5-06-2025 4:54am

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Baltimore County Police Department offers spring crime prevention tips

TOWSON, MD—With spring in full swing, the Baltimore County Police Department is reminding residents to take preventative measures against crime. The department recommends residents lock their doors and windows, secure valuables, and be aware of home improvement scams.

The police department is stressing the importance of locking all doors, even when at home. This includes locking the front and garage doors when working in the backyard and locking the back door when in the front yard. Residents should also lock up before leaving home, even for a short errand.

In addition to securing doors, residents should lock and close windows and sliding glass doors before leaving the house or going to bed. Valuables should be removed from vehicles, and windows rolled up. Cars should always be locked, even when parked in the driveway.

The Baltimore County Police Department also recommends securing ladders, tools, lawnmowers, and bikes in a locked storage area or shed. Residents can further protect their homes by reassessing their security systems and outdoor lighting, ensuring cameras are working and pointed in the right direction, and checking for firmware updates.

The police department also promotes Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design (CPTED), which focuses on creating an environment that discourages opportunistic crime. This includes trimming back trees and shrubs that could block windows or provide cover for criminals. The objective is to keep sightlines open to ensure adequate observation. Planting prickly foliage like barberry, holly, or rose bushes beneath windows and around perimeters can also deter crime.

Residents are reminded to be wary of home improvement scams and avoid doing business with unsolicited contractors or salespeople. Always verify a company’s legitimacy before engaging with them.

Finally, the Baltimore County Police Department emphasizes the importance of neighborly watchfulness. Alert neighbors can identify unusual activity in the area and report it.

The Baltimore County Police Department provides free security surveys for residential properties and commercial businesses. To learn more about the resources provided by the Baltimore County Police Department, residents can contact the Community Outreach Team at their local police precinct. If a resident or business owner is unsure of the police precinct they reside in, they may go to My Neighborhood.

Additional resources available to Baltimore County business owners and residents:

Monitor Your Vacant Home While Vacationing - Complete a vacant house form and deliver it or email it to your local precinct to have officers check on your location for any unusual activity while you're away. If something suspicious happens at your home, law enforcement will be able to quickly reach you or your emergency contact from the information provided on the form.
Residential Security Survey - Call your local COT to request that an officer come to your home to conduct a free assessment of your home security.
Business Security Survey - Call your local COT to request that an officer come to your business to conduct a free assessment of your business’ security.
Engrave Your Bicycle - Call your local COT to request that an officer engrave an ID number on your bike. That number and the bike's description will be entered into a database, which will help investigators get it back to you should the bike ever be stolen and recovered.
Child Safety Seat Check - To have your child safety seat checked, call 410-887-8717.