Property Crime

The reduction of property crimes must be a cooperative effort amongst residents, business owners, maintenance staff, employees, and the police department. In addition, taking the time to become familiar with your neighbors, and surroundings, becoming involved in a neighborhood can greatly reduce the likelihood of property crimes in your area. Please see some of the tips below, or contact the Community Affairs Unit at 310-458-8474 for a free home security assessment.

Contact Us:

(310) 458-8474
community.affairs@santamonica.gov

FAQ

Where can I find a list of home security measures?

Residential burglars know when we let our guard down when it comes to home security measures. In many cases, no force is used to gain entry during a break-in because the intruder enters through an UNLOCKED window or door. This does not have to be the case – many residential burglaries are preventable.

By implementing the security suggestions listed below, the chances of being victimized by a burglar can be significantly reduced.

REMEMBER:

Always lock your doors and windows even when leaving for “just a minute.”
Never leave a house key under a doormat, in a flower pot, or on the ledge of a door.
Make sure the entire perimeter of your home is well-lit, especially front and back door areas.
Use timers so that the lights, radio, and TV go on and off throughout the residence to indicate that someone may be home.
For long trips, be sure to have someone you trust collect, on a daily basis, mail, newspapers, or anything else that might be delivered or left on your property.
If you come home and should find a jimmied door or a broken window, do NOT go in. Confronting a burglar can be dangerous. Instead, call the police immediately.

There are some physical improvements you can make to help strengthen your home security against common burglaries. Most of the supplies needed may be purchased at any local hardware store, and installations are relatively simple. Learning to use good quality locks and other hardware in the right places, can significantly improve the security of your residence.

To schedule a free security check of your residence or if you have any questions, please contact the Community Affairs Unit at 310-458-8474. For all emergencies, call 9-1-1. For non-emergency situations call 310-458-8491.

How can I help prevent auto related burglaries?

Most auto burglaries can be prevented. Most auto burglaries can be prevented. There are many things you can do to reduce your chances of becoming a victim:

KEEP your items out of sight.
Take your valuables with you or place them in your trunk before you arrive at a location where people might be watching.

ALWAYS close your car windows and lock your doors even if you plan to be gone briefly. A partially open window makes the thief’s job easier. A garage is as secure as you and your neighbors make it; and burglars are finding ways to get into residential parking garages. NEVER leave your keys in your car.

Remember to set the alarm.

Location:
Thieves look for vehicles that they can enter with the least possibility of being seen or caught by citizens and authorities.
Try to park in well-lit areas where your vehicle is visible to others.
Be aware of your surroundings prior to leaving your vehicle.

Be eyes and ears for the police:

Report suspicious people or vehicles in your neighborhood.
Report suspicious, wandering persons looking into vehicles as they walk.

What are thieves targeting?

Electronics: laptops, cameras, cell phones
Equipment in your vehicles, such as tools
Purses, wallets, gym bags, and backpacks for cash, credit cards, ID cards, etc.

Auto burglaries are mostly crimes of opportunity…don’t give anyone an opportunity to make you a victim.

REMEMBER:
If the crime is “in progress,” call 9-1-1. If you are reporting an auto burglary that already occurred and the suspect is gone, call our non-emergency number: (310) 458-8491.

How do I report and combat graffiti?

Graffiti Problems

Which of the following impacts does the appearance of graffiti have on a neighborhood?

Decreases property value
Increases resident’s fear of crime
Attracts more graffiti writers 4. All of the above If you answered “
All of the above” you’re correct!

If you notice acts of graffiti in your area, the SMPD suggests the following courses of action:

File a police report when your property is affected. This informs patrol officers of recent “hot spots”. Encourage your neighbors to do the same.
Remove or paint over graffiti on your property as soon as possible to deter additional offenders.
Call the City’s Graffiti Hotline at 310-458-2231 to report graffiti. Graffiti on public property (bus benches, trash dumpsters, etc) or on your own property (with a signed waiver) can be removed by the City’s graffiti removal team.
Organize a neighborhood clean-up campaign if graffiti or other visible blights are widespread. 5. Work with neighboring property owners to obtain mutual agreement on the importance of maintaining clean surroundings.