Home Safety Tips

12/22/2008 - Monte Vista is one of the safer neighborhoods in the city, meaning the incidences of crime are low compared to other areas of the city. Officer Rodriguez who is the SAFFE officer assigned to the neighborhood reports to the MV Board each month. For the most part, MV residents can prevent crime by following some basic safety procedures.

The most common crime reported in MV is car break-ins where an item of value is visible through the window. Officer Rodriguez advises that residents avoid leaving laptops, cell phones, purses, bags, etc in a parked car and of couse lock the car at all times.

Another common crime in MV is theft of items from garages with open doors or windows. It is advised that cars be parked in garages and garage doors be closed and locked at all times.

Other safety tip include always keeping house doors locked, lighting outside areas, including alleyways at night, stopping mail and newspapers when away from home for any period of time. It is even a good idea to get your neighbor to put some trash out for you, including recycle boxes when you are on vacation. In other words, attempt to keep your home looking like you are there.

This neighborhood is often the area where salesman, missionaries, kids working for organizations and opinion poll groups operate. It is never a good idea to open your door to any stranger and of course never invite anyone in your home you don't know. Always be suspicious and cautious of unusual requests such as someone saying something like "I lost my door key and I live on ...... street. I am your neighbor and I just need to call my son to bring me a key." This is probably a scam and the most you should do is offer to call yourself. If you want to donate to a charity, do so as a voluntary act, not as a request from a stranger at your door.

Be sure you know your neighbors and don't hesitate to ask neighborhoods to watch your home when you are gone.
Let your neighbors know your nomal schedule and your vacation schedule. Officer Rodriguez says that alert neighbors are much more effective than alarm systems for preventing crime.

If you observe what you consider suspicious activity, call 260-7479, the cell phone for SAFFE Officer Rodriguez.

carol estefan