Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: March 26 to April 1

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

For the second week in a row, 18 Part I felony investigations were conducted by the . Increases occurred in robberies, residential burglaries, and vehicle thefts. Commercial burglaries remained the same, and vehicle burglaries declined. Patrol personnel handled 246 calls for service last week, down from 254 the week before. The 2012 weekly average in calls for service is 260.

ROBBERIES

One robbery was investigated during this period when a lone male suspect approached a male victim in the parking lot in the 18600 block of Gridley Road on Saturday, March 31 at 12:39 p.m. The suspect simulated a handgun and robbed the victim of $100.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Four residential burglaries were reported during this period, whereas three were recorded the previous week. In two of the cases last week, the burglars made entry through open/unlocked doors or windows. One side garage door was kicked in, and a window was shattered at the fourth residence. Reported loss items included jewelry, laptop computers, iPads, backpacks, checks, cameras, and passports. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.5.   

Sheriff's safety tip: Burglar alarms and dogs are the would-be burglar’s worst enemies. Most insurance companies offer a discount on a homeowner’s policy when an alarm system is installed. Both of these additions attract attention to your home when there is an intrusion, but only one will result in a Sheriff’s Department response every time. Unless you can train your dog to dial 911, look into an alarm system BEFORE you become a victim.  

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

For the third consecutive week, one commercial burglary was investigated. A fitness center locker was the target after a lock was cut. A debit card and rings were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in commercial burglaries is now 1.2.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries dropped from seven to three last week. High-volume commercial parking lots were the locations in three, and two were SUVs. Third-row seats (from SUVs), purses, clothes, credit cards, and ID were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 6.2.  

Sheriff's safety tip: The safest place to leave items inside of a vehicle is in your locked garage. Remember that wherever you park, you become “fair game” to any thief that can look inside of your vehicle and observe valuable property. Whether you park on a street, in a parking lot, or even your own driveway, the thin window that separates your property from a thief is not any protection at all. Window smashes are the most reported points of entry in vehicle burglaries. SUVs, pick-ups, and vans do not have trunk space. Criminals know this and look even closer. Don’t become a victim by giving a criminal the chance to make you one.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts rose from two to seven during this week. High-volume commercial parking lots were the crime scenes in only three of the cases. Five SUVs, a Honda, and a Ford were listed as stolen. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 4.7. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Even though we see more Hondas and Toyotas stolen compared to others, car thieves are not always as selective as you think and are often just looking for transportation. Consider a steering wheel locking device that serves as a good visual deterrent.

* 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).  All community members are invited to attend as members of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station/Community Safety Center will offer an in-depth presentation on crime in Cerritos. 

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.