A Neighborhood Watch Program
The Eyes of Orangetown Crime Prevention Program focuses on every resident and business person in the Town of Orangetown. The program is intended not only to keep this the Town of Friendly People, but to make it the Town of Friendly and Watchful Neighbors.
One of the purposes of the Eyes of Orangetown program is to be a good neighbor and look out for the safety, security, and well-being of those around you, as well as yourself.
The Orangetown Police Department would like to have every resident of the Town to participate in this program by watching out for anti-social behavior and reporting it as any suspicious activity to the Police IMMEDIATELY.
Anything that looks suspicious to you should be reported. Our patrols will respond. Don't be afraid to call. Dial 359-3700 for non-emergencies, and 9-1-1 for emergencies.
Remember that you are those additional eyes of the Orangetown Police Department. Without you, it will be more difficult to prevent crime.
What is the difference between a BURGLARY and a ROBBERY ?
A burglary is a crime in which a person enters and remains unlawfully in a building or dwelling with the intent to commit a crime therein. The crime is usually larceny, which is the taking of property of another without their permission, but can be any crime including criminal mischief, assault, rape, etc. A charge of Burglary is separate and in addition to any crime committed while in the building or dwelling.
A robbery is the forcible taking of property from another person. This is a crime committed against a person.
BURGLARY PREVENTION
There are several things we must keep in mind to reduce the chances of being the victim of a burglary.
Think of how the exterior of your house will appear to a burglar. By using the following suggestions, your home will not be an attractive target for a burglary.
Have legible house numbers on the house or on both sides of roadside mailboxes so that no time is wasted by responding Police in an emergency.
Do not put names on the house or roadside mailboxes as a burglar can then find telephone numbers in a telephone book and phone the house to check if it is vacant.
Keep shrubbery trimmed so that a burglar can't hide behind shrubs when checking for a house to be burglarize.
Pack garbage securely or garbage may advertise that items are in the house. (An example would be putting the packing containers of a new home computer outside, advertising the presence of the computer.)
Have a neighbor put his garbage in your trash cans when the house is vacant.
Leave a car parked in the driveway, or have a neighbor park his car in your driveway when the house is vacant.
Have someone cut your lawn and shovel snow when the house is vacant.
Have a responsible neighbor check your house daily when the house is vacant to collect mail, newspapers, etc., left outside and to advise Orangetown Police of anything suspicious.
If requested, an Orangetown Police Officer will visit your house and conduct a burglary prevention survey, answer questions and make recommendations where applicable concerning burglary prevention.
WHEN HOUSE IS VACANT
It is important to notify your trusted neighbors when your house will be vacant.
Notify the Orangetown Police when your house will be vacant, they will make checks on your house when you are away. Advise them who if anyone may also be checking the house in your absence. Notify them upon your return.
ALARM SYSTEMS
Alarm systems are a useful tool in the prevention of burglary. Individuals must weigh the advantages against the cost factor. There are many different types of alarm systems available. The Orangetown Police Department does not recommend any particular system or alarm company, and suggests that residents contact several licensed Alarm Contractors to provide a written estimate for the installation, maintenance and monthly carrying charges prior to signing a contract.
ALARM REGISTRATION
Every resident of the Town of Orangetown who has an alarm system installed must register the alarm with the Orangetown Police Department in accordance with the Town of Orangetown Local Law No. 5 of 1984, or the Village of Nyack Local Law No. 2 of 1991. Applications may be obtained at the Orangetown Police Headquarters. There is no cost for this permit.
THE MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS OF THESE LAWS ARE AS FOLLOWS:
A. The alarm system shall contain an automatic audible signal cut-off device so that the maximum time of any alarm shall cause an externally audible signal to be emanated does not exceed thirty (30) minutes per activation.
B. The system shall be equipped with a standby power source sufficient to maintain the system in a state of readiness for at least six (6) hours in the event of a power failure.
C. Automatic dialer devices, upon a single stimulus, shall not exceed two (2) separate calls to the Police Department, and no such calls shall exceed one (1) minute in duration. There must be a two (2) minute interval between calls, with the second call clearly identified as such.
D. The contents of any record message to be transmitted to the Police Department must be intelligible and in the format approved by the Chief of Police as appropriate for the type of emergency being reported.
E. Automatic dialer devices shall be connected to the Police Department only via telephone numbers designated by the Chief of Police for this purpose. (359-3851)
VIOLATIONS OF THESE LOCAL LAWS
Penalties for offenses:
Operating or maintaining an alarm system without an alarm users permit: a fine of not less than twenty-five dollars ($25.00) nor more than one hundred dollars ($100.00).
Violators of these Local Laws with more than four (4) false alarms within any twelve (12) month period can result in fines or suspension of your permit.
DOORS AND DOOR LOCKS
There has never been a door lock developed which cannot be compromised. All locks are merely delaying devices, and if given enough time a knowledgeable burglar will be able to gain entrance to your home or business. The more difficult you make it for him, the better the chances are of him becoming discouraged, and he will look for an easier target. When selecting door locks and doors, there are many things you must keep in mind.
THE COST FACTOR AGAIN MUST BE CONSIDERED
When planning to install a new door be conscious of both the aesthetics and the security the door and lock will provide. There are many beautiful doors on the market which are pleasing to the eye, but are not designed for maximum security. We do suggest that the security of the door or lock take president, over aesthetic considerations.
Solid doors are better than those with glass panels.
Door frames may have to be reinforced.
We recommend dead bolt locks at least 1 1/2 " in length, and chain locks.
If door hinges are on the outside they must have interior protection against removing the door off the hinges.
LIGHTING AND ELECTRONICS
Proper lighting is perhaps the biggest deterrent to burglary. A burglar does not want to be seen. If he is seen the chances of his success and not being apprehended are greatly diminished.
For the exterior of the house there are many inexpensive low voltage light systems on the market which provide low inexpensive lighting along walks and shrubbery. These can be activated by timers, or photo electric cells activated by darkness, or a combination of both. There are also motion detector systems which activate lighting when anyone comes within a predetermined distance from the house. The lights will remain on as long as there is motion detected in the area. They will turn off automatically at the preset time you desire, when motion has ceased.
For the interior of the home the use of timers on light fixtures, and the use of timed radios or televisions set to different times is also a good deterrent for a burglar.
DO NOT LEAVE EXTERIOR LIGHTS ON DURING THE DAYTIME AS THIS ADVERTISES THE HOUSE IS VACANT.
DOGS
Dogs are a good deterrent to most burglars but do not trust them completely. It is good to display a "Beware of Dog" sign.
TELEPHONES
It is important to have a telephone in the bedroom for emergency. DIAL 9-1-1.
IN AN EMERGENCY ALL YOU HAVE TO DO IS DIAL 9-1-1. YOUR CALL WILL BE IMMEDIATELY RECEIVED BY THE ORANGETOWN POLICE DEPARTMENT, THE PERSON RECEIVING THE CALL WILL HAVE BEFORE THEM ON A COMPUTER SCREEN YOUR LOCATION, AND THE NAME OF THE PARTY TO WHOM THE TELEPHONE IS LISTED.
Do not panic, the person answering your call is a professional and will try to calm you. By staying on the line, if requested, you may provide vital information to the Orangetown Police units responding to your call.
For non-emergencies please dial the regular Police Department number 359-3700, this is very important. There are a limited number of 9-1-1 lines, and by calling 9-1-1 for non-emergency calls, you are tying up a line which may prevent an emergency call from being received.
FIREARMS
The Orangetown Police Department does not recommend purchasing firearms for self defense. There are several reasons for this policy such as the following:
Possessing them increases the chances of an accidental shooting.
They may be used during a family argument.
They may be stolen if you are burglarized.
If used against a burglar, there is a 50% chance that the homeowner will be shot.
If used against a burglar, there may be a confrontation between the homeowner and armed Orangetown Police Officers responding to the burglary call.
VALUABLES
Keep an inventory record of valuables. Include make, model, color, serial number, and value in a safety deposit box, if available. This information is required by the Orangetown Police and your insurance company if you are burglarized.
Take photographs, and or video tape recordings of all areas of your house and keep them in a safety deposit box, if available. These help in identifying missing items if you are burglarized.
Engraving tools are available at Orangetown Police Headquarters to be signed out for a few days at no cost to engrave valuables with your name, social security number, or state Drivers License number. This is helpful in recovering stolen items if you are burglarized and may also be a deterrent to a burglar for taking engraved items.
Do not leave valuables in plain sight whenever possible, keep valuables hidden.
Many insurance companies require that you purchase special riders for valuable items such as furs, jewelry, coins, stamps, etc.. Check with your insurance agent on this matter.
You may register your bicycles at Orangetown Police Headquarters.
IF YOU ARE BURGLARIZED
If you arrive home and suspect that your house has been burglarized, and have not as yet entered the house, go to a neighbor's house and call the Orangetown Police, by calling 359-3700 or 9-1-1. Advise the person answering the phone as to your location and the address of your home which you believe has been entered. If requested stay on the line to provide any additional information which will assist the Orangetown Police Units responding to your call.
The Officers responding will check your home first, and then will come to your location and advise of their findings. If in fact your house was burglarized, the Officers will conduct an investigation, and will need your assistance in providing a list of stolen items.
If you arrive home and have entered your house, and then discover the house has been burglarized, call the Orangetown Police, by calling 359-3700 or 9-1-1. If you suspect that the suspect may still be in the house, leave immediately and go to a neighbor's and follow the directions as stated above.
If you are confident that the burglar has left, call from your home as directed above.
Do not touch anything! Valuable evidence may be destroyed.
Stay calm, stay on the line until responding Officers arrive.
You will be asked to compile a complete list of stolen items. Include make, model, color, serial number, value and submit them to the Orangetown Police as soon as possible.
Most burglars are not violent unless cornered.
If sleeping and awaken to find a burglar in your bedroom, stay calm and pretend to continue sleeping. Call 9-1-1 as soon as he has left the house.
If sleeping and awaken to hear a burglar in another room, lock your door pretend you do not know the burglar is in the house. Turn on a light, if alone start a fictitious conversation, and call 9-1-1. Stay calm, by calling 9-1-1 your location is automatically on display . Tell the person answering the phone you believe there is a burglar in the house, and that you are locked in your bedroom. Stay on the phone if possible. Turn on a radio or television this may also help to scare the burglar, as well as covering your conversation with the Police.
SUSPICION OF BURGLARY SUSPECTS IN YOUR AREA
It is important to call the Orangetown Police immediately concerning anything suspicious. Dial 359-3700. If you truly believe that a crime is taking place or is about to, dial 9-1-1.
Most burglars are caught by Orangetown Police Patrols responding to telephone calls from residents concerning suspicious incidents. It is not necessary to give your name, address, or telephone number although this information will appear on the computer screen if you call 9-1-1, but this information is necessary for Orangetown Police to contact you if additional information is required concerning the suspicious incident. We urge you to cooperate with us by providing this information.
SOME TYPES OF SUSPICIOUS INCIDENTS
People knocking on your door for various reasons may actually be burglars attempting to check if your home is vacant.
Do not be concerned about telephoning Orangetown Police and embarrassing door-to door salesmen, religious type solicitors, etc., as these people are used to being checked by Police.
Gypsies! Every year our Town residents are the victims of Gypsies. These people often come to your door offering to provide services, such as fixing your roof, repairing your driveway, or other tasks, at greatly reduced prices. They will advise you that they were doing a job in the neighborhood, and have some left over material which they could use on your house at a greatly reduced price. DO NOT BE TAKEN IN BY THESE PEOPLE. The service they provide will be inferior, and often they will try to distract you while in your home so that an accomplice may slip away and steal valuable jewels or cash. DO NOT LET THESE PEOPLE INTO YOUR HOUSE UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES, call the Orangetown Police immediately and give a description of the people and of any vehicle they may have.
Utility workers often have to make calls to inspect or take meter readings inside your home. They are usually in some type of uniform, and have photo IDs with them. Do not be afraid to ask to see their identification, they are used to it. If you still feel uncomfortable, call the Orangetown Police and request that an Officer be dispatched to verify the persons identity.
Report unfamiliar people walking in the neighborhood.
Report unfamiliar vehicles parked or riding back and forth in the neighborhood.
When telephoning the Orangetown Police to report a suspicious vehicle, it is important to provide as much information as possible such as the license plate number, state or color of plate, and the description of the vehicle so that responding Officers can look for the vehicle while in route.
Unfortunately, we cannot guarantee that your home or business will not be burglarized. We do believe however that by implementing the steps in this program will greatly reduce the chances of you becoming a victim of a burglary. Be a good neighbor, work with your Police Department and we will have a safer community.