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If one of Montgomery County's finest says your new gauzy curtains are terrible choice, that doesn't mean you've been reported to the style police. It could be that your designer drapes pose a safety hazard you never considered: transparency to criminals.

A free home security survey program is offered by the Montgomery County Police Department through which an officer will examine homes with a deviant eye, pointing out places where vulnerabilities exist that criminals may try to exploit. The survey examines a home from the inside and out, said Officer Dana Matthis, and addresses everything from deadbolts to window dressings.

When it comes to home safety, even the trimmings can be important, Matthis said.

"We're making sure that if you're in your home, somebody can't just be sitting outside watching (through the window)," Matthis said.

Home security surveys are conducted as a routine part of any burglary investigation to help victims assess what could be improved, but are also offered by appointment to those who want to shore up their residence before anything bad happens.

"It's an opportunity to have a fresh set of eyes," said Officer Denise Gill.

Officers examine lighting, locks and landscaping, as well as a number of things civilians might not think of. After all, even if they don't keep up on curtain fashion, police know what the new trends are in crime.

"We do the home security surveys based on crime patterns and things we have observed going on recently," Matthis said, which means though officers work from a worksheet, they adjust their analysis often.

One man who was recently a victim of a robbery said he asked the investigating officer to offer some safety tips ala the home security survey, though it was not as formal.

He said many of the ideas offered about motion detectors or door locks "are common sense," but sometimes it's necessary to have a reminder.

"When you live in a safe time period, then you don't think about it," he said. "But when things like this happen, certain things, you become more aware of the things that could be done to make yourself more safe."

The awareness is increasing, Matthis said, along with requests for home security survey appointments.

"Especially now since the elderly home invasions we've seen a dramatic increase in requests for it," she said.

Matthis said she makes a point of mentioning the service whenever she speaks at a public meeting.

"We encourage all residents to take advantage of this program, it's a great way to be proactive," Matthis said.

Rockville City Chief of Police Terry Treschuk said his department "is pretty much on the same page," as Montgomery County Police, and also offers free home security surveys.

In addition, Treschuk said Rockville City Police will conduct free Crime Protection Through Environmental Design (CPTED) surveys of businesses and shopping centers, evaluating the same lighting and landscaping considerations of a residence on a larger scale.

Officers will sometimes issue reports as long as 20 to 25 pages on a CPTED, Treschuk said, complete with aerial photographs and GPS surveys of the location to analyze entryways and public access points. Treschuk said about ten businesses have requested a CPTED in the past five or six years. Businesses have different security considerations to make, Treschuk said, including securing items in desks, making public entries secure, making sure doors close properly and lighting the outskirts of parking lots.

Appointments for home security surveys can be made by calling the Montgomery County Police non-emergency number, 301-279-8000. For Rockville City Police or a CPTED, contact Rockville City at 240-314-8910.