Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Feb. 27 to March 4

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

Part I felony investigations initiated by personnel dropped from 18 to 15 last week. Vehicle thefts were up, residential burglaries, and commercial burglaries remained the same, while robberies and vehicle burglaries declined. There were 268 calls for service handled by patrol deputies, up from 239 the previous week. The new 2012 weekly average in calls for service is now 255. 

ROBBERIES

There were no robberies reported last week. 

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries remained the same at five for the third consecutive week. Three were aided by open/unlocked doors or windows, and two windows were shattered. Computers, iPads, jewelry, and bicycles were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries remained at 5.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: We remind residents to make an “exit check” each time they leave the home. Make sure that all doors and windows are secured, even if the weather is warm. Don’t present an opportunity for a burglar to enter your home with ease. When you return, you can “air out” the residence in a short period of time. This is a much safer practice than finding valuable property stolen when you get back. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries remained at one for the second week in a row. A front door was pried open at a closed business, but initially, no loss could be determined. The 2012 weekly average in commercial/“other structure” burglaries remained at 1.4.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Three vehicle burglaries were reported last week, down from seven the week before. All three of the incidents last week occurred in high-volume parking lots, one involved an SUV. Cash, ID, keys, books, tax documents, and jewelry were taken. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.7. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Think twice about the property you leave in your vehicle, especially if you have an SUV. If it is valuable and important to you, consider leaving it at home or taking it with you when you exit the vehicle. Valuable items left within the passenger compartment make it just too easy for the thief. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts rose from two to four during this period. High-volume commercial parking lots were the crime scenes in three. Two of thev ehicles were SUVs, one was a Mercedes Benz, and the other a Honda. Our 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 4.8.

Sheriff's safety tip: It is very important that you use some form of an anti-theft device to retain your vehicle. Visible deterrents, such as a steering wheel locking device, are the most obvious and tell the would-be thief to look elsewhere. These are important especially of you own one of the two most stolen makes in California, which are Hondas and Toyotas that were manufactured in the 90’s. A great deal of success has been demonstrated by tracking devices that can lead law enforcement directly to the location of a stolen vehicle. These systems cost a little more and require a monthly fee, but are very effective. 

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

April 11 Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting Announced 

The next Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting is scheduled for Wednesday, April 11, 2012 at 7 p.m. at the located at 12340 South St. (at Ely Avenue).  Please join us as members of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center will offer an in-depth presentation on crime in Cerritos. Plan on being there as we look forward to seeing you and answering any questions you may have. 

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.