Recent investigations involving residential burglaries show criminals utilizing the same technique. Burglars are attempting contact with residents at the front door. If they receive no answer, the suspects gain access to the backyard and either force entry into the home or find an unsecured door or window.
Victims of these crimes, who happened to be home at the time of the attempted burglary, have either reported a knock on their front door or ring of their doorbell moments before finding a stranger in their backyard. These victims did not answer their door, a common safety precaution for many people.
Citizens can implement a number of simple precautions to deter would-be burglars. Home security alarms and security screen doors are the most visible prevention method. Placing select lights on timers and music playing in the home gives the appearance that someone is home.
The best deterrent is community involvement. Get to know your neighbors and share your work schedules and vacation times. Many communities have retirees, stay-at-home parents, and those who work from home. These neighbors are a tremendous asset to maintaining a crime-free neighborhood, acting as the eyes and ears during normal work hours.
Be cognizant of suspicious persons on your street. Door-to-door vendors in Chandler are required to carry a license and identification card from the City of Chandler. If it is safe to do so, answer your door if someone attempts contact, and report any suspicious activity to the Chandler Police Department by calling 911 or our non-emergency number at (480) 782-4130.