Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: March 5 to March 11

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

Part I felony cases investigated by  personnel rose from 15 to 26 last week. Vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts increased, robberies remained the same, while residential and commercial burglaries declined. Field deputies handled 260 calls for service last week. The 2012 weekly average in calls for service is 255.

ROBBERIES

For the second consecutive week, there were no robberies reported.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

Residential burglaries dropped from five the past three weeks to four during this reporting period. Open/unlocked doors or windows were the entry points in all four break-ins. Laptop computers, cameras, light fixtures, a stove, a dishwasher, and window screens were reported as stolen items. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 4.9.

Sheriff's safety tip: Small, expensive, and concealable items such as jewelry are prime targets for burglars. We recommend that you store these items in a place other than the bedroom. Consider placing them in a non-distinct box in the garage, laundry room, bathroom, or kitchen. These are not common locations where burglars seek property, but the bedrooms are the primary location involved in the majority of cases reported. 

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

There were no commercial burglaries logged last week

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries were up from three to seven last week. Six occurred in high-volume parking lots, and six were SUVs. Third-row seats (from SUVs), purses, wallets, eyeglasses, credit cards, a suitcase, a camera, and a laptop computer were taken. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 5.8. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Vehicle burglars rarely enter your vehicle to just look around, but are instead attracted to an item that they can see from outside. If your property is valuable and important to you, consider leaving it at home or taking it with you when you exit the vehicle. Remember, law enforcement officers cannot protect you from vehicle burglars. Only you can prevent your own vehicle burglary.

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts also increased last week after eight were investigated. There were four the previous week. High-volume commercial parking lots were the crime scenes in all eight. Four Hondas, two SUVs, a Ford, and a Nissan were stolen. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 5.0. 

Sheriff's safety tip: Even though we see more Hondas, Toyotas, and SUVs stolen compared to others, car thieves are not always as selective as you think and are most 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).  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.