As of the 2024 - 2025 year, the Crime Watch Committee head is Christy Bryan.

Keeping Your Property Safe: Tips for the End of Winter and the Start of Spring

Published February 1, 2025

As we move into the months of February, March, and April, Carriage Hills homeowners may experience a mix of winter storms and the promise of spring—along with increased opportunities for criminal activity. While crime can happen at any time of year, these months come with certain patterns that can leave your property more vulnerable. Here are some practical tips to help you keep your home safe:

1. Illuminate Your Property

With the time change in March and the lingering winter evenings, it’s crucial to maintain proper outdoor lighting. Ensure that walkways, driveways, and entrances are well-lit to deter burglars. Motion-activated lights around the yard or at entry points are a great option and cost-effective in the long run.

2. Keep Your Landscape Trimmed

Spring is a great time to tidy up your yard, but it also provides an opportunity for criminals to hide behind overgrown bushes or trees. Regularly trim hedges near windows and entry points, and make sure your front and back yards are well-maintained. This reduces places for intruders to hide and gives you better visibility of your surroundings.

3. Secure Doors and Windows

The cold weather in February can often cause residents to forget about locking windows and doors, especially when indoors for longer periods. Ensure that all entry points are securely fastened, including garage doors. Invest in sturdy, high-quality locks for doors and windows, and consider adding a security bar or reinforcement for sliding glass doors.

4. Be Mindful of Vacationing Neighbors

During spring break and holiday periods, many families will travel for vacations. Take extra care when neighbors are gone. Offer to collect mail, newspapers, or packages to avoid signals that the home is unoccupied. Additionally, avoid posting travel plans on social media until you return home.

5. Utilize Security Systems and Cameras

Smart home security systems, video doorbells, and cameras are more accessible than ever. Even a simple video camera at the front door can provide valuable evidence if needed and act as a deterrent to criminals. Be sure to update any software, regularly check the functioning of these devices, and keep an eye on your neighborhood for any unusual activity.

6. Participate in Neighborhood Watch

Plano is known for its tight-knit communities, and joining a neighborhood watch program can be an effective way to monitor suspicious activity. A collective effort from neighbors can drastically reduce criminal activity and make everyone feel safer. We’re always looking for more help — we need your eyes and ears! If you’re at interested in joining the CrimeWatch committee, please let us know.

7. Be Careful with Deliveries

As more and more people shop online, package thefts, or "porch piracy," are on the rise. Consider signing up for delivery alerts, or have packages delivered to secure locations, like a package locker or a trusted neighbor’s home. If you’re expecting a large delivery, try to arrange for someone to be home during the delivery window.

8. Don’t Forget About the Garage

Garages often become a target for burglars due to easy access and the storage of valuable items. Always keep garage doors closed and locked. Even if you’re home, don’t leave it open for long periods, as it’s an easy invitation for criminals to take advantage.

9. Consider a Smart Mailbox or Package Box

As springtime brings more deliveries, a smart mailbox or package box could be a great investment to prevent theft. These are secure containers for deliveries that require a code or key to open, keeping your packages out of sight and safe from opportunistic thieves.

By following these simple steps, Carriage Hills residents can help ensure their properties are protected during the months of February, March, and April. Crime may never be completely avoidable, but proactive measures can significantly reduce the risk of becoming a target.

Stay vigilant and safe this spring!

Resources from Plano Police Department

Registered Sex Offenders - www.familywatchdog.us

Texas Public Sex Offender Registry

Facebook – Plano Texas Police Department

Instagram – @planopolicedept

Community Camera Program – https://www.plano.gov/2356/Community-Camera-Program

• By registering your camera with the police department, they can quickly identify nearby cameras that may have captured criminal activity. You will only be contacted if there is a criminal incident in the vicinity of your security camera.

Crime Map – www.communitycrimemap.com

Nextdoor - Office David Tilley is very active (search in your app store)

Youtube - Officer Christopher Bianez has a channel with “Safety Minute” videos covering many topics - binge watch them all!

Neighbors by Ring (app) – this is a neighborhood app to share alerts, comment on local issues and help make our communities safer for everyone. With this app, you can exactly draw the size of your neighborhood on a map and filter your feed with topics of interest. (search in your app store)

Text “planopd” to 555888 to download the free Neighbors App to see what’s going on in your community.

Citizens Police Academy - The Plano Police Department sponsors the Citizens Police Academy (CPA) with the goal of educating the residents of Plano on the operations of the department. The CPA is led by the Crime Prevention Unit, with all lectures and activities taught by Police Officers whose current assignments are directly involved in the policing activities covered in their segment of the academy. The CPA is conducted at the Plano-Richardson Police Training Center where the Plano and Richardson Police Agencies conduct their training. The equipment used during the CPA is the same equipment used to train Police Officers.

When not serving in her professional and volunteer roles, she also runs side businesses as a Mary Kay Beauty Consultant and a Real Estate Open House Host. In her free time, she enjoys date nights with her husband and playtime with her toddler.