Sheriff Tells Oakland County Homeowners How to Avoid a Break-In

Reports of multiple break-ins across Oakland County this month have police issuing warnings and tips to area homeowners.

On Tuesday, Oakland County Sheriff Michael Bouchard advised residents to take "simple steps to make your home more difficult to enter and less enticing to would-be burglars," he said in a release.

Last week in West Bloomfield, a resident on the 7000 block of Heather Heath Lane reported that 300-400 pieces of jewelry were stolen during a burglary on March 15.

Meanwhile, a licensed caregiver under Michigan's medical marijuana law living on the 6000 block of Post Oak Dr. said someome stole his marijuana, two Xbox game systems and a laptop on March 16.

Bouchard urged residents to make your home look occupied and difficult to break into by following these tips:

• Use motion sensitive lights on the exterior of your home.
• Install deadbolt locks on all exterior doors.
• Keep your garage door, exterior doors and windows locked even when you are home.
• If you do leave your windows open, use a locking device to prevent it from being opened all the way.
• Install special track locks on sliding glass doors and windows to prevent them from being forced or pried open.
• Be sure valuables in your home are not visible from the street.
• Use blinds and drapes on windows to conceal these items. 
• Trim trees and shrubs near doors and window to limit hiding places close to your home. 
• If going on vacation, have a trusted neighbor pick up your newspapers and mail so these items don’t accumulate and alert burglars of your absence.
• Arrange for them to keep an eye on your home, even taking care of mowing the lawn. 
• If you see a vehicle or someone who is loitering around the homes in your area, call your local police. 
• Leave lights on when you go out.
• If you are away for an extended period of time connect your lights to automatic timers.