We received a Neighborhood Watch Alert from LAPD Sr. Lead Officer Eve Wight:

I want to start out by saying that I am sorry to be getting this information out to with such a delay, however I was in training all five days last week and this is my first day back in the office.

Below is some information that was forwarded to me by some concerned neighbors and the Victim of an attempted burglary.  I have blanked out the names of the individuals reporting, because I’m not sure if they wanted to put that info out there.  But the important information is there, and if anyone has any questions please feel free to contact me.

I think that the important thing to take note of is the fact that the suspects were unable to gain access to the house because it was properly locked and secured.  Taking the extra steps to secure your home does work, and this is a good reminder.

Also on another note, I have finally successfully created a facebook page (yeah….).  I will admit to not being an avid facebook user, or a very good facebook user in fact.  If you are on facebook and wish to friend me you can search for “Adameightyfive Lapdharbor” [Link: http://www.facebook.com/adameightyfive.lapdharbor].  I’ve been told it’s an awkward name and I guess I can’t argue with that.  But it was the only way I could make the facebook system let me open an account.

So…that being said.  I hope to be able to post updates, information and tips on the page for everyone’s benefit.  But in the mean time, I appreciate your patience.

Below please find the information from your South Shores Neighbors…

Thanks,

Eve Wight

He was on a vacation to Cancun for 4 days, Monday the 25th to Thurs. the 28th of February. He told ____that someone had tried to get in through the front door by prying the lock and door jam, but wasn’t successful.  They then went around the house and tried the side kitchen window which was tightly secured and couldn’t be opened even after removing the screen. They really tried using a blunt instrument or screw driver again with no success. He wanted to let ____know so that he could alert the rest of the neighbors. ____asked me if I would send an e mail to all of you on the block to keep you informed and up to date.

____seems to think it must have been kids, since they had failed twice and probably moved on.  He doesn’t know if it was during the daylight hours or in the early evening or late night. Please try to keep a watch out for strangers walking through the block …call or notify other neighbors if you find them suspicious. Call the police and ask for a patrol car to drive through our area and they may stop and ask them questions as to why they are in this area. This may deter them from coming through this neighborhood again. This is the only way we can catch these guys.

Also, if you hear of any disturbances next door to you- check to see if it’s safe, call your neighbor and ask to see if everything is alright. And if there is an attempted burglary  that has happened at your end of the block,  please notify the rest of us on the block with that information so we can be vigilant and try to help with this problem. We have to be united and work together to keep our block a safe place for our children, and the rest of us to live.  We do have 5 women who live alone, and a few elderly neighbors that aren’t aware of what is happening on our block.  Please talk to them, and keep them informed.  THEY NEED TO KNOW!!

AND FROM THE ACTUAL HOMEOWNER…
“The attempted to break into the front door and when unsuccessful, went to the back yard and attempted to enter in sliding doors. Again unsuccessful, finally the screen was removed and damaged on the kitchen window and tooling pry marks were noticed on bottom of window, appears they were trying to remove from track to gain entrance to home. Since then I have reinforced all locations and plan to add another deadbolt to front door etc. All neighbors were notified. We have been noticing a suspicious unmarked white van parked in front of the address above and will attempt to get a license plate number if we spot it again. The van sits with an occupant for long periods of time. Not windows on side or rear of van. “

There has been an increase in burglaries in the South Shores neighborhood. Sr. Lead Officer Eve Wight has an update for us:

I recently met with the lead Burglary Detective here at Harbor Division and we discussed a recent increase in Burglaries in the South Shores area.

Over the past two weeks there have been three reported burglaries in the South Shores area.  In two of these burglaries the homes were either not secured or only partially secured.

It is important that everyone remembers to lock all your doors and close all your windows, even if you’re just going out for a little while.  Even interior garage doors should be locked, even if the exterior garage door is locked.

The more barriers the thieves have to over come to access the inside of your home the better.  It is also important not to leave anything valuable open to view from the outside of your home.  Pull those blinds and close those shutters!

I know for the most part when I send you all these emails, I am preaching to the choir.  You are the folks who take the time to secure your homes, and cover your assets.  I am just hoping that you all can spread the word to your less informed neighbors.

Unfortunately, I don’t have any suspect or suspect vehicle info to share, since the burglaries occurred at night and there were no witnesses.  The Detectives are actively investigating, and if and when I have any info to share, I will send along an update.

##
More neighborhood watch articles can be found here. To receive instant news updates, subscribe to Email Alerts on the homepage at TheSanPedroCoast.com.

Image from Hubbard Township Police Department

LAPD Sr. Lead Officer Eve Wight has information for neighbors regarding recent thefts and burglaries:

Catalytic Convert Thefts
Recently we have had a serious trend of Burglary for Motor Vehicles in the area of Bynner [near 9th St.] and Western.  Unfortunately these are the kind of thefts where our Lock it or Lose it program is not as effective.

In the course of one night thieves targeted five separate vehicles and stole their Catalytic Converters off the bottom of the vehicles.  Targeted vehicles are Toyotas; in this most recent rash of thefts the vehicles targeted were 1 Toyota 4Runner, 2 Toyota Sequoias, 1 Toyota Sienna and 1 Toyota small Truck.

If you have a Toyota truck, SUV, or minivan, do what you can to secure the vehicle, park it behind a locked fence, in a garage or at the very least up on your driveway.  These vehicles are prime targets due to the way they are constructed, also due to the fact that many Toyota models have two converters and due to the fact that they are higher off the ground than sedans.

There are also some products on the market that can be installed aftermarket to protect your converters.  These products can be very expensive, but are easily located through and internet search for catalytic converter anti-theft.  Replacing catalytic converters on Toyota Trucks and SUVs can also run into the thousands, though.  Your best bet is to park the vehicle in a secured area.

In one of the recent incidents a witness believes that they saw the Suspect and described him as a male white in his twenties slim build possibly driving a white Honda.  Keep an eye out for someone matching this description lurking around or underneath Toyotas, also bear in mind that the white Honda he was seen is was likely stolen so he may not be still driving that vehicle.

If you see anything or have information you wish to share please feel free to contact me as usual.  Thank you for your vigilance!

Burglars and Doggie Doors

I also wanted to let you know about a Burglary that occurred on Halloween night in the Upper South Shores area.  I won’t disclose the street to maintain the victim’s privacy.

No one was home at the time, and no one was injured.  Unfortunately there were no witnesses at the time of the initial investigation of the crime so there is no suspect description.  It looks like the possible point of entry was a doggie door.

A teenager with a small build can easily fit through a small doggie door or even reach through and unlock your door.  Some doggie doors come equipped with a solid plastic door that can slide into tracks and secure the door.  In the long run however, having a doggie door is a lot like leaving an open window. Remember to take a minute and look at your home.  Think about if you were a criminal, how would you get in?

Also I am more than happy to come by anyone’s home and take a look myself.  I can help you identify weak points or easy access points in your home.  I will even do this security consultation free of charge (just kidding, that’s in my job description!).  Seriously though folks, if that is something that you are interested in, please feel free to contact me over email or phone to arrange a date and time.  We can take a walk through of your home and property and make sure that it is as secure as possible.

##
More neighborhood watch articles can be found here. To receive instant news updates, subscribe to Email Alerts on the homepage at TheSanPedroCoast.com.