The following tips are intended to assist Kirkland residents and visitors in deterring and preventing common types of crime. For additional crime prevention information, contact Neighborhood Resource Officer Audra Weber at 425-587-3451 or aweber@kirklandwa.gov.
 
Home Burglary Prevention's Top 10 Tips:

1. Make your house "hard." If it looks difficult to enter, is difficult to enter, and is well-maintained, chances are they will try somewhere else.
2. Place sufficient lighting in the front/back of your home and garage.
3. Use deadbolt locks as secondary locks on all doors. Ensure you have 2 1/2 - 3" screws in the door frame strike plate to reinforce deadbolt security.
4. Fortify your windows and sliding glass doors with secondary locks or dowels that fit securely in windows. Dowels can be made of wood, PVC pipe or metal. Secondary locks include eye and hook, charlie bars.
5. Secure your garage doors with a padlock or a sliding/cane bolt. Lock the door that leads into the house from the garage.
6. Develop rapport with neighbors. You are more apt to look out for each others' homes & property if you know each other.
7. Trim all landscaping below windows to avoid concealment areas.
8. Make sure your address is visible from the street so emergency personnel can quickly respond with ease.
9. Don't let mail or newspapers pile up.  It is a telltale sign that you are gone.  Arrange for a friend or neighbor to collect these items in your absence. 
10. Get a dog. Dogs are a good deterrent to burglars. 
      

A thief can steal your unsecured bicycle in seconds. Follow the prevention tips to protect your bike:

1. When purchasing a bike, keep the receipt and take a clear photo of the bike.  Keep the photo and receipt in a safe place.
2. Record the make, model, and serial number of the bike.  The serial number is usually located on the rear wheel or beneath the bottom bracket where the pedals attach.  Keep this information in a safe place with your color photo.
3. Lock-up your bicycle.  Use a case-hardened "U" lock or hardened steel chain and padlock, and attach your bike securely to a sturdy fixed object.
4. Remember to also lock parts attached with quick-release mechanisms.
5. Lock your bike in an area that is well lit and can be seen by passing pedestrians and motorists.
6. To prevent the theft of accessories, such as lights and bags, they should be detached and taken with you when the bicycle is left unattended.
7. Don't leave your bike unattended in your yard- even for a second.
8. Don't hide your bike in the bushes- thieves know where to look.

Fighting crime is not just a job for the police. Everyone can join the battle through Crime Stoppers. The citizen-support program allows people to tell about criminal activity without getting directly involved. Anyone with information on a felony crime can call Crime Stoppers at 206-343-2020 or toll free at 1- 800-CRIME 13 and give the tip to police without giving his/her name. Cash rewards of up to $1,000 are paid for information leading to the arrest.

Link: Crime Stoppers of Puget Sound