February 18, 2016
Chief warns against laxness in garage door security
MURPHY (February 18, 2016) In recent weeks, there have been as many as five attempted break-ins into garages in Murphy, though none have been successful, says Police Chief Arthur “Trey” Cotten.
“Even though no burglary occurred, there was damage to some garage doors,” he said. “While we are actively investigating and following-up on leads, homeowners can take a few steps to ensure they do not become victims.”
One way is to remove garage door remotes from vehicles. Once a thief breaks in to a car and steals the remote, he or she has a way into the home. While that may sound inconvenient, there is a solution. The safest and least inconvenient way to accomplish this is to Invest in a keychain remote opener that is attached to the driver’s key ring. That way, the remote is either in a purse or pocket.
Another is to secure the garage door emergency release by using zip ties, available at home improvement stores. Robbers can use a coat hanger to engage the emergency release lever from the outside. Placing a zip tie on the lever makes it nearly impossible to open without a firm yank on the release cord, something that cannot be done with a hanger.
“Residents should always lock the door from the garage into the house,” said the Chief. “A deadbolt lock should be engaged in the same manner as the front door. And, it’s also a good idea to add a wide-angle peep hole viewer on that door. That way, you can see into the garage if you hear something without having to open the door.”
Of course, leaving the garage door open is an invitation for trouble. If there are windows in the garage door, these should be frosted or covered. If a thief looks in and sees no car, then the likelihood of a break-in increases. Leaving a driveway light on or installing a light with a motion-detector are also good ways to prevent unwanted attention from criminals.
Most garage doors come with a sliding lock on the inside. Residents should engage it when going on extended trips. If the door does not have one, a pair of inexpensive c-clamps can work just as well.
“The fact that Murphy is often cited as one of the safest cities in the state can sometimes work against us,” said the Chief. “Residents might feel they can let their guard down, thinking that there is no danger of being victimized. Ironically, burglars often target safe cities for that very reason.”
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