Seal Beach Police officials are asking residents to keep their doors and windows locked. The advice follows four residential burglaries in the city’s Hill area in May. In anticipation of increased bike thefts during the summer season, the police are also advising bike owners to document their ownership of the bikes and keep the bikes locked up when not in use.
“As summer approaches we anticipate an increase in residences with open windows and doors, and an increase in bicycle usage. It’s a good time to think about how the seasons may expose us to criminal activity. Open garage doors allow prying eyes into your garage to assess your valuables. Be mindful of what you might be exposing if you decide to leave your garage door open,” said Sgt. Ron La Velle, public information officer for the Seal Beach Police Department.
“Recently, ‘The Hill’ area has experienced some burglaries that occurred between 6:30 a.m. and 11 p.m. The entry has most commonly been committed by force to the patio door,” La Velle said. “Once inside, the suspect(s) removes small valuables, then flees.”
He said there were four burglaries on the Hill between May 2 and May 24, 2013.
Police records show there were 106 known residential and business burglaries in Seal Beach in 2012.
La Velle offered a simple suggestion for lowering the risk of a burglary.
“Keep your gates, doors and windows locked. Be mindful of people and things that seem out of sorts. Call the police if you see suspicious activity,” he said.
“If you are home and you encounter an intruder, I would recommend the run and hide strategy,” he said.
“If you can safely leave, do it. Call 911 and wait. If you can’t get out, then hide inside your home. Call 911 as quickly as possible. If confronted be cooperative. Call 911 as quickly as you can,” La Velle said.
The police sergeant offered similar advice for homeowners who own guns.
“As a police officer, I would say armed and safely hidden is better than armed and looking. The odds of surprising a burglar are slim, so if you feel like you need your gun, you are best off getting it and retreating to a safe haven,” La Velle said.
Summertime is also bike theft time.
“Bicycle theft increases with bicycle usage. Many cyclists don’t want to be troubled by locking and unlocking their bicycles during short trips,” La Velle said.
“Bike theft is a trending crime in our region, so when you are not using your bike, keep it locked up,” La Velle said.
There were 58 bike thefts reported in Seal Beach in 2012, a 3 percent increase from the 120 bike thefts reported in 2011.
“The police can only return stolen items when proof of ownership has been established. Take photographs of jewelry and other small valuables. Record the serial numbers on larger items like electronics and bicycles. Keep these records in a safe place,” La Velle said.
“Working together, we can minimize our exposure to crime,” La Velle said.
