Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Sept. 24 to Sept. 30

Editor's Note: The information below comes from the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department Cerritos Station's weekly crime summary.

There were 26 Part I felony investigations conducted by members of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station last week, down from one case the week before. Residential burglaries and vehicle burglaries increased while robberies remained the same at zero. Commercial burglaries and vehicle thefts were lower. Field deputies handled 288 calls for service last week, up from 280. The new 2012 weekly average in calls for service is now 291.

ROBBERIES

For the third consecutive week there were no robberies reported.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries rose from six to 12 during this period. Eight were made possible by open/unlocked doors or windows. Two windows were shattered, one was pried and a front door was kicked in. Laptop computers, jewelry, copper piping, cash, checkbooks, business documents and lamps were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.8. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Remember, a common method of determining if there is anyone in the home is for the burglar(s) to continually knock on the front door until they are convinced the residence is clear of any potential witnesses. We have always advocated that if a resident is not comfortable opening the door, to make some noise that can be heard outside, or tell the caller from behind a closed door, that it is not a good time and to return later. A burglar will realize that they may encounter someone on the property that could summon police, and that home has effectively been removed from their “shopping list”.

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries dropped from five to two last week. A fitness center locker was breached where a debit card was taken. A front door was pried at a closed business but a loss from inside could not be determined. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 2.2.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries rose from four to seven last week. High-volume commercial parking lots were involved in six of the break-ins. Five of the targeted vehicles were SUVs. Briefcases, backpacks, ID, purses and a stereo were taken. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.1.

Sheriff's safety tip: Vans, SUVs, and pick-ups are constant targets of vehicle burglars. We continue to see more of these vehicles broken into on a weekly basis. Crooks know that there is no real secure place to store property and many victims leave items that are easily seen from outside.  

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts were down from seven to one. A Honda was stolen from a high-volume commercial parking lot. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts remained at 3.9.

Sheriff's safety tip: We always promote the use of steering wheel locking devices as great visible deterrents, but also endorse the use of tracking devices that can lead to the speedy recovery of your stolen vehicle.

 * Visit www.safercerritos.com for an extensive library of crime prevention tips, disaster preparedness information, and a variety of links to other pertinent sites.

Got Safety Concerns? Talk to Cerritos Sheriff's Capt. Joe A. Gonzales

Join other community members and meet Cerritos Sheriff's Capt. Joe A. Gonzales at the Coffee with the Captain event on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cerritos Senior Center. Click here for a video recap of the last Coffee with the Captain event earlier this year.

Volunteers on Patrol Wanted 

The Cerritos Sheriff’s Station is seeking Volunteers on Patrol (VOPs). Patrolling the city in distinctly marked vehicles, VOPs assist with crime suppression, traffic control, vacation checks, special events and park security checks. They serve as additional “eyes and ears” for the Sheriff’s Department and train as first responders in the event of a major emergency or disaster. If you are interested in helping Cerritos maintain its reputation as a safe place to live and work, the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station encourages you to apply to be a VOP.  

For more information, contact the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station at (562) 860-0044, or visit the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station to obtain an application.  

Block Captains Wanted 

Block Captains act as contacts for the Sheriff’s Department and the Community Safety Division on behalf of their neighbors.  They are also responsible for distributing information and do a great deal to promote public safety in Cerritos. Remember, informed citizens who use safe living strategies are safer citizens!  We encourage residents, business owners, and their employees to consider joining the Virtual Block Club (VBC). If you are interested in helping our Sheriff’s Department prevent and reduce crime, and enhancing your own personal and neighborhood safety, join the VBC on-line at our website devoted to public safety in the City of Cerritos. We encourage you to share the information with your family, friends, and co-workers. Go to www.safercerritos.com to sign up. 

If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain in the Cerritos Neighborhood Watch, contact the Community Safety office at (562) 916-1266.