Burglaries

There's been a spate of burglaries in C'dale recently. I counted 6 residential burglaries posted on the Carbondale Police website in the past week. Officer Randy Mathis, contact for the city's Neighborhood Watch program, sent out these tips for reducing the chances your home is burglarized:

With the recent activity the City of Carbondale Police Department is urging residents to be on the look out for, and to report, suspicious behavior immediately. Posted below are tips that residents can use to help prevent the occurrence of residential burglaries.

Burglary Prevention Tips While Away From Home

- If you are away from your residence, use timers for your lights, television or radio to give the impression that someone is home.

- Do not let newspapers or mail pile up while you are away. Place a hold on these items or have someone collect them for you.

- If possible, have someone check your residence.

- Electronic equipment (computers, digital cameras, video game systems, etc...) are a common target for criminals. Consider taking these items with you.

Burglary Prevention Tips While At Home

Many cases involve the criminal going from house to house looking for unlocked doors or windows. Often the criminal will knock on the door of a residence to see if anyone is home. If someone answers they will ask for a person and pretend they have come to the wrong residence. The suspect may ask to use the phone, or make another statement to keep you from knowing their actual intent.

In order to make you and your home less of a target, please keep in mind the following :

- Keep all doors and windows locked, even if you are at home, will only be gone a short time or are "just going next door." Make sure all locks are functioning properly.

- Never allow someone you don’t know into your residence. If someone comes to your door needing assistance, offer to call the police for them, while they wait outside.

- Keep valuable items out of sight of passers-by.

- Be alert to persons going from house to house, looking in windows or knocking on doors. Report suspicious persons to the police. Make note of the person’s physical description, clothing, tattoos or other distinguishing characteristics and give that information to the police.

- Keep all entrances to your residence well lit and maintain landscaping to prevent hiding places.

- Beware of burglars posing as solicitors. All persons must have a Solicitation Permit issued by the City of Carbondale prior to going door-to-door. After you verify the solicitor has the proper permit and you choose to let them in your residence, do not leave them alone.

- Keep a list of your valuables, including the serial numbers and unique characteristics. If a burglary does occur, providing this information can greatly help in the investigation and recovery process.

- Don’t advertise the property you recently purchased or received as a gift. Put the boxes in a trash bag or trash container. If you leave them out anyone can see what you now have inside your residence.

- REMEMBER! The best crime prevention tool is alert neighbors. Be aware of suspicious activity in your neighborhood, and report it to the police.