For those of us tuned into the Idylwood Community Exchange online, it is clear that an increase in burglaries, thefts, and burglaries of motor vehicles have been been occurring over the last few weeks.
The main focus of burglaries has been jewelry, rifles, and shotguns. Burglaries have taken place during daytime when homeowners are away at work or running errands.
What can you do to prevent burglaries of your home and neighbors’ homes? Keep your doors and windows closed and locked. Lock up your jewelry and firearms. Get a small safe for these items and bolt it securely into the floor or wall. Turn on your alarm system and keep your pets outside so that you can use the motion detectors on your alarm when you are out. Perhaps pets can be confined to one room (without the valuables in it) where the motion detector can be disarmed. Keep the outside of your home well lit at night. Get to know your neighbors and their habits.
The main focus of burglaries of motor vehicles (BMVs) has been laptops, iPads, purses, smart phones, briefcases and even just the charging cables for the preceding electronic items. In Idylwood, BMVs typically happen at night.
What can you do to prevent burglaries of motor vehicles? Take all items in the car with you, even things you don’t think are valuable, or stow them away where they cannot be seen, preferably the trunk. Park your car in your garage, or under your carport, or in your driveway as close to your house as you can. Lock the car, lock the gate, lock the garage door. Improve the lighting in your carport and driveway.
The main focus of thefts has been lawn equipment, tools, machinery, bicycles. This activity generally happens during the day.
What can you do to prevent theft? Close and lock your garage door. Put your stuff in the garage or in the house and close and lock them. Close and lock your gate. If you can’t get your stuff in the garage, then buy a secure shed and keep it locked. Keep your property out of sight.
What do you do if you come home to find your house has been burglarized or things don’t look or feel right? Get out of the house. Go to a neighbor’s house, and call 9-1-1 from there. Wait for law enforcement to arrive and walk through your home to be sure the bad guys are gone and not hiding in the closet or attic. Let the police do their job to help secure your home. It requires training that you do not have.
Once again if you see anything suspicious, call BOTH Houston Police at 713-884-3131 option 0 and Pct 6 Constables at 713-923-9156. These agencies do not share the same information system, and both need to know what is going on in order to protect us. Call 9-1-1 if you see a crime in progress. Be responsible, look out for your neighbor, and call in the professionals. Your job is to be the eyes and ears of those who protect us, report anything unusual, and do nothing more.
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