Crime Prevention Tips

See Something, Say Something

Always be aware of your surroundings.  Recognize what is normal for your neighborhood and what is not, and report any suspicious activity immediately to the Lomita Sheriff’s Station by calling 9-1-1 or (310) 539-1661.

Be on the lookout for unidentified persons or vehicles on your street.  Note the time of day, along with descriptors of what you observe.  Be willing to take pictures of things you find out of the ordinary.

Prevent Vehicle Burglaries

Take steps today to prevent thefts from your vehicle.   Residents are strongly encouraged to use “Lock It or Lose It” prevention tips every day.  It only takes a matter of seconds for a thief to break into your car and grab your valuable items.

 Look through the windows of your vehicle.  What do you see?  A bag on the passenger seat? A charging cord? A garage door opener? Change in a cup holder?   Take it with you or remove it from plain view and be sure to close all windows and lock doors.

 Follow these tips to help prevent vehicle burglaries: 

  1. Remove all valuable items from your car including purses and electronics.
  2. If you must leave valuables behind, put them in your trunk or locked glovebox before you reach your destination. Avoid doing so while in plain view.
  3. Park in a locked garage or in well-lit areas.

Protect Your Home

There are simple steps to take to help secure your home and deter residential burglaries:

  • When at home or away, keep all doors locked and windows secured with security latches.
  • Secure side gates and backyard access with padlocks at all times.
  • Request identification from any stranger that comes to your door, including utility workers, and verify before they enter your home.
  • Keep valuables out of sight, preferably secured in locked cabinets or safes.
  • Use motion-sensor activated lighting to secure the perimeter of your property.
  • Utilize home alarms, guard animals, signage, and trimmed landscaping to create sufficient protections for your property.

Practice a 9PM Routine

Every night at 9:00PM, the community is encouraged to lock up property, turn on lights, and bring in valuables to reduce the likelihood of falling victim to property crimes.  

Lock all doors and windows, including garage doors, turn on lights or set them on a timer if you plan to be away, and avoid leaving valuables in visible areas.   These actions help deter burglars and may help prevent residential burglaries. 

Vacation Security Tips

While planning and going on a vacation, consider these tips to help enhance your safety, and secure the safety of your property:

  • Avoid posting about your vacation on social media – doing so may alert thieves that your home is vacant.
  • Have friends or neighbors clear your newspapers and mail if you leave town, or temporarily suspend deliveries.
  • Set lights on a timer so your home looks occupied.
  • When on vacation, know the locations of local law enforcement stations and phone numbers.
  • Agree on a rendezvous point with members of your party in the event you get separated.
  • Share your itinerary with friends and family.

Protect Yourself and Your Family

Consider the following tips to help protect yourself and your family:

  • Keep personal valuables in check – purses, phones, wallets, and keys should be tucked away and secured.
  • Be cautious of the information you post on social media – consider who the information may now be available to.
  • Do not place “family descriptor” stickers on your family vehicles – perpetrators can use the decals to identify people in your household, sometimes even by age, gender, and names.
  • Do not engage with criminals.  If you find yourself a victim of a crime, do not chase down the suspects.  Get a description and a license plate and call the Lomita Sheriff’s Station at 9-1-1 or (310) 539-1661.

Join Neighborhood Watch

The Rancho Palos Verdes Neighborhood Watch program is a community-based, resident-run organization that exists to make neighborhoods safer through crime reduction and improving quality of life for individuals living in the same area. The RPV Neighborhood Watch runs separately from the City government, and uses its network to address issues related to crime, public safety, and quality of life.

 One of the primary goals of RPV NW is to work with neighbors to fight crime. They receive information directly from the Sheriff’s Department and information is disseminated through the NW system.  For more information, visit the Neighborhood Watch page.