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 Sliding windows and doors are a favourite target for thieves. To prevent unwanted entry, they should have wood dowels in the track as well as auxiliary locks. (photo: Frank Fourchalk) |
I have said many times that the residents of condos frighten me more than the burglars.
That’s because condo owners can get lulled into a false sense of security and get lax about protecting themselves and their building. This creates a golden opportunity for burglars.
When you live in a condominium, you need to realize that the common areas are private property that belongs collectively to all owners. When an uninvited person enters your condominium, they have broken the law.
To help you better understand the mindset of a thief, I have compiled a list of five target areas burglars often choose when executing a condo break-in. These areas need to maintain tight security at all times if you want to beat the bad guys at their own game. Often weak spots are overlooked by condominium owners until it's too late. So check out the following favourite target areas and take a proactive approach to your condo's security.
Overhead garage door
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Thieves like to loiter in the area of overhead garage doors, waiting for unassuming residents more intent on getting home than watching their backs. Once a sneak thief follows a resident through the garage door, he or she finds a stealth area to hang out until the resident has cleared the area.
Make sure you honour the "stop and watch" area. This is done by pulling into the garage far enough to get a good view of the overhead door from your rear and side mirrors. Once the door has completely descended, you can then proceed to your parking stall. Make sure you have motion lighting installed on the inside of the garage to assure good visibility when checking out this vulnerable area.
Obliging residents
Do you know who you're letting into your building? You have a moral obligation to make sure visitors don't enter without first contacting the person they've come to see. One way to help eliminate this problem is to post signs at entry areas stating "No Key, No Entry" and to warn apartment owners and their guests not to let anyone they don’t know into the building under any circumstances.
Burglars have an uncanny way of slithering past an unsuspecting owner or visitor. This could cost the building and its owners thousands of dollars in stolen vehicles and merchandise, damaged private property or, worse yet, personal safety.
Entry phone
Beware of the smooth-talking burglar who uses the entry phone as a break-in tool. This crook rings residents randomly, trying to persuade someone to buzz the door open. He or she may pose as a repairman, postman, courier, pizza delivery person or even a police officer.
If somebody calls you on the entry phone claiming an emergency, always meet them at the entry door and ask for identification. Remember, many break-ins are assisted by assumptions, so never be too careful buzzing strangers into your building.
Mailboxes
Make sure you pick up your mail daily. There are special locking units available to install on the banks of mailboxes to prevent a thief from prying them open. These locking systems must be designed to fit the mail key so as to avoid interruption of mail service.
You may have to phone a locksmith in your area to find out whether they carry these types of devices.
Common area exterior windows and doors
Burglars often target exterior windows and doors, so make sure all exterior doors have astragals. An astragal is a strip of metal that runs the full length of the door, sealing off the gap between the door and the frame. Astragals should have a slight curve to allow them to wrap into the glass on the stationary door or frame. This will make the door virtually impossible to pry open.
Exterior sliding windows and doors should have a combination of wood dowels in the track as well as auxiliary locks to prevent them from being pried open.
Frank Fourchalk is a security expert with 20 years in the business. Visit his website.