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Police discuss auto burglary prevention tips
By BRENDA EVANS
With an increase in local auto burglary crimes, police are taking proactive steps to decrease and even prevent what they refer to as “an easily preventable crime.”
With a 4.5 percent increase in auto burglary crime activity since August 2007, the Pasadena Police Department Auto Theft Division, with grants from the Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority, is taking proactive steps to inform and warn citizens in an ongoing effort to help them decrease their chances of becoming a target of auto burglary and theft.
“(People can become victims of auto burglaries at ) motels, restaurants, exercise places, shopping centers, churches, parks,” said Auto Theft Division Detective D. Speights. “Anywhere you provide the opportunity, you are subject to being a victim.”
Auto Theft Division Detective B. Marshall said there is no way a citizen can immunize themselves against crimes.
“However, we can tell you things that will help keep you from becoming a criminal target,” he said.
“Hide your things, take your keys and lock your doors,” said Sgt. J. Anderson, reiterating what detectives discussed in an earlier report. “That’s the one most important thing that citizens can do to prevent auto burglaries.”
The second most important thing Anderson suggests, is to be keenly aware of one’s surroundings.
“You should always be aware of your surroundings,” he said. “When you go somewhere, take note of your surroundings. Is the lighting poor? Am I in public view? Am I off the beaten path, so to speak.”
Anderson made a suggestion that he said any one person could take on as a public service for all.
“If you see that the lighting is poor at a particular business, go inside and talk to the management,” he said. “Say, ‘hey, are you guys going to do anything about the lights? It’s scary out there. We need some lights, we need some security cameras.’”
Businesses can thus accommodate their customers and increase their business as well as improving the overall safety of the business community, said Anderson.
“They can improve lighting, they can get security cameras,” he said. “Businesses can then advertise that their premises are under video camera surveillance and that they have great lighting for their customers.”
Most importantly, said Anderson, to prevent all different sorts of crime, residents should always go with their gut feelings.
“If your surroundings don’t feel right, they probably aren’t and you should just leave,” he said. “But if you decide to stay, park in a well lit place that is clearly in public view, keep your windows up, keep the doors locked and keep your valuables out of sight.”
With a 4.5 percent increase in auto burglary crime activity since August 2007, the Pasadena Police Department Auto Theft Division, with grants from the Auto Burglary and Theft Prevention Authority, is taking proactive steps to inform and warn citizens in an ongoing effort to help them decrease their chances of becoming a target of auto burglary and theft.
“(People can become victims of auto burglaries at ) motels, restaurants, exercise places, shopping centers, churches, parks,” said Auto Theft Division Detective D. Speights. “Anywhere you provide the opportunity, you are subject to being a victim.”
Auto Theft Division Detective B. Marshall said there is no way a citizen can immunize themselves against crimes.
“However, we can tell you things that will help keep you from becoming a criminal target,” he said.
“Hide your things, take your keys and lock your doors,” said Sgt. J. Anderson, reiterating what detectives discussed in an earlier report. “That’s the one most important thing that citizens can do to prevent auto burglaries.”
The second most important thing Anderson suggests, is to be keenly aware of one’s surroundings.
“You should always be aware of your surroundings,” he said. “When you go somewhere, take note of your surroundings. Is the lighting poor? Am I in public view? Am I off the beaten path, so to speak.”
Anderson made a suggestion that he said any one person could take on as a public service for all.
“If you see that the lighting is poor at a particular business, go inside and talk to the management,” he said. “Say, ‘hey, are you guys going to do anything about the lights? It’s scary out there. We need some lights, we need some security cameras.’”
Businesses can thus accommodate their customers and increase their business as well as improving the overall safety of the business community, said Anderson.
“They can improve lighting, they can get security cameras,” he said. “Businesses can then advertise that their premises are under video camera surveillance and that they have great lighting for their customers.”
Most importantly, said Anderson, to prevent all different sorts of crime, residents should always go with their gut feelings.
“If your surroundings don’t feel right, they probably aren’t and you should just leave,” he said. “But if you decide to stay, park in a well lit place that is clearly in public view, keep your windows up, keep the doors locked and keep your valuables out of sight.”
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