Crime & Safety

Cerritos Weekly Crime Recap: Oct. 29 to Nov. 4

The Cerritos Sheriff's Station reminds residents of the importance of calling 911 if you see something suspicious in your neighborhood.

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

There were 27 Part I felony investigations conducted by members of the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station last week, down from 32 the previous reporting period. Residential burglaries increased, commercial burglaries remained the same as robberies, vehicle burglaries and vehicle thefts dropped. Patrol deputies responded to 292 calls for service last week, up from 265 the week before. The new 2012 weekly average in calls for service is now 291.

ROBBERIES

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There were no robberies reported last week.

RESIDENTIAL BURGLARIES

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Residential burglaries increased from six to nine. Five were attributed to open/unlocked doors or windows. Three windows were pried open and one door was kicked in. Computers, cameras, purses, credit cards, tools, jewelry and a TV were among the items listed as stolen. The 2012 weekly average in residential burglaries is now 5.1.

Sheriff's safety tip: We have experienced a couple of recent cases where alert neighbors have contacted the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station to report residential burglaries in progress. These calls were based on observations of people other than the residents walking in side areas of the front yard and near gates. This is a demonstration of the partnership of residents and law enforcement and exactly what is needed to ensure our neighbors are not victimized. PLEASE, call 911 if you observe something suspicious. Don’t dismiss it by questioning yourself or thinking that we would not find this to be valuable information. If you alert deputies to a problem, they will gladly handle it. This is how we all partner in crime prevention.

COMMERCIAL/OTHER STRUCTURE BURGLARIES

Commercial burglaries remained the same at four last week. Three closed businesses and an open one were involved. Two doors were pried open and a window shattered at the closed businesses where the losses could not be determined. A former employee was identified as the suspect in the open business burglary and has been taken into custody by detectives. The 2012 weekly average in “other structure”/commercial burglaries is 2.2.

VEHICLE BURGLARIES

Vehicle burglaries were down from eight to seven. High-volume commercial parking lots were involved in five cases. Five were SUVs, and one high-end stereo unit was stolen. Victims reported MP3 players, sunglasses, bags, make-up, clothing, purses, shoes and ID as stolen items. The 2012 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is 7.0.

Sheriff's safety tip: Think twice about the property you leave in your vehicle. Thieves can check several vehicles in a matter of moments and rarely enter a vehicle to just look around. They are attracted to your valuable property and can be in and out of your car in seconds. 

VEHICLE THEFTS

Vehicle thefts also declined from six to five. Three occurred in high-volume commercial parking lots. Four Hondas and a trailer were stolen. The new 2012 weekly average in vehicle thefts remained at 3.9.

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. Expensive SUVs are often taken for wheels, third row seats, and interior accessories such as DVD players. 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.

Got Safety Concerns? Talk to Cerritos Sheriff's Capt. Joe A. Gonzales on Nov. 13

Join other community members and meet Cerritos Sheriff's Capt. Joe A. Gonzales at the Coffee with the Captain event on Nov. 13 from 10 a.m. to noon at the Cerritos Senior Center. Click here for a video recap of the last Coffee with the Captain event earlier this year.

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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