October 7 2009The Altadena Sheriff’s Department held a forum on the increase in daytime burglaries in Altadena, a meeting attended by nearly 200 residents of AltadenaPresentations were made by working detectives, who gave the audience tips on • How to prepare against and possibly prevent burglaries• How to identify possible burglars in your neighborhood• What to do if you are home and there is an attempted burglary• What are they stealing from houses and carsIn sum, the detectives pointed out that the majority of the burglaries are occurring in East Altadena, with fewer in West Altadena, where we live on the “T.”
The detectives said, over and again, you cannot call them too many times… you cannot be too cautious
• How to prepare against and possibly prevent burglariesLock your doors always
If you have an alarm system, make sure it’s audible…. Loud
You can put a sticker, even if it’s fake, on your front window that says “Warning, Security System”
If you have large windows, close your drapes… it will make them hesitate
Large dogs work, but often, the sight of a dog tells the burglar, “If I hop the fence, and go around the back, these people probably have left a door or window unlocked… I’ll go in and lock the dog out.”
• How to identify possible burglars in your neighborhoodBurglars typically travel in pairs, one knocks on the door, one stays with the car or truck as far as a block away
They communicate with one another with cell phones or sometimes walkie-talkies
They often wear backpacks
They knock on the door and typically have a piece of paper in their hand, sometimes even a clipboard in the event you answer the door. They might say:
“I’m looking for a lost cat”
“My car over heated”
“Do you want to buy magazines?”
“Is John here?” “Is Robert here?”
If you don’t answer the front door, they will go around the back to attempt the break-in
Typical break-ins last two to three minutes
• What to do if you are home and there is an attempted burglaryIn a high percentage of our residential burglaries the suspects knock on the front door before attempting to break into the house (from the back)
Answer: if you’re home, and someone knocks on your door, do something to tell them you’re in the house. You CAN go to the door, or shout “sorry, we don’t talk to solicitors,” or “I don’t want any!” That shows the burglar someone is home, and they won’t attempt a break-in
Don’t play possum, they will go around the back and break in
You can make big noises, to indicate that you are home.
You can NOT shoot them, or use a gun, unless your life is in danger.
You should always call the Sheriff
For fastest response:From your landline, call 911From your cell phone, call +1-626-798-1131• What are they stealing from houses and cars- Laptops (if you have one, write down the serial number on a piece of paper, and keep it… if you store the serial number on the laptop, it’s gone when the laptop is stolen)
- Large screen TVs
- Apple iPods
- Jewelry
- GPS systems
- Cash
Questions:Call the Sheriffs at +1-626-798-1131 or e-mail them Altadena@lasd.org