San Carlos Police Issue Burglary Warning.

Surge in Residential Break-Ins.

Unfortunately, not everything that’s reported on this site is good news.  Late yesterday the San Carlos Bureau of the San Mateo County Sheriff’s Department issued a rare email alert to residents in San Carlos in the wake of two daytime residential burglaries that apparently happened on the same day.   The addresses of the break-ins were not disclosed in the alert.

Both break-ins occurred during daylight hours, and access was gained either by forcing open a door or window with a screwdriver (or similar tool), or simply by gaining access through an unlocked door.   Here is the email alert in its entirety:

The San Mateo County Sheriff’s Office San Carlos Patrol Bureau is currently investigating two residential daytime burglaries that have occurred this week.  Both incidents have involved “Unoccupied” homes.  The apparent method in which entry is being made is through rear sliding glass doors.  The doors are either left unlocked by the residents or the suspect(s) use a screwdriver to pry the door open.

As a common practice, please lock all of your homes doors and windows, as well as your parked vehicles doors and windows when leaving.    Please do not hesitate in calling 911 and reporting suspicious persons and/or vehicles in your area.

It Hits Home.

These are certainly not the only two residential burglaries that have happened in San Carlos recently, as only two would probably not prompt the Sheriff’s Department to issue such an alert.  Just two weeks ago, my 93-year old neighbor across the street had his home broken into in broad daylight.  The thieves gained access by throwing a brick through his rear window, and were in the process of casing through his stuff when (we believe) somebody rang the doorbell and the perps fled.

Stealing from a 93-year old WWII veteran…   Really?  Is that what our society has come to?

Common Sense and Vigilance.

Clearly in the case of my neighbor’s theft, the burglars knew the comings and goings of not only my neighbor, but others in the immediate vicinity.  They appeared to have cased the neighborhood and picked a time that they knew he was gone, and that others who could have seen anyone walking around his yard would not be home either.   Or maybe I’m just giving these morons way too much credit?

Some common sense and heightened vigilance are just a couple of things that can help protect you and your neighbors.  Here are a couple of suggestions that have been offered by the police:

• Keep your doors locked.   It’s easy to get lulled into a false sense of security when you live in a relatively quiet, small town.  Lock you doors!  Don’t make it easy for them..
• Keep valuables out of site.   You’d be amazed at what you can see in your own home if you simply look in through the window.  Computers, musical instruments, stereos, iPhones, etc.. are all quick money for thieves.  Keep them out of plain view.
• Be aware of your neighborhood.   If you see someone or something that looks out of place, don’t hesitate to contact the police to have them check it out — especially if it looks like a stranger is taking an unusual interest in your block.  Your not going to hurt anyone’s feelings if it turns out to be a false alarm.  Better to be safe than sorry.

Program This Number Into Your Phone.

If you need to contact the police, obviously call 911 from your land-line.  But if you’re on a cell phone, dialing 911 will likely put you to the CHP dispatch in Vallejo.  You’ll lose valuable minutes getting re-routed back to local police dispatch.  Instead, program this number into your cell phone:

(650) 802-4321

That’s the direct line to the San Carlos Police emergency dispatch.  I’ve had to use it before, and they pick up on the first ring.

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Related posts:

1. Sheriff’s Department Warns of Car Burglary Increase in San Carlos.
2. Farewell and Thank You, San Carlos Police Department.
3. San Carlos Police Department to Host Town Hall Meeting — 4/30/09…
4. San Carlos Police Officers Association Gives Official “Thumbs Down” to Outsourcing.
5. “Spotlight on San Carlos” Interview Series: San Carlos Police Officer’s Association.