Before Renting
- Survey the residence to ensure that is have the following
security related features
- Does it have a Certification of Occupancy (C of O)?
- Does the rental have metal or solid core wooden entry and exit
doors?
- Are the doors equipped with deadbolts or shielded
doorknobs?
- Are the locks and strike plates mounted securely?
- Have the locks been re-keyed since the last tenant?
- Can visitors be observed without opening the door through a
peephole or window?
- Are all first floor, fire escape, or other accessible windows
equipped with locks?
- If equipped with security gratings, can they be opened from the
inside for emergency exit?
- Does any outside vegetation block doors or windows from public
view?
- Is there adequate lighting at the building entry doors and
along walkways?
- Are the outer doors kept locked all the time?
- Does the apartment have a smoke detector and at least two
emergency escape routes?
- Does the apartment have a provision for the installation of a
telephone?
Personal Safety Tips
- Always keep doors locked especially when you are alone,
sleeping, or the apartment is empty. Most burglaries involve
unlocked doors, so locking up is the single most effective action
you can take to reduce theft.
- Keep first floor, fire escape, and other accessible windows
closed and locked unless they are equipped with security
gratings.
- Do not leave the exterior doors of the building unlocked or
propped open.
- When entering or exiting, make sure all doors are secured.
- Do not allow strangers into your building or apartment.
- Observe visitors through your door viewer prior to
opening.
- Have repair or service personnel show identification and
confirm their presence with the person requesting the service.
- Delivery persons should remain outside to await the person
requesting the delivery.
- If someone you do not know asks to use your phone, offer to
make the call for them.
- Report all obscene or harassing phone calls to the police.
- If someone calls with the wrong number, never give the caller
your name, your number, or your address.
- Report all strangers seen wandering inside or outside to the
police.
- Question unescorted persons in your building.
- Never loan anyone your key. Non-residents – even close
friends – do not have the same level of concern for the
security of your house/apartment building.
- Do not leave your keys unattended.
- Do not put your name or address on your keys.
- If keys are lost or stolen, report the loss immediately to the
police, and have your locks changed.
- At night always have your keys ready before you get to the
door.
- Have your local police telephone number posted near all
telephones in case of an emergency.
- Always keep your windows covered at night and leave lights on
in two or more rooms if you are not home.
- Never reveal to a visitor or a telephone caller that you are
alone.
- Do not use your first name on mailboxes or telephone
directories.
- Be alert in deserted laundry rooms, common lounges, basements,
parking garages, and elevators, especially late at night.
- Remember that you are responsible for the conduct of your
guests while they are present in your building.
Protecting Your Property
- In your apartment, keep valuables out of plain sight.
- Do not leave valuables unattended in common areas.
- Engrave property such as computers, stereos, with your driver’s
license number and state.
- Avoid carrying large sums of money.
- Make sure your car is always locked and that any valuables left
in the vehicle are out of sight.
What is Suspicious?
You should be alert to anything that seems even slightly “out of
the ordinary” for the area or time of day in which it occurs.
The most obvious things to watch for and report are:
- Strangers entering your neighbor’s room or apartment when it is
unoccupied.
- Strangers on your block trying doors to see if they are
locked.
- Screams heard anywhere, anytime might mean an assault or
robbery is in progress.
- The sound of breaking glass or other loud, explosive noises may
mean accident, burglary or vandalism.
- Car alarms, though typically benign, can be an indication that
a theft is occurring.