Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: March 12 to March 18

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

personnel investigated 23 Part I felony crimes last week, down from 26 the previous reporting period. Increases were noted in robberies, commercial burglaries, and vehicle burglaries. Residential burglaries and vehicle thefts were down. Patrol deputies handled 315 calls for service last week, up from 260 the week before. The 2012 weekly average in calls for service is 255.   

ROBBERIES

After two weeks without a robbery, two were logged last week. and advised a teller that he had a gun. The suspect fled on foot. On Thursday, March 15 at 9:20 p.m. a male robbed a fast-food restaurant in the 12500 block of South Street.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped from four to two last week. An open/unlocked door or window was the entry point in one of the two. A side garage door was kicked in at the other crime scene. Jewelry, coins, a TV, laptop computers, and a safe were taken. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.9.  

Sheriff's safety tip: There have been past reports where safes are taken from residences that were easily portable and had not been properly secured. If you choose to use this method of safekeeping property, make sure that the receptacle is firmly bolted into a foundation such as concrete, or connected to a structure support where prying it off is impossible. We recommend that you consult with a professional contractor before installation, but suggest that you use a safe deposit box at your banking institution to better protect these vital documents.  

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

One commercial burglary was investigated last week. A front door on a closed business was pried open, but no loss could be determined. The 2012 weekly average in commercial burglaries is now 1.2. 

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries rose from seven to nine last week. High-volume commercial parking lots were the locations in seven of the break-ins, and seven SUVs were targeted. Third-row seats (from SUVs), printers, computers, purses, tools, laptop computers, and cameras were among the missing items. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 6.1.

Sheriff's safety tip: We have seen an increase in vehicle burglaries in parks where the drivers have left purses, wallets, etc., in the passenger compartment of the vehicles and walked away to engage in physical activities. One possibility is that the drivers are being watched from a distance as they attempt to place these items under a seat or in the rear of the vehicle. We recommend that you leave these items at home and only carry your phone, keys, ID, and water if you plan to walk the track or exercise otherwise. We make the same recommendation for fitness center parking lots. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts dropped from eight to two. Both thefts occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. Two Hondas were stolen. Our 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 4.7.

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 80’s and 90’s Honda and Toyota products, or SUVs.   

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

Mark Your Calendars for the April 11 Neighborhood Watch Town Hall Meeting

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.