Community Crime Statistics Information...

Interested in what crime is occurring in your neighborhood?
Planning to move into the area, purchase a new home?

You can request general information about current Community Crime Statistics by calling (240) 773-5125.

If a Stranger Comes to the Door…

• Stay alert to suspicious-looking couriers delivering packages to you or your neighbors.
• Many con artists take advantage of holiday generosity by going door-to-door. Ask for identification and get specifics to how and where the donations will be spent/used.
• If you feel uncomfortable, just say “no thank you” and shut the door.

If You’re at Home…

• Turn on outside lights to deter burglars.
• Report any suspicious behavior to the police or local community watch groups.
• Make sure your homeowners (or renters) insurance is up-to-date and everything is inventoried properly.

Alzheimer's Association's Safe Return Program 

            Alzheimer’s disease causes millions of Americans to lose their ability to recognize familiar places and face.  Many people cannot even remember their name or address. They may become disoriented and lost in their neighborhood or far from home. It is common for a person with Alzheimer’s disease to wander, many repeatedly, during the disease process.  This behavior can be dangerous, during the cold winter months or hot summer months, even life-threatening.
          The Alzheimer’s Association’s Safe Return Program is the only nationwide program of its kind. Since the program began in 1993, nearly 110,000 individuals have registered in Safe Return nationwide. The program has facilitated the recovery of more than 8,000 individuals to their families and caregivers with an over 99% success in safely returning those registered in the program.
          Safe Return is a nationwide identification, support and registration program working at the community level.  Safe Return provides assistance whether a person becomes lost locally or far from home.  Assistance is available 24-hours, every day, whenever a person is lost or found.

            For more information, please call Safe Return at 1-888-572-8566 or the local Alzheimer’s Association chapter at (301) 942-2409, or click here.

Material provided by the Alzheimer’s Association, the world leader in Alzheimer research and support.

HOME SECURITY SURVEY…

Montgomery County Police Department offers a free service to the residents of Montgomery County, in which an Officer will walk around the exterior and interior of your home to assess your security risks. The Officer would make recommendations on how to properly secure your home. To schedule a Home Security Survey, Please contact the Rockville District Station for more information, (240) 773-6070.

Lock Crime Out of Your Home...
Keeping Your Home and Family Safe

Making your home safer from crime doesn't always means having to install expensive alarms, effective home security starts with properly locked doors and windows and visible, well-lighted entryways.

EXTERIOR DOORS…

All exterior doors should be either metal or solid wood. For added security, use strong door hinges on the inside of the door, with non-removable hidden pins. Every entry door should be well lighted and have a wide-angle door viewer (peephole) so you can see who is outside without opening the door.

LOCKS…

Strong, reliable locks are essential to effective home security. Always keep doors and windows locked, even a five minute trip to the store is long enough for a burglar to enter your home.

Use quality keyed knobs as well as deadbolts, because deadbolts can withstand the twisting, turning, prying, and pounding that regular knows can't.

When choosing a deadbolt, look for such features: as a bolt that extends at least one inch when in the locked position, to resist ramming and kicking, hardened steel inserts to prevent the bolt from being sawed off, and a reinforced strike plate with extra long mounting screws to anchor the lock effectively.

Most deadbolts are single-cylinder (they operate from the outside with a key and from the inside with a thumb latch). Double-cylinder deadbolts require a key to open the lock from both outside and inside your home. These locks are especially effectively for doors with glass within 40 inches of the lock, because an intruder cannot break the glass and unlock the door by reaching through (check with law enforcement or Fire Marshal before installing a double-cylinder deadbolt, because there are fire code restrictions).
As an alternative, security glazing can be applied to glass panels in or near the door, or shatterproof glass can be installed, though these options can be expensive.

SLIDING GLASS DOORS…

Sliding glass doors can offer easy entry into your home. To improve security on existing sliding glass doors, you can install keyed locking devices that secure the door to the frame; adjust the track clearances on the doors so they can't be pushed out of their tracks of the closed door to prevent the door from opening even if the lock is jimmied or removed.

WINDOWS…

Most standard double-hung windows have thumb-turn locks between the two window panels. Don't rely on these, they can be pried open or easily reached through a broken pane. Instead, install keyed locking devices to prevent the window from being raised from the outside, but make sure everyone in the house knows where to find the key in case of an emergency.
An easy, inexpensive way to secure your windows is to use the "pin trick". Drill an angled hole through the top frame of the upper window. Then insert a nail or eyebolt. The window can't be opened until you remove the nail. Make a second set of holes with window partly openly so you can have ventilation without intruders.

LIGHTING…

Lighting is one of the most cost-effective deterrents to burglary. Indoor-lighting gives the impression that a home is occupied. If you are going to be away from your home, consider using automatic timers to switch interior lights on and off at preset times.
Outdoor lighting can eliminate hiding places. Install exterior lighting near porches, rear, and side driveways, garage doors, and all other points of entry. Entryways to your home should always be well lighted. Place lights out of reach from the ground so the bulbs cannot be removed or broken. Aim some lights away from the house so you can see if anyone is approaching, or install motion-sensing lights, which turn on automatically as some approaches.

SHRUBS AND LANDSCAPING…

Your home's walkways and landscaping should direct visitors to the main entrance and away from private areas. The landscaping should provide maximum visibility to and from your house. Trim shrubbery that could conceal criminal activity near doors and windows. Provide light on areas of dense shrubs and trees that could serve as hiding places. Cut back tree limbs that could help thieves climb into windows, and keep yard fencing low enough too avoid giving criminals places to hide.

PURSE SNATCHING PREVENTION

 The best way to avoid a purse snatching, of course, is not to carry one.  Large bulky packages or purses are the easiest to spot and grabbed.  Consider carrying only a small change purse with necessities, instead of a purse.

• If you must carry a purse, do not dangle it by your side in such a way that a thief can run and grab it. Carry the purse close to your body, preferably in front.
• If you wear a shoulder bag wear it across your chest. Better yet, wear it under your coat. Keep a coin purse in your pocket for easy access to bus fare, etc.
• Try to walk with someone or stand at a bus stop with several other people.
• Walk purposefully and look confident. Assertive body language can help prevent an attack. Do not slouch; keep your head up. Look as though you would cause an uproar if bothered.
• Stay away from isolated or poorly lit areas. Walk near the curb to avoid passing too close to places of concealment.
• Contact the transit authority to change the location of a bus stop or for more lighting, cleaning, etc.
• Avoid shortcuts through isolated areas.
• Always be alert and aware of your surroundings.
• Do not carry your house or car keys in your purse.
• If someone does grab your purse, do not attempt to resist or fight him/her off. You are likely to get injured in the process.
• Report all suspicious people to the police as soon as possible. Do not wait until you get home.
• If you are a victim of any crime call the police immediately. Provide as much information as possible; When the crime happened. Where the crime occurred. What happened. Describe the suspect and direction and whether the suspect fled on foot, by car, etc.