Police: Protect Yourself from Warm-Weather Crimes

The warm weather brings its own brand of crimes and criminal opportunities, from theft to scams.

For example, if you and your children are going in and out of your shed or patio doors while the weather is nice, there's a greater chance you'll forget to lock either of them.

But don't forget. One slipup can mean an opportunity for burglary or worse, according to Baltimore County police.

Lock the doors and take a key with you while you work in the garden, according to a police statement. Some burglars look for people working in their yards and see that as an opportunity to enter a home.

Police offer more tips to protect yourself:

• Question anyone who wants to come in. If anyone in your neighborhood looks to perform home repairs, or asks to come in your home, ask to see identification and tell them you're going to call their company before they come in. If they're legitimate, they won't mind the wait. What they could be up to: One suspect will distract the homeowner while a second suspect will enter the home and search inside for valuables and cash.
• Watch out for people posing as repairmen, offering good deals and driving around in an unmarked van, offering bargain repair prices and asking for money up front. Professional companies don't work this way. What they could be up to: Shoddy materials and workmanship are used, and later, they intimidate the homeowner into paying even more money.
• Never step outside your house with someone you don’t know.
• Never allow a stranger to come into your house, even if that person seems to be in trouble, or says they're a friend of a neighbor.
• Be suspicious of utility workers who arrive unannounced. Remember that utilities call ahead before they send over workers or technicians.
• Call 911 right away with a description of a suspicious stranger in your neighborhood. Police need to know what is happening on your street right away.
• Lock your bicycle and engrave it with your name. "Owners can go to the local precinct and borrow an engraving tool," according to the statement. "Officers say using the ID numbers from a driver's license or Maryland ID card is the best way to mark your bike. Never use a Social Security number as an ID number."

Precinct 4/Pikesville is at 215 Milford Mill Rd., Pikesville.

View more tips from police.