Access control is an element of CPTED that decreases criminal opportunity by denying access to your home and creating a perception of risk to would be criminals. Access control covers things like deadbolts, window locks, security gates, security alarms, even thorny type plants.
Physical Barriers:
Walkways and landscaping should direct visitors to the proper entrance and away from private areas.
Landscaping can act as a barrier or can mark the transition between public areas and private one. Features like fencing, flower beds, ground cover and shrubbery such as evergreen hedges can be used to create more formidable obstacles and restrict people from where you don't want them to be.
Locks:
Deadbolts should be installed on every door leading into the house.
Deadbolts should be good quality and have a throw bolt of at least 1".
Ensure the screws used to secure the strike plate to the frame are at least 3".
Windows accessible from the outside should be secured with a lock.
Windows should also be equipped with a back up dowel or restriction device physically preventing the window from opening should the lock fail or be left unlocked.
Gates to your yard should be secured with a lock of some kind.
Additional locking devices for doors and windows can only help.
Locks for your screen doors or screens on windows are also preferable.
A deadbolt with a proper length bolt of 1".
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Deadbolt reinforcement plate.
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Heavy duty strike plate with extra long screws.
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Window lock.
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Door security bar.
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Hotel style door security latch.
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Chain latch for door security.
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Security Alarms:
There are two different kinds of security alarms. Audible and Silent. Some alarms are monitored by a company, some are not. Salem Police cannot recommend any one specific alarm or alarm contractor, but a security alarm is just another added level of resistance to a would be criminal.
Surveillance cameras and simple alarm systems can be purchases at your local home improvement store. Below are some examples.
Mail Safety:
ID theft is one of the largest growing crimes in Oregon and mail theft is where it starts.
Avoid placing outgoing mail, especially those containing payments, in an unsecured location. Drop off outgoing mail at a post office, store or drop box.
When writing checks that will be mailed, use a "gel" pen. This ink cannot be washed off by a would be ID thief and is harder to counterfeit.
If possible, use a locking mailbox, below are some examples.
Shrubs:
Shrubs which are unfriendly to the touch are preferred to plant in areas you don't want people to go. Planting these types of shrubs underneath windows will deter someone from hiding in them to gain entry into your house. Click here for a list of shrubs which are thorny or unfriendly to the touch.
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