These tips were developed by West LAPD, Council District 5 and neighborhood leaders to help you keep your home and neighborhood safe. Share them with your family members, visitors, household help, gardeners and any trusted visitor to your home.
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Never, ever open the door to strangers.
If someone knocks at the door, grab a telephone, approach the door, let the person know you are home by asking, through the door any of the following option examples:
“Who is it?”
“Thank you but I’m not interested”
“Please leave the information in my mailbox.”
If you are concerned, please use the following telephone numbers:
310-622-3989 Senior Lead Officer Mario Gonzalez
310-444-0703 West L.A.P.D. Front desk for non-emergency information and for logging in a report
1-877-ASK-LAPD L.A.P.D. (for non-emergency but worrisome situations at
(1-877-275-5273) night – after hours for example - a suspicious car outside)
911 Only use 911 if it is an emergency or a crime is in progress. Please note, if you are calling from a cell phone 911 goes to the Highway Patrol so if you want to call the LAPD from your cell phone, please dial 213-928-8206.
311 For general information City services of any kind, please call
311 and the operator will get you to the right number.
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Always lock doors when working in another part of the house, such as a back yard.
Remember to take your keys with you! -
If you see anything suspicious or any activity that may fit the recent break-in patterns, please call the local police.
Try to get details such as the license plate and/or take pictures if possible. -
Lock all doors and windows upon leaving your home.
Keep garage closed/locked, too. -
Leave a light and radio or TV on to appear that someone is home when you leave.
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Install and use locks on driveway gates, side gates, and back gates to your property.
Opportunistic burglars are discouraged by "harder" targets. -
Make sure your home alarm is set before leaving your home.
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If you don't have an alarm system, you may want to consider getting one as audible alarms are a deterrent.
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If you have a security service, be sure to report suspicious behavior promptly to the company.
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Your dog is better protection, and safer, inside your home than in your yard.
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If you go away on vacation alert trusted neighbors to keep an eye out and make a visible presence by taking in mail, newspapers, and garbage cans.
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If you have security cameras on your property please let the WLA police department know if you are willing to share the video in the event if a crime occurs in your area.
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Have motion detector lights installed around your property.
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Be sure to know your neighbors and get their phone numbers so you can contact them when you observe suspicious behavior on their property.
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Purchase a heavy safe and bolt it to the floor and use it to store small valuables such as jewelry.
Otherwise keep jewelry and other small valuables in a bank safe deposit box. -
Engrave an identification number on TVs and other large electronics.
A good ID number is your driver’s license number because the police can use the number to track you down and restore your stolen merchandise. -
Don’t leave valuables where they can be seen through house or car windows.
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Keep car and house windows and doors locked – ALWAYS!!
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Keep valuables out of sight when workers are in your home.
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Install outdoor lighting around your house since it deters nighttime home and car invasions.