Cottage Watch: Protecting Your Cottage and Property

Three Mile Lake Community Club (TMLCC)

December 11, 2004

The months of November through April are ‘off-months’ for many cottagers. This naturally means that many cottages go un-checked for long periods of time. Unfortunately, we did have two reported cases of cottage break-ins during the month of November. Thank you to the local Three Mile Lake residents who noticed that something was amiss and reported the incidents to both the O.P.P. and the owners. As you might expect, however, the thieves were long gone and the damage was done.

The TMLCC has been in contact with the Burk’s Falls O.P.P. to see if there is anything more we can do to avoid these situations. Officers at the detachment have assured us that they will make more regular drive-bys of the area surrounding the lake to create more of a presence. However, it is impossible for them to provide surveillance beyond this. The most effective approach to deterring thieves is an active neighbourhood watch or cottage watch.

Fortunately, the permanent residents and all-season cottagers at Three Mile Lake are diligent in keeping an eye out for unusual activity. There are some tips for all cottagers, however, which may further deter thieves and partiers from stealing or damaging your property:

1. If possible, arrange with someone locally to plow your driveway after every heavy snowstorm. Thieves tend to watch places for a few days before they make a move…if there is activity at a property, they will see a greater risk and move on.

2. Whether you are up all year long or not, do not leave liquor at the cottage. Many break-ins are simply partiers looking for a place to crash (and trash).

3. Don’t leave anything of obvious value in plain site.

4. Driveway gates may keep cars out, but they also provide an obvious signal that no one is at your property. Consider a motion light part way up the driveway instead, which could signal to your neighbours that someone has pulled in your driveway.

5. Install outside light timers, perhaps a spotlight which comes on at dusk and remains on for a few hours. Again, this gives the appearance of activity.

6. Alarm systems and alarm monitoring are relatively inexpensive, and will make a thief think twice. It won’t necessarily catch the thief in the act, but it will certainly ensure that you are aware of a problem much sooner.

7. Ask someone close by who comes up year-round to occasionally check your property. At least if something has happened, you can correct break-in damage before weather (and critter) damage makes it worse.

We have asked the O.P.P. to come to our annual general meeting in the summer to answer questions and provide further tips. In the meantime, we will ensure that our Cottage Watch program remains active and our community is on the look-out for potential problems. If you notice anything unusual at any of the properties on Three Mile Lake, please be sure to report it to the O.P.P. and to the TMLCC (3milelake@cogeco.ca) .