Reporting suspicious activity
If you want to report suspicious behavior, including suspicious people, vehicles, or activities, call the Pima County Sheriff's hotline at (520) 351-TIPS (351-8477). In the event of an emergency, call 911.

  • The MOST important thing YOU can do is CALL THE POLICE to report a CRIME or any SUSPICIOUS activity. You have to be the eyes of your neighborhood. And remember you can always remain a pair of anonymous eyes!
  • Make an effort to get an accurate description of your attacker: age, sex, race, complexion, body build, height, weight, type and color of clothing.
  • Call the police immediately, identify yourself and give your exact location. Do not leave the scene.
  • When you call 911 you will be asked several questions by the Call Taker. Be patient. While your are answering their questions they are keying in your information and dispatching the next available car. Any information you can provide to the dispatcher may help the officer en route to your call with apprehending the suspect.
  • Be ready to provide the following information:
               Your Name
               Address
               Phone Number
               What Happened? Describe the event in as brief manner as possible.
               When Did it Happen? Tell if the crime is in progress or when it occurred.
               Who Did It? Name or describe the suspect or vehicle, if there is one.
               Where Did They Go? Which way and how did they leave?
               IF POSSIBLE, WRITE IT DOWN!
  • Wait for the officer to arrive or to call you back. The time it takes for an officer to arrive will depend on many factors.  When the officer arrives she may ask you questions similar to those asked earlier. Please be patient so the officer can help you.
  • Let the HOA board know about the incident so we can alert the residents.  info@labuenavidahoa.org.
Take precautions
  • Exterior doors that have glass within reach of a door lock should have the glass replaced with a solid material. Otherwise, a burglar can break the glass and then reach inside to open the door from the inside. A double key lock (inside and outside) will create a dangerous condition in the event of a fire.
  • Place wooden dowels, pipes, or other substitutes in the tracks of all sliding glass doors and windows so as to limit movement. This will make it more difficult for a burglar to tilt the doors or windows and enter your home or place of business.
  • Place a highly visible security alarm sign in the front of your home or business to inform would - be criminals that the property is protected by a security alarm system. Consider placing a security alarm sign in the back yard as an added deterrent.
  • Realize that experienced burglars understand that the pedestrian door to the garage is often not highly secured and provides good cover for an entry. Consequently, it is a likely point of entry and must be secured appropriately.
  • Consider installing a Safe Room or Panic Room.
  • Always install peepholes in exterior doors so that the doors do not have to be opened in order to identify who is at the door. Never place complete reliance on a door chain as they are often easy to break.
  • Never leave notes for family members or service providers on your front door or other visible location. Burglars will know you are not home.
  • If someone comes to your front door asking to use the phone to call the police or anyone else, keep the door locked and make the call yourself.
  • For exterior doors, always use solid core or metal doors with heavy - duty deadbolt locks, with one - inch bolts.
  • When you are not home, make your home appear lived in by installing a series of timers that will automatically turn on and off lights and other electronic equipment such as televisions.
  • Know your neighbors.
  • Make sure you lock your doors and windows.
  • Are you locks "bump key" proof?
  • Check the lighting around your home to make sure it is working.  Repair any broken lights.
  • Remember that burglars will take advantage of an open door, window or sliding door.  Do not leave valuables visible from your windows so that those passing by can easily see them.
  • Do not open your door for anyone that you do not know.
  • "Put your car keys beside your bed at night. If you hear a noise outside your home or someone trying to get in your house, just press the panic button for your car. The alarm will be set off, and the horn will continue to sound until either you turn it off or the car battery dies.
  • Lock your doors and windows when leaving your residence. Most residential burglaries occur during the daytime.
  • Know who is at your door before opening it. Screen doors and chain locks provide false security.
  • Obtain identification. If they show you an ID for a service company (i.e. Cable, phone, etc.) call their employer and verify who they are and why they are at your door. Consider installing peepholes in all entryway doors.
  • Mark your property with a unique identification number, that way it can be traced ONLY to you if it is stolen.
Burglary Prevention Tips
  • Lock all outside doors and windows before you leave the house or go to bed. Even if it is for a short time, lock your doors.
  • Leave lights on when you go out. If you are going to be away for a length of time, connect some lamps to automatic timers to turn them on in the evening and off during the day.
  • Keep your garage door closed and locked.
  • Don't allow daily deliveries of mail, newspapers or flyers build up while you are away. Arrange with the Post Office to hold your mail, or arrange for a friend or neighbor to take them regularly.
  • Check your locks on doors and windows and replace them with secure devices as necessary.
  • Pushbutton locks on doorknobs are easy for burglars to open. Install deadbolt locks on all your outside doors.
  • Windows may need better locks. Check with a locksmith or hardware store for alternatives.
Other precautions you should take:
  • Never leave keys under doormats, flowerpots, mailboxes or other "secret" hiding places -- burglars know where to look for hidden keys.
  • Keep a detailed inventory of your valuable possessions, including a description of the items, date of purchase and original value, and serial numbers, and keep a copy in a safe place away from home -- this is a good precaution in case of fires or other disasters. Make a photographic or video record of valuable objects, heirlooms and antiques. Your insurance company can provide assistance in making and keeping your inventory.
  • Create a backup of important computer files and store them in a secure location, or even better store backup at work, a trusted friend or family member, or internet file "cloud" storage.
  • Trim your shrubbery around your home to reduce cover for burglars.
  • Plant cacti or similar plants around windows to deter access
  • Light up your residence, lock your doors at all times, and call the Pima County Sheriff when you see something suspicious.
  • Consider installing a burglar alarm system.
Alarms
  • Prior to installing home-security devices - think fire safety first. Would the device prevent you from getting out of your home? Do you have pet doors? They provide entry for pets, but they may also provide entry for criminals.
  •  Privacy fences give you privacy, but they also give the criminal concealment from outside view. Secure your garage door, even when you are at home. Burglaries and thefts take minutes or even seconds to commit.
  • DON'T open your door until you know who is there. When you are not home, leave lamps on timers and consider leaving a radio or television on.
  • Secure your keys and keep them out of view. NEVER place identification tags on your key rings. Treat your garage door opener like your keys.
  • NEVER leave your garage door opener inside a vehicle which is parked outside. Your vehicle registration and your garage open just may give the thief instant access to your home
Vacation
  • When leaving town, have a trusted friend or neighbor take care of your home. NEVER cancel general deliveries such as mail, milk, newspapers and other services when leaving town or going on vacation. But don't let those newspaper deliveries pile up either.
  • If you will be away for an extended period arrange to have a neighbor cut your lawn. If you can, also have them move your car in the driveway so it appears you are still coming and going as usual.
  • And NEVER leave your porch light on ONLY when you go on vacation. This tells a thief come on in...we are on vacation!
Vehicle Theft Prevention:
  • Lock your vehicle when parked.
  • Remove any valuable items and do not use your car for storage.
  • Do not lend your keys to someone else.  Consider adding an anti-theft device to your vehicle.  Check with any automotive type store to see what is available.
  • Be on the lookout for vehicles that look unattended or abandoned in your neighborhood and report them to the police department.
  • Do not leave your car running while you check your mailbox or do other "quick" things requiring you to leave your car unattended.