Sometime between 10:00 pm on Saturday, 8/18 and 6:00 am on Sunday 8/19, a home on the 4400 block of N Ardmore was burglarized. Entry was made by cutting open a screen on an opened ground floor window. Once inside, the burglar(s) made off with keys to a vehicle which was parked in the driveway. Along with some small electronic items, a vehicle was stolen
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Police in Whitefish Bay are investigating a similar burglary which occurred in their village overnight.
Remember, you may have the best locks on your doors but your window screen is no match for a pocketknife
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• If you can, ONLY open windows that are inaccessible from outside. By definition this will exclude windows in the basement, ground floor and those on floors which are accessible by climbing. Accessible windows by climbing would include those next to a soil or rainwater pipe and those onto a flat or climbable pitched roof. It might also include windows that can be climbed up to via a garden structure or perhaps a climbing shrub growing against a wall. If you leave an insecure ladder nearby, then many other windows will be at risk.
• If the window you want to open is accessible, then follow the guidance below. You will have to determine the level of extra security you might need bearing in mind that if the window is onto a fat roof then the thief will be able to exert the same forces as if he or she were standing on the ground.
• Some casement windows are fitted with a secondary locking point, enabling you to have them slightly open for a little ventilation. Lock them fully at night and when you go out.
• You can fit sliding sash windows with additional lockable sash stops to allow a small ventilation gap. Lock them fully at night and when you go out.
• If it’s a child’s bedroom, then there should be child locks (for ventilation) on the windows anyway – for safety – and most times these will be sufficient enough for night-time security where climbing up to that window is going to be difficult or simply not possible. Lock them fully at night and when you go out.
• To ensure maximum security for an open-at-night accessible window fit a security grille on the inside
