Mill Valley Police Make Simple but Necessary Plea: Lock Your Doors

Mill Valley Police made two revelations this week: that residential burglaries have seen a nearly 60 percent jump in the first half of 2013 over the same period a year ago, and that most of those burglaries have been during the day and of homes that were left unlocked.

Police officials said that Mill Valley had 27 home burglaries in the first six months of 2013, up from 34 in all of 2012.

"The weakest home security leak is the occupant who fails to lock doors and windows or who will open the door without question at the sound of a knock," police said in an email blast to residents. 

Much like its outreach about how to properly lock a bike in the wake of a rash of bike thefts, police took the opportunity to serve up some burglary prevention tips:

• Install solid core doors, heavy-duty locks and window security devices
• Lock all doors, windows and garages
• Install strike plates in exterior door frames
• Use the door security peephole BEFORE opening the door
• Use your porch light to clearly see your porch and beyond
• Do not rely on a chain-latch as a barrier to partially open the door
• Never open your door to strangers or solicitors
• Call the police if anyone or anything seems suspicious
• Alert your neighbors to suspicious incidents/people
• Always set your alarm at night and when you are not at home
• Hold a family meeting to discuss home security plans (such as how and when to answer the door and phone)

Police note that a burglar's most common point of entry into a home is the front door and the garage, urging residents to make sure their front door is secure and making sure they don't keep their garage door open for long periods of time.

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