Home Security Check List

We were sent this by the Fort Lauderdale Police Deptartment - it really does make you think -

Fort Lauderdale Police Department

Residential Security Checklist

Presented by:
The Crime Prevention Unit
Fort Lauderdale Police Department
1300 West Broward Blvd.
954-828-5700


We would like for you to take a few moments and review this checklist.

As you move about your home, you will find that each section points out specific areas where security should be a factor.

When you have completed your checklist, look at the yes and no columns. If you find that you have more no’s then yes’, then we would encourage you to find a solution that will work for you and your family to better protect your home.

If you have any questions about the checklist or cannot find a solution to an area that needs attention, please feel free to contact your crime prevention unit.

We also encourage you to contact the unit for a free survey. This survey can give you greater insight on how to protect your family and residence along with practical solutions to strengthen your home’s security.


The Fort Lauderdale Police
Crime Prevention Unit
954-828-6421
954-828-6422
kimdicr@fortlauderdale.gov


Outside of Your Home
Are lights installed around the perimeter of the home?
Are some of these lights motion activated?
Does the lighting around your home illuminate entranceways?
Are lights attached in areas where they cannot be reached or turned off?
Is landscaping minimized to allow a visual line of sight to windows and doors?
Are trees trimmed up higher than six feet and trimmed away from lights?
Can your address be easily seen from your home?
Are ladders or other tools secured preventing them from being used as a burglary tool?
Are sheds or outside closets secured with a quality lock?

Doors
Are all exterior doors made of solid wood or metal construction?
Do your doors fit securely within their frame?
Are the frames strong and tight to prevent forcing, spreading or jimmying?
Are the doors hinges protected from the removal from the outside?
Do all door locks function properly?
Are there secondary locks (such as deadbolts) on all exterior doors?
Do the deadbolt locks extend into the door sufficiently?
Are strike plates installed over locks with at least 1 ½ screws?
Do your exterior doors have a 180 degree viewfinder?
Is your sliding glass door covered by sufficient locking devices?
Have you ensured that the sliding glass door cannot be lifted out of the track?
Do you have secondary locks on your French doors?
Are glass areas near or on the door reinforced in any way to prevent access to the lock?
Do you lock the interior garage door with a secondary lock?

Yes No

Windows
Do all windows have adequate locks in good operating condition?
Have you installed secondary locking devices that are easily removed in case of a fire?
Do your windows have screens that lock from the inside?
Are your windows impact resistant or have impact resistant tinting?
Are your windows in good repair and fit snuggly into the frame?
Do you close and lock your windows when you are not home?
Do you close and lock your windows when you are sleeping?
Do you have curtains, drapes, or blinds on your windows?
Are your valuables (computer, jewelry, camera) not easily seen from a window?

Garage
Are entrances from the garage to the home made of metal or solid wood construction?
Do the doors from the garage have adequate locks and secondary locks?
Are the windows in the garage properly secured and in good condition?
Does the garage door have adequate locking devices?
Is the garage door working properly and in good condition?
Does the garage door opener have an automatic light that turns on?
Is the garage door kept closed and locked at all times?
Does the garage contain an attic entrance that is secured from access to the home?

Yes No

Alarm
If you have an alarm, do you use it?
Do you use the alarm when you are settled inside your home for the night?
Does the home have a security alarm system that is functional?
Does the alarm meet the needs of the resident?
Is the system monitored by a reliable alarm service?
Does the alarm have a cellular back-up in case the phone lines are cut?
Is the alarm panel concealed from windows so a person cannot tell if the alarm is on?
Does the alarm have an internal and external audible alarm to deter a burglar?
Do all exterior doors (side garage and garage interior too) have intrusion detectors?
Do all windows, including garage windows, have intrusion detectors?
Are windows covered by glass break sensors?
Is the interior covered by motion sensors which are set for pets to avoid false alarms?
Have you updated your callout list with your alarm company?

Child Safety
Do your children know what to do in case of an emergency?
Do your children know their address and phone number?
Have you talked with your children about answering the door or phone?
Do your children know how to use the 911 number?
Does someone monitor the child’s use of the computer?
Is the computer set inside a living room or kitchen with the screen facing out?
Have you talked with your children (depending on age) about strangers?
Have you talked with your children (depending on age) about gun safety?
Have you talked with your children (depending on age) about drugs?
Have you talked with your children (depending on age) about computer safety?
Do you monitor your children when they play outside?

Yes No

General Safety
Are you careful not to open the door to strangers?
Do you acknowledge to person(s) at your door that you are home?
Do you lock your car and remove all valuables even when at home?
Are you careful not to leave your garage door opener in your car?
If you have a safe, is it theft and fire rated and bolted to the ground?
Do you keep a list, picture and serial number of all your valuables?
Do you keep your valuables in a safe and secured place?
Do you shred all your personal information?
Are you careful to never give out personal information over the phone or computer?
Do you have emergency phone numbers listed by your phone?
Do you review safety plans with your family?
If you have a firearm, is it unloaded and locked safely away?
Do you regularly update your computer security?
Do you call the police when you see suspicious person(s) or activity?
If you have a pool, are the exterior doors leading to it alarmed?
Does the pool have a child proof fence surrounding it?
Is the property around the pool fenced in?
Are family members trained in CPR?

Yes No

Congressman Ron Klein on the Oil Spill

If you are interested in how the BP Oil Spill is being discussed by our representatives in Capitol Hill, you may want to follow Congressman Klein's video postings:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E1u0cg4GbKg

Letter to City re:PUD moratorium

At the May meeting, the membership voted to support a moratorium of development relying on ULDR Section 47-37. I was asked to send a letter to the City supporting the efforts to enact such a moritorium. If you would like to read the ULDR setion - go to municode.com where you will be able to find a copy. Attached is a copy of the letter sent to Mayor Seiler.

Croissant Park Civic Association
P.O. Box 13117
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33316


June 15, 2010

Mayor Jack Seiler
City of Fort Lauderdale
100 North Andrews Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, FL 33301

Re: Proposed Moratorium for Section 47-37 – Planned Unit Development District

Dear Mayor Seiler,

At the May meeting of the Croissant Park Civic Association a presentation was made by several Fort Lauderdale residents bringing our attention to Section 47-37 of the ULDR, which provides for a PUD district. After reviewing the ordinance ourselves, and listening to the presentation, it was clear that the provisions of the PUD district ordinance could be used to allow development inconsistent with the current zoning and development of Croissant Park, and other neighborhoods within the City.

While many aspects of the ordinance as it presently exists concerned the residents, several provisions were particularly troubling. For example, it would be possible to assemble the (sort of) required two acre parcel by stretching across streets and alleys, which seems to negate the intent of the ordinance. Even more troubling is the provision that would make that two acre parcel requirement inapplicable. I point to the provision that states that the two acre minimum parcel size can be waived if the proposed development is located near, and designed to integrate, bus or rail transit lines. The way that reads, the argument could be made that any proposed development within a few blocks of a bus stop would meet the criteria.

Surely it was not the intention of the City to disrupt neighborhoods with multiple PUD projects by making it easier for developers to skirt, or avoid altogether the underlying zoning. Yet the current PUD ordinance appears to open the door to just such a scenario. Based on the foregoing, the membership of Croissant Park voted to support efforts to enact a moratorium on development relying upon Section 47-37 of the ULDR in order to explore the ramifications of the ordinance and propose changes that will serve to protect the character of our neighborhoods.

We would appreciate your support of a moratorium to explore the PUD zoning, and welcome an opportunity to be actively involved in any such review.

Thank you for your consideration in this regard.

PATRICIA A. RATHBURN, President
Croissant Park Civic Association

Cc: Commissioners Rogers, Rodstrom, Du Bose & Roberts

Add to our on line pantry

Now that we know Spam ( or as the chef on "cooking impossible" calls it "canned pork product" ) is not in the basket- what do you think should be? paper products? candles? board games? Someone in my house votes for a kiddie pool - not an altogether bad idea

Hurricane Preparedness in Fort Lauderdale

You can use this link to get the scoop on Hurricane Preparedness in Fort Lauderdale. There will be all kinds of preparedness information at the next Croissant Park Civic Association neighborhood meeting on Tuesday, June 29th. See you there.

http://ci.ftlaud.fl.us/hurricane/index.htm

Vice Mayor, Romney Rogers Newsletter

To view the newsletter click on the link below:

https://sites.google.com/site/croissantparkcivicassociation/announcements/vicemayorromneyrogersnewsletter

What's in your hurricane pantry?

Well, one thing I can tell you that is not in mine is Spam (or Vienna Sausages). A friend of mine and I started talking about how cans of the stuff fly off the shelves when a hurricane warning goes up - begging the question- do people actually buy this for any other purpose than disaster prep? And if so - who and why? I have to admit that I have never actually eaten either Spam or Vienna sausages and do not want to disparage products without giving them a try (like that is going to happen) so I won't say anything bad about the actual product. Its just the idea of them that got me wondering why people who never buy them at any other time would think that they make tasty treats during an emergency when there are so many other things they can stash away that taste good. Remember- you do not have to eat meat or some facsimile thereof to survive.

In keeping with our June membership meetings theme of Hurricane Prep I decided to start to make a list of things that people might want to consider having on hand during the summer months- just in case. I'm just getting started on the list and the items included are by no means listed in order of importance- just randomly. But here's the idea- I will keep adding things as they occur to me- but why don't you all post your thoughts on what needs to be in the hurricane supplies- and if the answer is not obvious- let us know why. If you can post pictures- even better - we will have a slide show at the meeting - and perhaps a prize for the best idea.

P.S. I claim Pop Tarts ( although no photo yet) as the perfect food- it even comes in foil wrapped packages so it doesn't get damp - OK - this qualifies as my "spam" contribution.

P.P. S. For some reason I can't figure out how to post images to this - need a tutorial - but if you check out the Croissant Park Facebook page- think I can post them there.

Posted By Patricia Rathburn

lost cat

Wandered away from home on SW 14 Street on Monday, June 7th. She is 17 years old, petite, deaf and sometimes seems "confused". She has been eating well and drinking water, but is a little wobbly at times, sleeps a lot and needs her medication.

If you have seen "Checks", please comment, or send an email to the Association at MyCroissantPark@gmail.com

Thank You

Farmers Market near Croissant Park

I'm not being paid for this.
Not even a free strawberry!!

I just want to share this rather enjoyable find in Fort Lauderdale. It's a Farmers Market called "Marando Farms" and it's just a block west of Broward General ... I visited the Market for the first time Saturday and took the pictures below.

The owners go down to the farms in Homestead on Fridays and pick up fresh organic produce, then sell it over the weekend. They're open Saturday and Sunday 9-4. They've got live chickens, pigs, rabbits on display. Organic breads. $16-a-bottle REAL maple syrup! Herbs. A hydroponic garden. Relishes. Lots of interesting food stuff. Take a look below!

Take Davie Blvd. to Andrews Ave ... go south to SW 14th Street, turn right, go one short block!

It's behind where Brownies used to be ...
... across the street from the Eastside Antique Market & Architectural Depot, 99 SW 14th Street ...
... just up the street from the Antique Car Museum (Saturdays, 10-4) http://antiquecarmuseum.org/ ...

It seems to be a really nice, small business and I hope this helps give it a boost! That will help local farmers, too!! And my Poinciana Park neighborhood!

Enjoy!
Cal

PS: Their phone is 954-713-6441. Address 1401 SW 1st Ave., Fort Lauderdale 33315

Months ago I started hearing a rooster crowing in the morning. Yesterday I met him!