Practical precautions from AACO’s Keeping Our Community Safe brochure, with additional guidance on backup power and video storage.
If a crime is in progress or someone is in immediate danger, call 911. AACO offers culturally relevant community support for the AAPI community; contacting AACO does not replace reporting to law enforcement.
Check that exterior doors, windows and other entry points close securely and that locks are working. Lock doors and windows when leaving home, and avoid giving unfamiliar visitors access while you verify who they are. Have locks that cannot easily be picked and consider also having wooden dowels in sliding doors or windows to prevent entry.
Consider a professionally monitored, hard-wired security system with battery backup. Ideally, choose a camera system that records video locally and also uploads it to secure cloud storage. Ask your installer which components remain powered during an outage, how long backup power lasts, and how monitoring and recording continue if internet service or wireless signals are disrupted. Be sure that security cameras/systems are present on second floor levels, not just the entry/ground level of a home. Audible systems on loudspeakers that are not reliant on wi-fi can also be effective.
Avoid keeping large amounts of cash, jewelry or other valuables at home—even inside a safe. Keep an inventory and photographs of important belongings so you can describe them if a theft occurs.
Where possible, vary the hours and days you are away so your routine is less predictable. AACO recognizes that this may not be practical for many small business owners. When traveling, arrange for someone you trust to check your home.
Get to know your neighbors and encourage them to report suspicious activity. Share specific observations about unusual vehicles, repeated visits or people accessing a home. Even if nothing is stolen, a report can help law enforcement connect related incidents.
Remove your home address from the internet where possible. AACO can suggest resources to help with this. Avoid posting your address in publicly accessible databases. Consider a P.O. Box for registrations for both your home and business.
Regularly inspect bushes, trees, fences and other accessible areas around your property for hidden surveillance cameras or unusual objects. Be alert to repeated activity around your home or business. If something seems out of place, report it promptly without confronting anyone.
Be cautious about unexpected visitors wearing reflective vests, delivery logos or insignia, or clothing associated with utility work or landscaping. Clothing and logos alone do not establish that someone is a legitimate worker. Watch for behavior that seems out of place, such as repeatedly watching a property, entering yards without an appointment, or checking doors. Verify unexpected work or deliveries directly with the company using contact information you find independently before granting access.
Keep entrances and approaches well lit and maintain visibility around doors and windows. Be alert to unexplained power outages, especially alongside unusual activity or interruptions to cameras or alarms. An outage alone does not establish criminal activity; check with your utility using its official contact information. If you suspect someone is interfering with power or security equipment, stay safe and report your observations without confronting them.
Review AACO’s latest community safety update and share these home-security tips with your household.