What to Do After a Break-In: NYC Security Recovery Checklist

If your NYC apartment or home has been broken into, take these steps immediately: do not enter if you suspect the intruder is still inside -- call 911 from outside. Once police clear the scene, document all damage with photos before touching anything, then call a licensed locksmith to change or rekey every exterior lock the same day. File a police report (you need the case number for insurance), contact your renters or homeowners insurance within 48 hours, and secure any compromised entry points. Call (718) 412-1332 for emergency lock changes after a break-in, available 24/7 across all NYC boroughs.

Step 1: Ensure Your Safety First

When you discover signs of a break-in -- a forced door, broken window, items out of place -- your first priority is personal safety, not property.

• Do not enter if the door is ajar or you hear sounds inside. The intruder may still be present. Back away and call 911 from outside the apartment or from a neighbor's unit
• If you are already inside and realize something is wrong, leave immediately through the nearest exit. Do not confront anyone. Get to a safe location and call 911
• Wait for police to clear the scene before re-entering. NYPD officers will sweep the apartment and confirm it is safe
• In apartment buildings, alert your building super or management after calling police. They may need to secure common-area doors or check security cameras

Step 2: Document Everything Before Touching Anything

Once police have cleared the apartment, resist the urge to clean up or put things back. Documentation is critical for the police investigation and your insurance claim.

1. Photograph all damage -- broken locks, forced doors, shattered windows, pry marks, damaged frames. Photograph from multiple angles and include close-ups of tool marks
2. Photograph the scene -- overturned drawers, ransacked closets, areas where items were removed. These wide-angle shots establish the scope of the intrusion
3. Do not touch surfaces the intruder may have contacted -- door handles, window frames, drawers, light switches. Fingerprints and DNA evidence can help investigators
4. Note the time you discovered the break-in and when you last know the apartment was secure. This helps police establish a timeframe
5. Check for what is missing -- walk through each room mentally cataloging valuable items. Electronics, jewelry, cash, documents, and small high-value items are the most common targets. Write a preliminary list

Step 3: File the Police Report

A police report is legally and practically essential. Without it, you cannot file an insurance claim, and investigators cannot track patterns in your neighborhood.

• In-person report -- responding officers will take your statement and create a report at the scene. Request the complaint number (case number) before they leave. You need this for insurance
• Online report -- for discovered-after-the-fact break-ins where no one is in danger, you can file through the NYPD online reporting system
• Follow up -- you can check the status of your case by calling your local precinct with the complaint number. If you find additional stolen items later, call the precinct to add them to the report

Step 4: Secure the Entry Point Immediately

This is the most urgent practical step. You cannot leave your home unsecured -- even for one night. A licensed emergency locksmith can secure your apartment within hours of the break-in.

What a Locksmith Does After a Break-In

• Assess all entry points -- not just the breached door. Check every exterior lock, window latch, and sliding door for signs of tampering or attempted entry
• Replace damaged locks -- if the lock was forced, drilled, or bumped, the internal mechanism is likely compromised even if it still turns. Replace it entirely
• Rekey undamaged locks -- if the intruder entered through a window and locks are intact, rekeying changes the internal pins so existing keys no longer work. This is faster and cheaper than full replacement
• Repair or reinforce the door frame -- many break-ins damage the door frame where the deadbolt enters (the strike plate area). A locksmith can install a reinforced strike plate with 3-inch screws that anchor into the wall stud, not just the door jamb
• Recommend upgrades -- based on how the intruder got in, a locksmith can suggest high-security locks, restricted keyway systems, or supplemental hardware like door reinforcement kits, security bars for sliding doors, or window locks

Emergency Lock Change Costs After a Break-In

Keep the locksmith receipt. Most insurance policies cover emergency locksmith services after a documented break-in.

Step 5: File Your Insurance Claim

Contact your insurance company within 24 to 48 hours of the break-in. Have the following information ready:

• Police report complaint number (required by virtually all insurers)
• Photos of damage -- entry point, locks, door/window damage, ransacked areas
• Itemized list of stolen property -- include make, model, serial numbers (if available), approximate purchase date, and estimated replacement cost
• Receipts for emergency repairs -- locksmith invoice, temporary door repair, window boarding
• Receipts for stolen items -- if you have original purchase receipts, bank/credit card statements, or photos of the items, gather these

Review your policy's deductible before filing. If total losses are close to or below the deductible amount, filing a claim may not provide net financial benefit and could affect your premiums.

Step 6: Prevent a Repeat Break-In

Burglars target the same address again roughly 25 to 50 percent of the time, especially within the first 6 weeks. The intruder now knows your apartment layout, your valuables, and your security weaknesses. Upgrade beyond just replacing what was broken.

Security Upgrades to Consider

NYC-Specific Security Considerations

• Fire escape windows -- NYC fire escape windows are a common entry point. Install window guards or security gates that comply with fire code (must open from inside without a key)
• Building lobby security -- if the intruder entered through the lobby, work with your building management to improve buzzer/intercom security, camera coverage, and lobby lock quality
• Neighborhood watch -- introduce yourself to neighbors if you have not already. Neighbors who recognize each other are more likely to notice and report suspicious activity. Many NYC neighborhoods have active community watch groups on social media
• Mailbox security -- if your mail was stolen along with keys, a thief now has your address confirmed along with potentially useful personal information. Consider a USPS informed delivery account to track incoming mail and a mailbox lock upgrade

Renter vs. Owner Responsibilities After a Break-In

Who pays for what depends on whether you rent or own:

In NYC, if your landlord refuses to repair a break-in damaged door or lock, you can contact 311 to file an HPD complaint. Landlords are legally required to maintain secure entry points under the NYC Housing Maintenance Code.

Complete Post-Break-In Checklist

1. Ensure personal safety -- do not enter if intruder may be present. Call 911
2. Wait for police to clear the apartment
3. Photograph all damage and the scene before touching anything
4. Get the police complaint number
5. Alert building management (apartment buildings)
6. Call a licensed locksmith to change/rekey all locks same day -- (718) 412-1332
7. Secure any other compromised entry points (windows, sliding doors)
8. Make an itemized list of stolen property
9. Contact insurance within 24 to 48 hours with report number and photos
10. If keys were stolen, cancel any associated access (building, car, office, mailbox)
11. Consider security upgrades -- high-security locks, cameras, sensors
12. Notify neighbors and community watch groups
13. Follow up with NYPD on case status after 1 to 2 weeks

Frequently Asked Questions