Lawrence Police Offer 'Summer Safety Tips'

Editor's Note: The following is a news release issued by Lawrence Township Police.

As summer approaches, people take advantage of the sunny weather to do outdoor projects, take their families to fun locations such as amusement parks and beaches and try to find ways to relax and keep cool.  It’s the season when most people take off from work to spend to with their kids who are on summer vacation.  For criminals though, it is a very active time of year.  Below, the Lawrence Township Police Department would like to make several suggestions on how to avoid becoming a victim of various types of crimes that are associated with the warm weather months. 

Home Protections

• When ever leaving your home, always lock the doors and windows. 
• Never leave the front door or garage open when doing work in the back yard. 
• Trim bushes below the height of the windows so that a person cannot hide behind them.
• Always leave outside lights on when not home at night.  Also, put inside lights on timers to give the appearance that someone is home. 
• Always cancel the mail and newspapers when you leave to go on vacation.  It is a tell-tale sign that no one is home when the papers are piled up in front of the house. 
• Make sure all shed and exterior structures are locked when not in use. 
• Ensure that you lock your car when you park it.  Most thefts from vehicles occur to vehicles that are left unlocked.  In the same regard, avoid leaving things of value in plain view inside of the vehicle.  Either lock items in the truck or bring them inside of the house. 

Deception Burglaries Increase during the Spring and Summer Months

• Suspects posing as legitimate workers approach elderly homeowners at their residences with an intent of gaining entry into their homes under a seemingly legitimate role: employees of the gas company, water company, cable company, tree trimmers, pavers, or government officials.  One suspect will distract the homeowner while the other suspect will enter the home and search inside for valuables and cash.  Always ask for identification.  Also, most solicitors must register with the Township.   
• A variety of vehicles have been associated with these types of activities.  Look out for work vans, pickup trucks or sport utility vehicles. 
• Be particularly weary of anyone looking to do home repairs or asking to gain entry into your home for any reason.  Ask for identification before letting them inside and tell them you will be calling their company to verify what they are doing in the area.

Home Improvement Scams

Spring and Summer are the seasons when scam artists drive through neighborhoods looking to find people in their yards.  Once spotted, victims are drawn into a conversation about work that needs to be done on their homes and then offered “bargain” home repairs.

The National Association of Bunco Investigators says to beware when a repair person knocks on your door.  Look for these telltale signs of a probable scam:

• The repairperson drives an unmarked van or truck with out-of-state license plates.
• The worker has no business identification, local address or local telephone number.  Always request identification so that you can call the company for verification. 
• Beware of excused like “We just finished a job around the corner and had extra material that we could offer you at a discounted price”.  Professional companies do not operate in that manner. 
• The worker asks you for upfront fees or costs, or accepts only cash.  Never pay in cash.  Using a check keeps a record of the transaction and often provides identification of the person cashing the check. 
• No written estimates or contracts are offered. 
• The worker has no references.  Always ask for references as a way of verifying the reliability of the company. 

If you suspect that the person at the door may be a scam artist, do not let them in and call the Lawrence Township Police Department right away. 

Neighborhood Awareness: The Key to Crime Prevention

• A good neighbor can be one of the best crime prevention tools.  Watchful eyes in the neighborhoods can spot criminals and alert the police and the community to their presence. 
• Check in on elderly residents and keep an eye on them.  They are often targets of scams and deception artists. 
• Involvement such as this builds stronger bonds between neighbors and helps maintain safe neighborhoods. 

In conclusion, awareness is the key to avoid becoming a victim of deception or a scam.  Remember to always lock car doors when leaving your vehicle.  Also, all window and doors to your residence should also be locked when leaving.  By following the above suggestions, you will greatly reduce your chances of becoming a victim.  Have a safe and happy spring and summer! 

The preceding information was brought to you by the Lawrence Township Police Department and the Lawrence Township Public Safety Advisory Committee, which generally meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 7:30 p.m. in the Manager’s Conference Room in the Municipal Building.