Full Notification

Solebury Tonwship Police have been investigating several residential burglaries over the past three months. The most noticeable pattern of burglaries are occurring during the daytime hours, houses that do not have alarm systems or where the alarm system was not on.

We have been monitoring this trend, providing extra patrols and conducting special operations to apprehend the burglars. We are working with area police agencies who have experienced similar burglaries.

Most burglaries occur when the burglar gains access to a home by force. We are advising the public to lock up, and make sure to activate any alarm or surveillance systems in the home. We ask that residents promptly report suspicious activity since those leads are often instrumental in closing burglary cases.

When leaving town make sure to have mail and newspaper deliveries put on hold to avoid becoming a target of opportunity, police said. They also suggest installing timers for interior lighting, TV's or radios.

Again, we urge residents to be mindful or their surroundings and to REPORT any SUSPICIOUS activity to us. 215-348-7400 or 911

Burglary Prevention Tips

Prevention Tip 1 – Surveillance Cameras
Installing camera systems can alert residents to an intrusion, and save valuable evidence of the identity of the perpetrator(s)

Prevention Tip 2 – Security Alarms
You don’t have to pay the big bucks for a professionally installed one if you don’t want. There are plenty of do-it-yourself home security alarms that will work just as well. Normally, if an alarm is triggered, any burglars inside your home will start running when the siren sounds.

Prevention Tip 3 – Lock Doors and Gates
This one is really easy – lock your doors.

Prevention Tip 4 – Deadbolts
Deadbolts are a great way to make breaking into your home more difficult. They are almost impossible to pick, and the thief will have to spend quite a lot of time working on your door to get past it.

Prevention Tip 5 – Hiding Valuables
Close curtains or blinds around your windows and doors whenever you are not home, and pack valuables away out of sight when you are finished using them. If a thief looks into your home and doesn’t see anything of value, then there is less reason for him to try and get in.
Prevention Tip 6 – Notices
Having notices or stickers around the house on your windows stating that you have an alarm system installed can be a great deterrent.

Prevention Tip 7 – Collect Mail
Having a heap of newspapers on your lawn or mail overflowing out of your letterbox is a great way for burglars to know you aren’t home. This gives them more confidence, as they know there is less chance of them getting caught if there is no one around to catch them.

Prevention Tip 8 – Outdoor Lights
Having motion sensor lights that turn on whenever movement is detected can cause a burglar to think twice about entering your home at night time.

Prevention Tip 9 – Know Your Neighbors
Get to know your neighbors. They can be invaluable in helping to keep your house safe, and to alert you should something be amiss.

Reporting Suspicious Activity
Remember: If you observe something unusual or think something looks ‘wrong’, report it. DON’T HESITATE TO CALL 911! FOLLOW YOUR INSTINCT! You WILL NOT get in trouble with the police- and you WILL be doing a service to your community!
Consider the following activities suspicious, and call the police:

A person or vehicle stays in the same place for an unusual length of time.
A parked car with the engine running- regardless of a person inside or not.
A person behaves strangely or exhibits unusual movements, looks out of place, or is wandering aimlessly.
A person concealing an object, carrying a weapon or suspicious bag.
A person looking into cars, moving from car to car, and/or tries door handles.
A person looking into windows of homes, or forcibly entering a car or home.
A person running from a home for no apparent reason, especially at night.
A person carrying/transporting unusual/valuable objects, day or night.
A person sells/conducts business out of their car, van, truck, or other vehicle.
A vehicle drives around your block frequently, slowing down, speeding up.
A vehicle without lights on, arriving or leaving at night.
A person leaving a neighbor’s house who isn’t the neighbor or someone you recognize or uniformed.
Police 24/7 non-emergency number (215) 348-7400