Gardening Tip: Keep it Thorny to Keep Criminals Out

By Newark Police

Plants: The Good, the Bad and the Thorny.

Are you nervous about someone jumping over a fence or getting into an area of your yard that may be vulnerable? Shrubbery can be an excellent tool for enhancing home security.

You can make a potential access point less desirable by planting an attractive collection of thorny or sharp shrubs. A cactus rose bush or other beautiful, but "untouchable" plant can be just the deterrent to the person thinking about jumping over a fence.

Plants must be carefully selected and MAINTAINED as they can also hurt your prevention efforts when they aid a burglar by providing concealment around your home.

Shrubbery that blocks the view of your front door or windows can be an invitation to trouble. Be sure to keep your plants well-trimmed so that they do not block the view from the street of your doors and windows. Also, keeping shrubs, hedges and other plantings thinned and cut from the ground up well prevent someone from hiding from your view.

Keeping plants trimmed up at least 12 inches from the ground, no taller than an average person and thinned out will enhance your prevention efforts.

For more information about crime prevention contact:
Tim Jones,
Special Assistant
Community Engagement Division
Newark Police Dept.
(510) 578-4209
tim.jones@newark.org