Crime & Safety

Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Nov. 28 to Dec. 4

The Cerritos Sheriff's Station reminds locals that thieves notoriously escalate their criminal activity during the holiday season because they know there are profitable opportunities awaiting them, especially in shopping center parking lots.

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 conducted by members of the increased from 15 to 28 last week. All categories in this summary increased with the exception of vehicle thefts. Calls for service handled by patrol deputies reached 300 last week, up from 237 the week before. The 2011 weekly average in that category is 271. 

ROBBERIES

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One robbery was reported. In a business transaction turned bad, a male was robbed by another at gunpoint on Monday, Nov. 28 at 4:20 p.m. in the . The object of the sale was diamonds.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

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Residential burglaries rose from two to three last week. Two of the incidents last week were made possible by open/unlocked doors or windows, and a rear sliding glass door was shattered. A GPS unit and jewelry were taken. The 2011 weekly average in residential burglaries is 3.9.

Sheriff's safety tip: Good neighbors look out for one another. If you see anything suspicious, don’t hesitate to call the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station at once. It is always better to find out that there is a legitimate reason for activity than not to call and have a neighbor victimized.

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial/“other structure” burglaries were up from one the previous week to two. A school and a detached garage were targeted. A bicycle was removed from the garage after a remote control was removed from a car in the driveway and used to access the structure. The 2011 weekly average in commercial/“other structure” burglaries is 2.9. 

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries were up from five to 12 last week. Five of the break-ins occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. The others took place in residential tracts. Five SUVs were among the vehicles burglarized. Property missing included third-row seats (from SUVs), CDs, cash, a watch, tools, a TV, cell phones, clothing, and two GPS units. The 2011 weekly average in vehicle burglaries remained at 6.8. 

Sheriff's safety tip: As the Holiday Season is upon us, it is even more important than usual to make sure that there are no visible items left within the passenger compartment of your vehicle. Thieves notoriously escalate their criminal activity this time of year as they know there are profitable opportunities awaiting them, especially in shopping center parking lots. Remember that suspects can watch from a distance and observe the purchases you are placing in the vehicle. If you drop off purchases in your vehicle then return for more shopping, you have just provided the would-be thief with the chance to make you a victim. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts dropped from seven to four last week.  Three of the vehicles were taken from high-volume commercial parking lots. Two were VWs, one a Honda, and the fourth a Toyota. The 2011 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 3.3. 

Sheriff's safety tip: If you own an expensive SUV, make sure that you use as many means to protect it as possible. These are commonly stolen for wheels, third row seats, and DVD units.  

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


OPPORTUNITIES

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.


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