The 5 least safe places to live in your building .. and how to stay safer everywhere

By Marjorie Cohen | July 17, 2012 - 8:48AM

When BrickUnderground set out to answer the question “What are the safest and least safe places to live in a building?” we went directly to our expert on security matters, Harry J. Houck, President of Houck Consulting, Inc and a retired NYPD detective.

According to Houck, because of their easy access (and in some cases their hidden nature), these are probably the least safe places to live in a building:

A first-floor apartment that can be accessed from the lobby
An apartment with a window within 18-feet of the ground
An apartment with a fire escape
An apartment below ground level
An apartment facing the back of the building (because it's out of plain sight)

But, according to Houck, the most important point to keep in mind is that no matter where you choose, preventing burglaries is in many cases “up to you.”

The most common mistakes
As surprising as it may seem, most burglars get into an apartment through an unlocked front door or an unlocked window, Houck says. They don't pick locks.

Many people just leave their doors open. They say “ I've got a doorman—why do I need to lock my door?”

That's a foolish assumption. Houck says that if you have a dead-bolt lock that's actually locked, there's a slim to none chance that you'll be burglarized.

It's tempting to leave windows open when it's warm but if you are on the first floor, or you have a fire escape at your window, don't do it. Burglars don't break windows—it makes too much noise—they just look for open or unlocked windows.

If you do have a fire escape, be sure to have an FDNY-approved gate on it—the Department posts a list of recommended models on its website.

Another important piece of advice is to keep careful control of your keys. Avoid giving your keys to too many people—the dog walker, the plant waterer, etc. Don't leave your keys on the table when someone comes in to do work in the apartment.

And, when someone comes in to paint, do plumbing, clean the carpets—anything at all—don't let him or her wander around the apartment. There are people who will pay people like this for useful information on where you keep your money, your jewelry, your silverware. And everyone should have a safe. You can get an inexpensive one for $200.

People who have to be away from their apartment for a long time might want to consider the equivalent of a “nanny cam” that lets you see what’s going on in all rooms via your computer wherever you are in the world.

How the NYPD can help
Although it is not widely publicized, the NYPD offers a free crime prevention service to all NYC apartment dwellers, owners or renters. A trained Crime Prevention officer from your local precinct will come to your home, conduct a security survey and make recommendations for any improvements that he/she thinks are necessary.

All you have to do is to call your Precinct's Crime Prevention Office and schedule a date. If you don't know what precinct you live in, the NYPD website includes a Precinct Finder feature.

One suggestion the Crime Prevention officer will make is to register your portable valuables—computers, printers, iPads,etc.--with NYPD's Operation Identification project.

The PD will lend you an engraving tool so that you can etch a serial number onto your valuables. That number will be registered with the PD, making the property traceable. You will be given decals for the window that say that your property is registered, a deterrent to any would-be burglars.

Just in case: Some insurance advice
Renters or owners insurance is a good way to avoid a problem later on. Jeff Schneider, of Gotham Brokerage, explains that there are strict limitations on the type of property that is covered under various policies read your policy closely.

Often clothing, furniture, art work and electronic devices are covered in a basic policy but jewelry, furs and silverware are separate categories requiring additional coverage. If you have a home office with expensive equipment, that too, may require a separate policy.

To decide how much insurance you need, take an inventory of what you have. Don't underestimate the value of your clothing. Schneider says many people make that mistake and realize it only when it comes time to replace it.

He suggests keeping a record of all significant purchases so that if there is a loss you can document it, speeding up the reimbursement process. Take photos of what you have, and save credit card statements when you buy something new.

When purchasing a policy determine whether you want to have one that pays the actual cash value of replacing what you had or the depreciated value. The former will be about 20 percent more expensive.

A basic policy with $15,000 to $20,000 of coverage will cost from $100-$150 per year. To find the best agent for you, Schneider recommends getting a reference from a friend, someone who has had a claim handled satisfactorily.

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Marjorie Cohen

Contributing writer

Marjorie Cohen is a New York City-based freelance journalist, editor and author of over seven non-fiction books. Her real estate reporting has appeared in amNewYork, Investopedia, and The West Side Rag. Since moving to New York five decades ago for graduate school at the Teachers College of Columbia University, Marjorie has lived on the Upper West Side, with a brief detour to West 15th Street when she got six months free rent in a new building.

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