In 2012, PGA National experienced twelve (12) residential burglaries. This year, at the time this article was written, there have been four (4) residential burglaries on file. In reviewing the details involving these burglaries, although unrelated, there were a couple of things that caught my attention and I would like to take a moment to share them with you.
When it comes to your home, many residents rely on the services of a cleaning person, home watch person, pool guy or a general contractor. In many cases it has been the same person in and out of your home for years. Times have changed, people have changed and so must you. I believe now is a good time to reevaluate who has access to your home. Who knows your alarm code, who’s on your guest list, who knows when you’re out of town. Although change is a scary thing it may be necessary to increase your level of comfort and decrease your chances of becoming a victim of a residential burglary.
The other thing that caught my attention is that residential vehicle information has not been updated in the ABDI gate access computer system. It is important that you not only update you guest list from time to time but your personal vehicle information as well to reflect the most accurate information possible. This allows for security to better differentiate between a residents vehicle and a guest vehicle that may be part of a police investigation.
Lastly open garage doors are an open invitation for any individual with criminal intent to quickly remove whatever valuables are in view. Leaving your garage door open may seem convenient in several different circumstances but by doing so it leaves things like your bicycles, power tools, golf clubs and other easily carried-off items vulnerable to theft in seconds. PGA National rules and regulations state that garage doors are to be closed except during ingress and egress to and from the garage. This rule is written specifically with the safety of you and your family in mind.
Remember that it only takes seconds for anyone to become the victim of a crime but with these few small changes you can greatly reduce the chances of becoming the next victim.
As a reminder please fill out a “Property Check” form if you have plans to go away for an extended period.
You are encouraged to report all suspicious vehicles, person(s), and activity and never hesitate to call security at 627-1600. Any information on the person(s) involved or vehicle description will be helpful. The smallest piece of information may be the biggest part of the solution.