Washington, D.C. Police Chief Cathy Lanier told the Washington Post that residents need to "reduce the opportunity. People don't just walk down the street and decide 'I'm going to hit your home today.' They do some casing."
When going away on vacation, residents should leave a car parked in their driveway so it looks as if someone is home, the newspaper reported. They should also stop mail and newspaper delivery. A pileup of these materials is tell-tale sign that someone is on vacation. If gone for an extended period of time, people should ask a neighbor to mow their lawn. An unkempt yard is an invitation for a home invasion. Homeowners or renters should also never forget to lock all of their windows and doors.
Some police departments offer a vacation check-in service for vacationing residents. This is an extra step of protection that shouldn't be overlooked.
