Ask not what your apartment can do for you, but what you can do for yourself to not become a victim of crime! Our Camden apartment communities are a great place to live. But let’s face it, crime happens! If someone wants to get in to your home, a moat, a thick concrete wall with barbed wire, or even guards with guns aren’t going to keep them out. There is something they have been eyeing and they want it no matter what.

Here are some helpful hints to deter crime:**​**

Get to know your neighbors.

• Knowing your neighbors will not only help you know when someone suspicious is around, but you could go to them when emergencies happen.

• Take part in National Night Out at your community

Check your front door peephole.

• Does your door have a peephole? If not, contact your Camden team.

• Is the peephole cloudy or blurry? If so, out in a service request on MyCamden.

Create the impression of not living alone.

• Put your lights on a timer so they automatically go on and off at a certain time when you’re not there.

• Leave your TV on while away.

Camden Hayden in Tempe, AZ - Photo Courtesy of Camden

Keep your phone near you at all times.

• Keep your cell phone out while walking from your car to your door.

• Take your cell phone with you on your dog walks or when walking outside your building.

Have your keys ready.

• Have your car keys in your hand when headed to your car.

• Have your house keys in your hand before exiting your car so you aren’t digging for them at your door.

• Have pepper spray attached to your key chain. It’s great to have in your hand should you need it!

Make note of movers.

• Is someone moving? Or is someone stealing?

• Burglars look just like anyone else. They don’t always wear a ski mask to rob a home.

• Is someone walking down the hall with a TV or laptop? If you don’t see a moving truck around, it could be stolen.

• If something looks suspicious it probably is. Use your intuition and don’t just brush off the feeling.

Out of sight, out of mind.

• Never, never leave valuables in your car. It’s best to keep your car empty because not all items stolen are going to be valuable.

• Close your blinds so that flat screen TVs and stereo systems aren’t an invitation to be robbed.

Security system in use?

• Does your apartment have an alarm system wired already? If so, use it! Set it when you leave AND while you are home even if it isn’t monitored. A burglar doesn’t know if it is monitored or not.

• If your apartment doesn’t have an alarm system, there are easy to install alarm systems out there which are also easy to use. Even wireless alarm systems which you can take with you where ever you live!

Get Renters Insurance.

• Should you get burglarized, your renter’s insurance will be what helps you replace your stolen possessions.

• Your landlord would have an insurance policy as well, but it usually only covers the building, NOT your personal belongings.

• Renters insurance is fairly cheap when you think about how much it would cost to replace your valuables if stolen, or everything you own in case of a fire.

Get a yappy dog.

• 9 out of 10 burglars do not want to deal with pets. If they knock on your door and a dog starts barking, they will probably move on to the next residence.

• Size doesn’t matter when it comes to the dog. If it barks, it works. Anything to alert your neighbors to the intruder is not what a burglar wants.

• No you do not want a dog who barks at all hours of the day, nor do you want to live next to one who does either. However, you do want one who barks at the front door when someone knocks or something is going on in your hallway.

Camden Post Oak in Houston, TX - Photo Courtesy of Camden

Most of all listen to your intuition and suspicions! If something doesn’t look right or feel right, call the police!

Check out the Simply Camden blog post 7 Products that will Make Your Apartment a Smart Home for some awesome products to help deter crime in your home and help you be #CamdenHappy!