A “You Tube” video is making its way around the Internet and Sheriff David B. Shoar is warning St. Johns County residents in the local Historic City News reporting area of the risk — as well as a simple step you can take to stop would-be-burglars in their tracks.
The video shows a man opening a standard overhead garage door using a wooden wedge, similar to an ordinary doorstop, and a straightened clothes hanger — neither of which, Shoar said, would necessarily be suspicious; if a person were seen to have them in their possession.
You can watch the video at http://youtu.be/CMz1tXBVT1s
“The criminal uses the wedge to establish an opening between the door and the doorjamb,” Shoar explained. “Then they insert the hooked end of the coat hanger which is used to lasso the manual release cord and trip the latch in just six seconds.”
The method shown in the video, which Shoar admits is shocking in its directness and simplicity, can be easily defeated if you take two simple, precautionary steps.
“If you remove the cord, it will force the burglar to catch the small latch-clip on the track,” Shoar said. “Although that step, alone, would add protection; you can make it more secure by using a simple, plastic wire tie to secure the release latch — rendering the manual release latch-clip inoperable.”
The St. Johns County Sheriff’s Office and St. Augustine Police Department have crime prevention officers who may have additional suggestions that would make your home more secure. Contact either agency for additional information.