Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Stock photo, Metro Creative Graphics

Kent Police offer safety tips to reduce residential burglaries

Good outside lighting in front, back and sides of home one step to take

The Kent Police Department have released tips to improve security around your home and keep it less likely to be a target of a residential burglary.

It is important that neighbors be aware of what is going on in your neighborhood, according to police. Whenever you see anything suspicious, call 911 immediately and explain specifically what suspicious activity you are seeing.

Here are some tips:

• Keep all windows, doors and sliding doors locked whether even when you are home. Install protective window film to smaller windows next to doors. This helps prevent breaking of glass and denying access to inside of front door.

• Close garage doors and entries to garages-keep them shut and locked.

• Use secondary locking systems on windows/sliding glass doors (wooden dowels etc.).

• Locate valuables such as purses, laptops, small electronics, cash and jewelry out of plain sight from windows and doors. If you choose to keep cash and other important items in your home, keep them locked in a safe. You may also use a safe deposit box at a bank.

• Install good lighting in the front, back and sides of your home such as motion sensor lighting. Lighting allows things/people to be seen and alerts you and neighbors when something unusual is happening.

• Participate in Operation ID – document valuables, serial numbers, and photos of valuables so that in case of a break-in you have this information available to provide to police to assist in identifying your property.

• Be aware of your surroundings. When walking to and from your vehicle look around and make note of any suspicious and unfamiliar people, groups of people, behavior, and activity. If you spot anything suspicious, call 911 immediately.

• Consider becoming a Block Watch through the Kent Police Department. Kent Police is hosting a Block Watch 101 class on Thursday, Sept. 28 from 6:30-8 p.m. at the Kent Police/Fire Training Center, 24523 116th Ave. SE. RSVP to swood@kentwa.gov if you’d like to attend and learn more crime prevention tips and how to start a Block Watch in your neighborhood.


Talk to us

Please share your story tips by emailing editor@kentreporter.com.

To share your opinion for publication, submit a letter through our website https://www.kentreporter.com/submit-letter/. Include your name, address and daytime phone number. (We’ll only publish your name and hometown.) Please keep letters to 300 words or less.

More in News

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Medical examiner identifies man fatally stabbed in Kent

27-year-old man died from stab wound of chest at West Hill apartment complex

Kent Mayor Dana Ralph could see her salary go up in 2026 to $20,000 per month, a 9.2% increase. COURTESY PHOTO, City of Kent
Proposal would boost Kent mayor’s annual salary to $240,000

A 9.2% increase from current pay of $219,720; City Council pay to remain the same

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Man, 26, fatally stabbed at Kent West Hill apartment complex

Officers responded early Saturday morning, Feb. 7 to the 25700 block of 27th Place South

Courtesy File Photo, U.S. Immigration and Customs
Kent School District issues staff protocols for ICE

Message aims to prepare staff should immigration authorities appear at or near schools

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Train strikes, kills Kent man, 64, in wheelchair on tracks

Feb. 4 incident at East James Street second death by train in three days in Kent

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent Police Blotter: Jan. 12-18

Incidents include attempted robbery, carjackings

File Photo, Kent Reporter
Kent woman standing on tracks struck and killed by train | Update

Woman identified; reportedly waving at train Feb. 2 in the 1000 block of First Avenue North

Image courtesy King County Sheriff's Office
Super Bowl patrols underway as part of ‘Night of 1,000 Stars’ campaign

Emphasis patrols will be active in King County to encourage safe driving

COURTESY PHOTO, Sound Transit
No light rail service in Kent on Saturday, Feb. 7

Sound Transit to close line between Federal Way and Angle Lake for maintenance; buses will run

t
Kent high school students hit streets to protest ICE

Hundreds oppose actions that resulted in deaths of protesters in Minneapolis and removal of immigrants

United States Courthouse in Seattle. COURTESY PHOTO, USDOJ
Man pleads guilty to home invasion robberies in Kent, elsewhere

Armed, masked men entered homes in 2022 and tied up victims as they ransacked places

t
King County Metro rolls out new fleet of battery-electric buses

Routes in Kent, Auburn and Renton among the cities that will feature the new buses