Police, Fire Officials Share Eye-Opening Tips To Keep Residents and Their Homes Safe

Residents surely have heard this one before: A dead giveaway that a person's on vacation or away from home is a dark house and a full mailbox.

But, did you know burglars might also look for a blinking answering machine light?

North Canton police, firefighters and other city officials shared that and more tips they've picked up (some from the criminals themselves) that could help keep North Canton residents and their homes safe. They led the safety and crime prevention meeting Tuesday night inside the North Canton Civic Center.

The meeting, which focused on Wards 1 and 4, brought in about 160 people, filling nearly every seat inside the civic center.

Safety officials stressed the importance of reporting their suspicions, even if they're unsure.

"I cannot overstress this," said Lt. Stanley Strausser, also a detective with the North Canton Police Department. "It's the public that helps us solve these crimes. We don't solve them on our own."

Strausser offered some tips to for residents to keep in mind.

• Make sure your answering machine isn't visible from outside. No one can stand a beeping answering machine, so it's a sure-fire sign that no one is home.
• Report suspicious vehicles. If you see a strange vehicle in your neighbor's yard and can't reach your neighbor, call the police.
• Don't keep all your valuables in one place in your home, and don't keep valuables where burglars are sure to look (example: all your jewelry in the bedroom).
• If you'll be away from your home, set your TVs and lights to turn on while you're away, and have your neighbors or a friend pick up your mail. Also, keep your blinds closed and your alarm system on.
• Have your home address clearly marked on both your house and your mailbox to ensure emergency responders can spot your house from the road. In fact, residents can purchase blue reflective signs and posts through the Mayor's Office for $14.
• Beware of anyone trying to sell you something. If it seems too good to be true, it is. Residents can check with the Better Business Bureau or the city of North Canton to ensure the seller is reputable. Solicitors must register with the city beforehand.
• When traveling with a spouse, make sure to carry separate credit cards in case one is stolen or information from one is stolen. It's unlikely the criminal will gain access to both cards, so you're never without a means to cash.
• Try sending out mail at the post office instead of your mailbox. Police had pinpointed two people who were stealing personal checks from North Canton residents' mailboxes and using those checks to gain access to the residents' bank accounts.
• If you're opening a new credit card and asked to list your mother's maiden name, don't; try your grandmother's instead. "Your mother's maiden name is printed on your birth certificate, which is public record," Strausser reminded residents.
• And the obvious? Lock your cars. Lock your homes. Lock up your valuables.

Chief John Bacon of the North Canton Fire Department also stepped in with some advice about fire and EMS calls, saying if you think you need a medic unit, call. And call at any hour.

Often residents think they'll inconvenience emergency responders if they call during the early mornings, but Bacon reminds them that that's their job.

"Your emergency is our emergency," he said. "We're here to help you."

Fire Captain Gary Coen also stressed the convenience of the KNOX-BOX, an indestructible lock box that can be mounted on a resident's door. The box, which emergency responders can gain access to, holds the resident's house key.

Coen said once residents have the box installed, a fire official will come to their home and ensure responders can access the key. Having a KNOX-BOX also ensures responders are not giving out the home's garage access code over the radio.

Eric Bowles, Department of Permits and Development director, told residents to be vigilant about city codes. If they see someone parking in a yard, debris throughout yards or any other violation, they should call the permits and inspection department. Those calls can be anonymous, he said.

"In the last year and a half, we have ramped up inspections in the city to preserve the neighborhoods and make sure it's stable, so when people come into the city, they see a city that they really want to live in," Bowles said.

He reminded residents to find a credible contractor and get three to four bids before having any work done on their homes.

"If the first bid is really low compared to the others, they probably aren't doing the job right, or they might be doing something illegal," Bowles said.