Vienna-area residents can request a free home security assessment from the Fairfax County Police Department (FCPD) this fall.
The department published a burglary-prevention advisory on Tuesday, Oct. 13, timed to Crime Prevention Month. Officers from the Crime Prevention Unit will visit a property, identify weak spots and recommend fixes at no cost. Residents can request a visit through their district station at fairfaxcounty.gov/police.
The advisory also promotes Connect Fairfax County, a camera-registration program. Residents and business owners can log their security cameras through a portal the county says takes less than one minute. Registration does not give police access to live video. It lets investigators know a camera exists near a crime scene so they can request footage.
FCPD said the program can help detectives solve burglaries, locate missing people and support other investigations, even for residents who have never been crime victims.
Recent commercial burglary case
The advice arrives weeks after FCPD detectives arrested a man in connection with a series of commercial burglaries targeting medical offices across the county. The suspect was arrested Sept. 29. Police allege he targeted offices in the Mason, McLean and Fair Oaks police districts since May. Surveillance footage showed him dressed in professional attire while wearing gloves and a medical-style mask.
Tips for homeowners
FCPD recommends locking every door and window even while home. Add deadbolts and reinforced strike plates. Install motion-activated lights near doors. Trim bushes so intruders have nowhere to hide. Skip the hidden spare key in favor of a lockbox. Set timers on lamps and TVs to make a home look occupied. Lock garages and sheds so tools and ladders stay out of reach.
Tips for businesses
For commercial properties, FCPD recommends quality locks on all doors and windows, security film or bars on glass, and interior and exterior lights left on after hours. The department also advises rekeying locks when employees leave, locking safes and registers with no extra cash left overnight, and installing surveillance cameras with visible warning signs.
Business owners can schedule routine security reviews with the Crime Prevention Unit.
How to get involved
To report suspicious activity, call the FCPD non-emergency line at 703-691-2131. The department posts a weekly community events blog at fcpdnews.org listing Neighborhood Watch meetings, Citizens Advisory Committee sessions and special trainings. Residents can subscribe to their district station's newsletter at fairfaxcounty.gov/mailinglist under Public Safety.
