When I meet with LMPD officers to discuss our concerns in District 7 I often hear them giving the same tips, which could decrease crime if everyone followed them. For vehicles, the best advice is to always lock doors and leave nothing of value visible through the windows.

Here are some other tips from LMPD for your home security:

1. Lock all doors and windows

It’s extremely important to make sure that your doors and windows are shut and locked, both when you’re inside your home and when you’re away. This is the first thing that potential burglars check when trying to break into homes, and something as simple as locking the door could possibly prevent a home invasion. As such, you’ll want to make sure you remind your family members to lock the door behind them every time they leave and come back inside the house.

2. Don’t leave a spare key

With the craziness of the holiday season combined with your kids having extracurricular activities and hectic-after school schedules, many parents think it’s a good idea to leave a spare key under a mat or rock near a door. Contrary to belief, this is something that should be avoided at all costs, as these are common areas for burglars to look at for a way to get inside your home. Instead, make sure your children or family members keep a spare key on them, or have them wait at a neighbor’s house until you or someone else is home to let them in.

3. Remove valuable items from plain sight

This means laptops, jewelry, home entertainment systems, holiday gifts or anything that would entice a burglar to break into your home. If you personally can see it from the street or by merely glancing through a window, so can burglars. Make sure you close the curtains when you aren’t home, and if you plan to be gone for an extended period of time, consider moving valuables (including holiday gifts) into a safe or locked away somewhere else in your home that cannot be easily seen through windows, such as a closet.

4. Make it look like someone is home

You can help ward off would-be burglars by simply giving the illusion that someone is always home. While you’re away at work or school, you can set a timer for lights and other appliances to switch on and off periodically. Most home security systems have home automation systems that allow you to control these types of things remotely from your smartphone or tablet, which is great if your timers malfunction or you forget to set them. And if you’re able to, have a trusted friend or neighbor house sit or check in on your home if you’re away on vacation or visiting relatives for the holidays. Be sure to also ask the friend or neighbor to take in your mail, as that is usually a dead giveaway that someone isn’t home. If you don’t plan to have someone watch your home, make sure you put a temporary stop on your mail.

5. Check your alarm system regularly

Far too often, those with home security systems get too comfortable and feel so secure that they forget to do regular upkeep of these systems. You’ll want to make test your alarm keypad and ensure your door and window sensors are fully functioning and have batteries that are working. After all, what good is your home security system if it’s not even active? Also, make sure you set the alarm while you’re away from home, as a home security system isn’t effective if it’s not set.

Metro Public Works will provide curbside pickup of Christmas Trees within the Urban Services District (the old City of Louisville boundaries) after the holiday. Beginning Saturday, December 26, residents with City curbside yard waste pickup may set their Christmas trees and greenery out on their regular collection day. Trees must not be in plastic bags.

Drop-off sites will also be available for all Louisville/Jefferson County residents at three locations. Two of the three drop-off sites will also instantly recycle trees in to mulch that will be offered back to citizens for home use.

Those wishing to receive mulch must bring an appropriate container in which to carry it. This mulch performs particularly well for acid-loving plants such as azaleas and rhododendrons. Trees picked up from curbside will also be recycled but not offered as mulch. All lights and ornaments should be removed from trees before they are set out or dropped off.

Residents normally serviced by private waste haulers should check with those companies to see whether and when tree pickup is available.

Christmas tree vendors may recycle their unsold trees on Saturday, December 26 ONLY, and only at the Hubbard’s Lane site.

DROP OFF LOCATIONS:
East District Recycling Center, 595 N. Hubbards Lane (Bring containers to take home fresh mulch.)
Southwest Government Center, 7219 Dixie Highway (Bring containers to take home fresh mulch.)
Waste Reduction Center - 636 Meriwether Avenue (Tree drop-off only. Mulch is not available at this location.)

DATES: December 26, 29, 30 and 31; January 2

 TIME: 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

Let’s keep District 7's sidewalks accessible and walkable for all of our citizens when winter weather returns!

A reminder message from Metro Public Works:

Last winter we had lots of inquiries about who is responsible for clearing snow from the city’s sidewalks. Snow covered sidewalks have led many people to choose walking in roadways over trudging through the white stuff on the sidewalk. The answer is that property owners and tenants must perform this function.

Below is the Louisville Metro Ordinance that spells out the responsibility of property owners for clearing sidewalks. District 7 is fortunate to be well represented by Suburban Cities who provide snow removal for their citizens. These suburban cities do an excellent job of clearing roadways and sidewalks in a timely manor making District accessible for all of our citizens. If you should see an uncleared sidewalk this winter please contact our office at (502) 574-1107.

§ 97.113 SNOW REMOVAL (A) It shall be the duty of all persons and corporations owning or occupying property abutting a public street in Louisville Metro to remove within 24 hours thereafter such snow as may fall on the sidewalks in front of their property. Where the property is unimproved or unoccupied this duty shall devolve on the owner or the agent for the property. Where property is occupied by others than owners thereof, this duty shall devolve on the owner or the tenants and either may be proceeded against for the violation.

The ordinance goes on to state that “Any responsible party failing to comply…shall be subject to the following fines: not less than $25, nor more than $100.” We also urge that snow removed from the sidewalk be placed on private property such as lawns, and not in the street where it would slow or reverse progress in keeping the streets open.