Preventing burglaries

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Preventing burglaries in Cerritos

Every week between three and four residential burglaries occur in Cerritos. Although we occasionally obtain some “street intelligence” about why a particular neighborhood or specific house was burglarized, and we study these crimes constantly, the fact is that we simply aren’t sure how or why most burglars target their victims. Some burglars probably drive through our neighborhoods looking for easy targets, while others may have acquaintances that currently or previously lived in Cerritos and are therefore familiar with the neighborhood or the residence.

One very good arrest of three professional burglars late last year disclosed that they simply drove around our city during the daytime when most people are at work, looking for nice homes in a quiet area. They would knock on the door hoping for no answer. If someone answered, they would claim to be looking for someone the homeowner, of course, had never heard of. Other recent arrests seem to indicate that there are groups of young adults from Orange County with members who either lived in Cerritos at one time or may still know people who do. In either event, they also know the city and possibly particular neighborhoods. They travel here looking for nice homes likely to contain valuables, and with so many quiet cul-de-sacs, they don’t have to look hard. We also suspect that a fair number of our burglaries involve friends of the victim’s teenage son or daughter and who have been inside the house on a previous occasion.

We do know that a significant percentage of our residential burglaries occur in open garages where people are home but are either in the house or in the back yard. We even had a burglary last Christmas where the homeowner was working in the back yard and thieves went through the garage and stole Christmas presents from under his tree. Residents should not be afraid to leave their garage doors open when working in their front and back yards, but it would be a good habit to keep the garage door closed as much as possible.

Finally, we know that in almost every residential burglary in Cerritos (that doesn’t involve just the garage), the point of entry is the side or rear of the residence, out of sight of any passersby. Often, a burglar breaks in at the side garage door behind the gate. Such doors are frequently unlocked, and usually not very strong. Another common point of entry is unlocked rear bedroom or bathroom windows. If the windows are locked, many burglars carry tools and will pry open sliding windows or even large sliding doors. The only way to stop these determined burglars is to use some type of pin locking device that prevents the burglar from removing the sliding door or window from its track. Interestingly, we almost never have even an attempted burglary at a residence with an alarm connected to an alarm company.

Once inside, almost all of our burglars go straight to the master bedroom. They know that many Cerritos residents keep large amounts of cash in their homes, and that they are likely to find jewelry or cash on or in bedroom dressers. If there is no alarm system and burglars feel they have plenty of time, the rest of the house will be ransacked, and easy to carry valuables will be stolen. Few televisions or VCRs are taken, but after jewelry and cash, laptops, cameras, cell phones and credit cards are a common loss. We strongly recommend that residents find hiding places for any type of valuable keepsakes that cannot be replaced, such as grandma’s wedding ring or other similar heirlooms. Although a rare occurrence, burglars have even been known to steal the special videos of a resident’s children as they grew up. You may want to keep such items at the bank in a safety deposit box. Laundry rooms, bookcases, attics, refrigerators/freezers and even garages can be used to make it more difficult to find your cash and priceless valuables.

So how do you “harden the target” and at least reduce the likelihood of becoming a victim of a residential burglary? Here are some suggestions:

Install a burglar alarm connected to an alarm company (we’ve not had a successful burglary in a home with a connected alarm in several years).
Consider owning a dog (burglars hate attention).
Visually inspect your rear yard. If a burglar slips undetected into your back yard, anticipate how he will try to break into your home, and “harden the target.”
When no one is at home, always keep your doors and windows locked.
Do not leave jewelry and cash where it is easy to find, especially in master bedrooms.
Hide valuable jewelry, cash, and keepsakes in a location unlikely to attract the interest of a burglar (laundry rooms, refrigerators, lower bathroom cabinets, garage or a safety deposit box)
Secure your side garage and/or service porch door (can a burglar easily kick it in?).
Install good deadbolt locks, and consider locking pins on sliding windows and doors.
Consider double pane windows (a proven burglar deterrent).
Engrave a personal identification number on electronic items (and other valuables if possible). Engravers are available for loan in our Community Safety Division office.
Take close-up, detailed photos of expensive jewelry.
Prepare and keep safe a list of valuable items and their serial or personal identification numbers.
Use a radio/light timing device when on vacation.
Have a neighbor pick up your mail and newspaper (or have it temporarily stopped), and check on your house periodically when you are on vacation.
Arrange for a vacation check by our Volunteers on Patrol unit by calling (562) 860-0044.

One final thought to keep in mind: most residential burglaries are never solved and stolen property is rarely recovered and returned to the owner. It is far more effective for you to take appropriate steps to reduce the likelihood your residence will be burglarized than to hope our Sheriff’s deputies will catch the burglar who chooses to break into your house and find your stolen valuables. Regularly arm yourself with good information, take appropriate steps to “harden the target” and join the Cerritos Crime Prevention Team at www.safercerritos.com. Remember, informed citizens are safer citizens!