Portola Valley, CA
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Crime Prevention FAQ
Crime Prevention FAQ
Who provides law enforcement for the Town of Portola Valley?
The Town of Portola Valley contracts with San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office (SMC SO) for law enforcement. Two patrols covering the Town of Portola Valley and the Town of Woodside are on duty 24/7 , and are supported by an additional shared deputy. Additional resources are available through the Sheriff’s Office as needed. In the event of an incident, SMC SO will deploy necessary resources in order to keep the community safe.
What is the fastest way to contact the Sheriff in an emergency? Landline or cell phone?
While it used to be that all cellphone calls went to the California Highway Patrol (CHP) Dispatch Center rather than local police dispatch, which created some delay with local law enforcement services, today all 911 cellphone calls from your residence go to local San Mateo County Dispatch. Landline phone calls to 911 go directly to local SMC Dispatch, which has immediate access to your street address.
However, if you are on the freeway, your cellphone calls may be routed through CHP, depending on which cell tower is used. Residents who live near the freeway may still have their calls routed through the CHP, and so in some cases may be better using a landline. To check, call the Sheriff's Office non- emergency phone number at 650-363-4911, ext. 1.
How much crime is there in Portola Valley?
Portola Valley is a safe community. Starting with data from 2010 onwards, there have been an average of between 7 and 33 residential burglaries and vehicle burglaries a year. In 2016, there were two armed home invasion robberies, which are not common. As a result, the Town took action to further strengthen its crime prevention program with additional public safety education, the establishment of Neighborhood Watch teams, and the installation of Automated License Plate Readers (ALPRs) at Town entrances among other tactics.
What can residents do to protect their home?
Steps that may help deter burglars include: closed and locked doors and windows, visible security systems/cameras and signs, a barking dog, audible voices (consider leaving a TV or radio on), lights (on timers or motion-sensor per Town Design Guidelines), car(s) in the driveway, and closed garage doors. Download the Residential Security Checklist. See the Town Safety page for more information.
Most importantly, a nearby alert neighbor who has their eyes and ears open for suspicious behavior and noises and unfamiliar people and vehicles. SMC SO relies on residents to be their extra “eyes and ears” to keep the community safe and if you “see something, say something” by promptly calling 911.
What is the one thing homeowners can do to avoid being burglarized?
Burglars do not want to be seen. Along with video surveillance, an alarm system, and tactics noted above, homeowners should know their neighbors so they can report suspicious people around the area to police. If you are going out of town for a trip, notify immediate neighbors and submit a “Vacation House Checks” with the Sheriff’s Office here.
What do burglars tend to be after?
Small portable items of value, such as, jewelry, small electronics (laptop or tablet computers), cash, credit cards, collectibles and guns. Burglars want to get out quickly, without interacting with residents, with what they can carry.
Where do burglars look for valuables?
Most burglars start by searching the master bedroom and office areas, then move through the rest of the house, sweeping through closets and cabinets where items may be stored. While they are typically in and out in three to four minutes, a longer incident may involve searching through book shelves, freezers, and crawl spaces. SMC SO recommends securing items of value in a locked safe, secured to a wall and hidden from view. If you have large amounts of cash, it is always best to deposit the funds at a financial institution.
How do burglars pick a home?
Burglars often travel in crews of two or more individuals. In some cases, burglars have been inside the home before. Burglaries typically take place between 9 am and 3 pm during the work week when residents are likely to be out of the house at work or running errands. They look for open windows, uncollected packages or mail, no cars in the driveway, or anything else that indicates no one is home.
One tactic used by burglars is to knock on the door to see if anyone is home. If the resident answers, they may ask for directions or act confused.
Burglars often study or “case” homes before they attempt to break in. Homes are easier targets if they have large shrubs near the house, which are good as hiding places, as well as driveways where burglars cannot be seen but can escape quickly. Burglars will look for homes that have no cameras or indications of an alarm.
People who are known to have valuables in their homes, either by their occupation – perhaps as a jeweler or antique dealer – or reputation, may also be at higher risk of being targeted.
How do burglars break in?
Most home burglaries occur at the side or rear of the home through open or unlocked doors or windows or by breaking glass panes for access. Burglars are also known to kick open side doors and back doors.
What should I do if I see something suspicious?
The SMC SO recommends that if it seems suspicious, residents should immediately lock the door and call 911 with a description of the person(s), vehicle, and direction of travel. You are NEVER a bother to the 911 operator when reporting suspicious activity.