A thief could be on the other side of your front door waiting for the right time to kick in the door or pry it open.Officers in the Tulsa Police Mingo Valley Division Crime Awareness Bulletin report more than 30 home break-ins between June 26th, 2011 and July 3rd, 2011.
In almost half of them the crooks are getting in the front door while you are at work or at the shopping mall. A cluster is reported between N. Garnett Road to 145th E. Avenue and E. 31st to E. 21 St. The thieves are reported to steal electronics, medication, jewelry and unusual items such as a sofa and a remote control car.
FOX23’s Abbie Alford shares with you the first step in making sure your home is thief proof.
With a shopping cart in hand FOX23 starts in the door section of Home Depot on 41st and S. Sheridan.
"This is a two by four built door where this one has insides and it won't be as strong,” says door specialist Dean Harrison.
The stronger the better it will prevent a thief from breaking into a home.
Steel doors are sturdy too.
If you can’t afford a new door you can downsize and start with hardware on your doors.
"It doesn't cost you a lot to secure your family or secure your doors. That way you don't have to invest in a large dog, gun or an oversized child to stay there and take care of things for you,” says Hardware specialist John Plaster.
Instead we find a reliable door stopper.
“They are completely adjustable,” says Plaster.
He is talking about a dual function door security bar.
"This goes under the doorknob and this goes on the floor,” explains Plaster.
The tool only costs $18.44.
That’s a good deal compared to a thief damaging your door, stealing your flat-screen television and laptop.
"We'll go around the corner here and I'll show you some other stuff we got,” says Plaster.
He shows us deadbolts and door guards, not the chain locks you see in hotels.
"You close one of those they are not going to be able to open,” says Plaster.
FOX23 News bought a reinforcer but didn’t have the tools to install it in a metal door at home. However, FOX23 News is told it will add some aches and pains for a thief.
"It puts metal in there instead of just wood. So when they go to kick it they are going to be kicking against metal,” says Plaster.
If a thief wants in he’ll get in but this added security may have him skipping your front door.
"Don't just open the door and let them in. Make them work, if they want in your house make them work so they won't be so eager to go to the next house,” says Plaster.
You can also use the security bar on your windows which experts say is more reliable then the end of a broom stick.
All of the items mentioned were purchased for less than $100.
Police also recommend a home-security system but want to remind homeowners for an officer to show up to an alarm call the alarm must be registered with the city. It costs $30 to register and $15 to renew. You may obtain an alarm permit from the City of Tulsa’s Licensing Center located at 175 E. 2nd Street, Second Floor (918) 596-7640.
If you have any information about these crimes call Crime Stoppers at (918) 596-COPS (2677) or text a tip to “CRIMES” (274637) and begin your message with “TIP918” or you can submit a tip online at www.tipsubmit.com. Remember you never have to give your name and your tip could lead to a cash reward.
Officers also report 14 commercial burglaries and in one case a thief went inside an open church and stole a purse. Suspects are also known to cut pad locks and gates to gain entry. An air conditioning unit was also stolen from a business.
To read the entire MVD Crime Awareness Bulletin click on the attached document. A Spanish version is also published.
Original Headline: Thieves Find Their Way Through Secured Doors
