8 Ways to Keep Burglars Away From Your Home This Summer

Posted on June 28, 2016 in All News, Police, To Know

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Do you have a vacation or extended trip on the horizon, especially now that it’s summer?

Burglars might be interested to know, too, and they will look for signs you’re not home.

Here are eight ways to keep burglars at bay while you’re away:

• 1.) Do not leave notes on your door stating you are not home! (Yes, this happens.)
• 2.) If possible, keep a vehicle parked in your driveway or regular parking spot.
• 3.) Make your home appear occupied; use timers on lights, TVs or radios to automatically power electronics according to normal daily use.
• 4.) Ask a trusted neighbor, relative, friend or pet sitter pick up mail and newspapers; remove all flyers, doorknob hangers and advertisements that have been placed at your door or mailbox…
• 5.) …but do not leave door keys under flower pots or doormats, inside an unlocked mailbox, over the doorway or in other obvious places.
• 6.) Consider having someone mow your yard and water your outdoor plants.
• 7.) Keep all doors and windows locked; apartment dwellers, make sure any sliding glass doors are locked, especially on the ground floor!
• 8.) Avoid posting vacation plans on social media sites, especially more public ones like Twitter; share photos after you return home.

If you or a trusted neighbor/relative/friend discover that your home has been broken into, call our non-emergency number at 703-691-2131, TTY 711, so a police officer can be dispatched to take the report. We live in one of the safest jurisdictions in the country, but crime can happen. Check out the police department’s new crime mapping system at www.crimereports.com; enter an address and search.

beware of scams

4 phone scams: sheriff/warrant, IRS, family emergency, child abduction

CLICK TO TWEET

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Scams stink. Scams peddle fear in return for money. Don’t fall victim to these four common phone scams, which are happening in our community:

Sheriff’s Warrant for Your Arrest Scam

Have you received a phone call from the “Fairfax County Sheriff’s Office” saying that you have a warrant out for your arrest? Recently, scammers are claiming you have failed to appear for a court case and a warrant is outstanding. These scammers, falsely claiming to be deputies, are requesting credit card information for court costs and providing a “new” court date to the victim.

If you receive a call like this, please call the Police Department’s warrant desk at 703-246-4231, TTY 711, to verify if you or someone else may have a warrant.

IRS Scam

Callers claim they are from the IRS, a government agency or a law firm and you owe money. If you do not pay immediately, they threaten the police will show up at your door and arrest you. This is simply not true.

Family Member Critical Emergency Scam

Callers generally claim they are your teenaged/young adult-aged family member (grandson/daughter, nephew/niece). They tell you they’ve been arrested, are in jail and need money, either for bond or court fees. They will ask you to wire money to a non-existent attorney or bondsman, or possibly to a friend who will pay the alleged fines so they can be released.**The scammer could know your name, your family member’s name, nicknames commonly used between you and other accurate details about you and your family (i.e. actual college they attend, state in which the real family is located, etc.)**

Child Abduction Scam

Police from around the region report a relatively new child abduction scam when a parent/guardian gets a phone call during a school day and they hear a child crying or a child stating they have been kidnapped. Then, a stranger gets on the phone and tells the parent their child has been abducted and demands ransom for the child’s return. The scammer tells the victim to wire the money to a specific location. Get the full details about this scam.

Report Scams

If you are, or think you might be, the victim of a phone scam, or other scams, please file a report online with the Police Department:

Report Financial Crime

Suicide prevention

Dolly Loretta Russo

August 11, 2014 · 

SUICIDE PREVENTION LIFELINE: 1-800-273-TALK (8255)
If you or someone you know is exhibiting behavior that makes you concerned for their safety or the safety of the children or other people around them, please call 1-800-273-TALK ( 8255 ) or dial 9-1-1

Fairfax County Self Defense for Women

Protect Yourself: Register for a Women’s Self Defense Class

BY FCPD PUBLIC AFFAIRS BUREAU on JUNE 25, 2014

Police Offer FREE Women’s Self Defense Classes

The Fairfax County Police Department, in partnership with the Fairfax County Law Enforcement Foundation, is holding evening self-defense classes for all women, 13 and older. Brought about by popular demand and request, the classes fill quickly. They are held bi-weekly from 6-9 p.m. in various locations throughout Fairfax County, and are FREE of charge.

Classes involve instruction on topics of risk awareness, risk reduction, crime prevention strategies, as well as hands-on training in physical defense techniques. This is not a martial arts course. Attendees will have the chance to test their skills in a controlled environment and will practice their new skills using realistic scenarios.

Find course details, and online registration, on the Women’s Self Defense Training page athttp://fairfaxfoundation.org.

The following are upcoming dates/locations. Registrations are limited and classes may fill quickly.

JULY 15 and 17th – Floris Elementary School, 2708 Centreville Rd, Herndon AUGUST 12th and 14th – Longfellow Middle School, 2000 Westmoreland St, Falls Church SEPTEMBER 9th and 11th – Key Middle School, 6402 Franconia Rd, Springfield OCTOBER 14th and 16th – Glasgow Middle School , 4101 Fairfax Parkway, Alexandria NOVEMBER 11th and 13th – Powell Elementary School, 13340 Leland Rd, Centreville DECEMBER 9th and 11th – Belle View Elementary School, 6701 Fort Hunt Rd, Alexandria

Don’t be a victim; learn valuable safety and protection skills that could save your life.

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