Crime Prevention

Marysville Police Department’s number one goal is keeping our community safe.

Most intruders seek easy targets as they want to get in quickly, quietly and unseen. The harder you make it for them, the lower your risk of a break-in.  Below you will find some crime prevention tips to implement around your home.

Outside Doors – Solid wooden doors or doors reinforced with steel offer more protection than hollow core doors. Adding a quality and properly installed deadbolt lock will enhance the strength of the door. The lock is only as good as the door jam it goes into so make sure the door jam is reinforced. Installation of a peephole allows you to see who’s on the other side of the door without opening it.

Windows – In addition to sash locks, window pegs can be easily installed by drilling holes through the movable window frame and into the stationary part of the window.  Then insert a large nail or wooden peg into the hole to secure the window.  During summer months, make sure window air conditioners are secured to the window so they cannot be pulled out.

Outdoor lighting – Use outdoor lighting to your advantage. Locate lights in areas of your property that are most vulnerable such as rear doors, ground level windows, garages and sheds. Install floodlights high enough so that an intruder can’t unscrew them. There are many lighting options to consider such as motion sensor floodlights that turn on when a person or object passes by them. Photoelectric lights automatically turn on at dusk and off at dawn. Low voltage lighting uses very little energy to illuminate lawns, shrubs and walkways.

Indoor lighting – Make your home appear to be occupied at all times. Put some electrical equipment on timers such as lamps, TVs or a radio when no one is home. If you are going on vacation ask a trusted friend or relative to collect your mail and newspapers and set up regular yard care.

Personal Property – Protect the property in your home by following these simple steps: make inventories on a sheet of paper of your valued possessions. Include the make, model and serial number as well as the value of the item. Place the list in a secret and safe place such as a safe deposit box at a bank. Videotape or photograph small valuables such as jewelry next to a ruler and your ID number. Mark large items such as TVs stereos and computers with an engraving tool including your drivers license number. Check your insurance coverage and update it if necessary. Be sure to ask your agent what items are covered.

Watch out for your Neighbors. Your eyes and ears are valuable crime prevention tools for you and your neighbors. Let your neighbors know that you will be out of town so they can help watch over your property. At all other times, look out for one another.

Vacation Patrol. If you are going to be away for an extended period of time and would like the police department to do extra patrols of your property, please fill out a Vacation Patrol Form and drop it off at the police department.