WEST SEATTLE, Washington, August 25, 2009 (WSFB) – Local authorities released an alert to the general West Seattle Metropolitan area today advising residents to be very cautious and to protect their back door avenues of entry.

With the down economy came an increase in back door activity. As local residents struggled to make ends meet, they often found their back doors exposed to unsolicited and sometimes illicit entry.

Here are some steps you can take to protect your back door:

• Secure your back door with a piece of wood or a handle from a garden tool.
• Wedge objects in your back door that prohibit or inhibit entry.
• Install a motion detector near your back door with a renewable (”green”) light bulb.
• Learn to say “no” when someone tries to enter your back door.
• Explore the area around your back door and look for possible alternative angles of entry then secure them using one or more of the methods described above.

Remember: Only YOU can prevent entry to your back door!