise (Operation Identification).

Vehicles

  • Never leave your car running or the keys in the ignition when you’re away from it, even for “just a minute.”
  • Take your key fobs inside and do not leave them in the car. 
  • Never leave valuables in plain view, even if your car is locked. Put them in the trunk or at least out of sight. Buy radios and CD players that can be removed and locked in the trunk.
  • Carry your registration and insurance cards with you. Don’t leave personal identification documents or credit cards in your vehicle.
  • Always roll up the windows and lock your car, even if it’s in front of your home.
  • Park in busy, well-lit areas.
  • When you pay to park in a lot or garage, leave only the ignition key with the attendant. Make sure no personal information is attached. Do the same when you take your car in for repairs.
  • Install a mechanical locking device – commonly called clubs, collars, or j-bars that lock onto the steering wheel, column, or brake pedal to prevent the wheel from being turned more than a few degrees.

Vessels

  • Permanently mark or engrave your boat, trailer, and electronics with your HIN (Hull Identification Number).
  • Keep an inventory of your gear and electronics and document serial numbers
  • Take photographs of your boat and equipment
  • Consider purchasing an alarm or additional lighting or video surveillance
  • Consider purchasing a discreet GPS unit to monitor the boat’s location in real time
  • Keep your boat covered, secured, and keep the keys inside your house.
  • Turn off the power to your lift
  • Insure your boat from theft protection

Observation and Reporting

The following are several ways that citizens can help prevent crime in their neighborhoods. Look for and report:

  • Vehicles moving slowly with no apparent destination, or without lights
  • Unusual noises
  • Abandoned vehicles
  • Anyone being forced into a vehicle
  • Strangers sitting in vehicles or stopping to talk to a child
  • Someone screaming or shouting for help
  • Someone looking into windows or parked vehicles
  • Persons around closed homes
  • Any other suspicious incidents

In the event of these circumstances, contact the Police Department immediately. Briefly describe the event, what happened, when, where, and who was involved. Describe the suspect(s), vehicle description, and last known direction of travel.

* All tips are recommendations to help assist citizens and deter crime.

 

Tips to Prevent Crime

 

Florida Attorney General's Office

 

United States Department of Justice

 

 

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