TROY, Mich. (WXYZ) — Home security systems can be pricey, not just for the installation but also the monthly charge to use it. However, there are ways to prevent burglaries without breaking the bank.
Troy Police Sgt. Meghan Lehman offers cost-effective ideas to secure your house without splurging on an alarm system.
“Those can be a good tool but they're really not a preventative for homes being broken into and I know they can be costly,” Lehman said.
Those systems can cost hundreds to install and around $50 a month. Lehman says it’s great if you can afford it, but it isn’t the best way to protect your house.
“The alarm company will call the homeowners and ask, ‘Do you want us to call the police?’ So, right there there is a delay," Lehman said. "Burglars are only going to be in your house two, three minutes. Most of them know exactly what they are doing.”
Sgt. Lehman says cameras are a great tool but not the expensive, hard-wired kind. She suggests doorbell cameras like Ring or Nest, which can cost from $100 to $300.
“They can be a deterrent as well as help us catch people after the fact,” Lehman said.
It’s common to use shrubs or trees for privacy but criminals use them to hide, so it’s best to trim it. It is also a good idea to move bins or buckets inside.
“Someone can use that to hop in the window,” Lehman said.
Police say thieves hit houses during the day when people are at work. So make it look like someone is home, like by leaving a locked car in the driveway.
“Leaving a radio on, a TV on, that helps,” Lehman said.
To prevent thieves from kicking in your door, Sgt. Lehman suggests reinforcing it with thicker screws.
You can get mini-battery operated wireless alarm sensors. When you leave home, double check those locks.
“Kitchens and bathroom windows, a lot of times people leave those unlocked,” Lehman said.
When you are going out of town, call your local police department and ask to patrol on your street more often.
