By Patty Montagno
Staff Writer
Sachse police are alerting the community that in recent weeks there has been a slight increase in vehicle burglaries in the area.
Police officers said the crimes involve unlocked car doors and unsecured property such as sheds and open garage doors.
Lt. Marty Cassidy said reports show there have been 65 reported thefts in vehicles from April 2013 to April 2014.
“In a staggering 90 percent or 55 of those cases no force was necessary to enter the vehicles,” he said. “The majority of those unlocked vehicles were parked in rear entry driveways or in the street of someone’s home.”
Cassidy said the incidents could be classified as crimes of opportunity, which is defined as a crime that is committed without planning when the perpetrator sees the chance to commit the act at that moment and seizes it.
“There are many things a citizen can do to curtail that opportunity,” he said. “Personal property is left unguarded in places where the opportunity is ripe for it to be taken. We encourage individuals to take responsibility for their personal property.”
Cassidy stressed that everyone should lock his or her cars.
“This may sound simple, but most of the recent car burglaries involved vehicles that were parked and unlocked,” he said. “Always remove your keys and park in well-lighted areas and busy car lots or lots with attendants.”
Cassidy recommended never leaving valuables in plain view.
“Loose items should be out of sight, preferably locked in the trunk,” he said. “Don’t leave your insurance cards or registration in the glove box. Always make sure to lock both the garage and car doors. Do not leave anything in plain sight. Thieves are looking for quick things to grab and sell like laptops, guns and change.”
Cassidy noted that the best crime prevention device is diligence.
“Be sure your entire home is locked, even the interior door leading from your garage to your home. Close and lock all your windows.”
Interim Police Chief Todd Renshaw said a burglar only needs to spot an open window, unlocked side gate or a cheap lock in order to make their move.
Renshaw emphasized that crimes can be averted and suspects apprehended more quickly if suspicious activity is reported quickly.
“PD has started Areas of Responsibility within the city,” he said. “One sergeant and two officers have been assigned to each area. If someone logs onto the city website they can bring up their AOR and correspond directly with the officers assigned to their AOR.”
The more we can pull citizens in and get them involved in keeping their own community safe and giving us information about what’s going on in their community, the better it is.”
Cassidy said Twitter and Nixle joined the successful neighborhood E-Watch program, which is designed to alert the public by e-mail of recent crime activity in the community, as well as crime prevention tips and notices of current events.
“The goal is to keep the citizens more informed and knowledgeable about their neighborhoods,” he said. “If anyone sees or hears anything suspicious or out of the ordinary in their neighborhood, please call us. We will gladly come and check it out. If a citizen thinks it’s important – it’s important to us. All this is just common sense. To report a crime call 972-495-2271.
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