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This is a great story - neighbors watching out for each other, and catching two burglars in the process. Last October I wrote about National Crime Prevention Month, and that post had a link to the National Crime Prevention Council, who sponsors the program. One of the Council’s best known programs is Neighborhood Watch – you have probably seen the "Watch" signs in your travels. From the West Seattle police:
At about 5:30 this morning a neighbor noticed a white box van parked in the driveway of a vacant house and also saw what they thought were flashlights flickering inside the house. The neighbor called the police and our officers responded and contacted two subjects, a husband and a wife from South Seattle. Officers were able to determine that the couple didn’t live in the house and were attempting to take the woodstove from the home.
The Story Just Gets Better
The officers also noticed a large number of what appeared to be new items in the van that had Home Depot stickers on them. When the suspect’s story about the items didn’t add up, the officers were able to contact the manager at the West Seattle Home Depot. He identified the two individuals as persons who tried to take the same items from his store yesterday. He was able to verify that the items were now missing from the store and had not been purchased. Both subjects were arrested for the burglary of the house and the theft from Home Depot.
Top 10 Home Security Tips
One of my favorite Top 10 home security tips is to look out for your neighbors, and ask that they look out for your property as well. We know this mutual defense system works, and the Seattle story is just one more example. Here’s a bit of detail on Neighborhood Watch:
Sponsored by the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.
While crime generally may have experienced a slight decrease, burglary is proving a tough nut to crack – and is even increasing in some regions. With a break-in occurring every 14 seconds in the US, we all need to take whatever measures we can. Here at FrontPoint we believe in interactive, wireless home security - and that a safer, smarter, simpler, and more affordable alarm system is your best protection. But, a neighborhood on the lookout can really help when it comes to protecting your home and family. Be safe!
West Seattle Crime Watch - Neighbor Helps Police Nab Burglars
By:
Peter M. Rogers
|January 28, 2011
This is a great story - neighbors watching out for each other, and catching two burglars in the process. Last October I wrote about National Crime Prevention Month, and that post had a link to the National Crime Prevention Council, who sponsors the program. One of the Council’s best known programs is Neighborhood Watch – you have probably seen the "Watch" signs in your travels. From the West Seattle police:
At about 5:30 this morning a neighbor noticed a white box van parked in the driveway of a vacant house and also saw what they thought were flashlights flickering inside the house. The neighbor called the police and our officers responded and contacted two subjects, a husband and a wife from South Seattle. Officers were able to determine that the couple didn’t live in the house and were attempting to take the woodstove from the home.
The Story Just Gets Better
The officers also noticed a large number of what appeared to be new items in the van that had Home Depot stickers on them. When the suspect’s story about the items didn’t add up, the officers were able to contact the manager at the West Seattle Home Depot. He identified the two individuals as persons who tried to take the same items from his store yesterday. He was able to verify that the items were now missing from the store and had not been purchased. Both subjects were arrested for the burglary of the house and the theft from Home Depot.
Top 10 Home Security Tips
One of my favorite Top 10 home security tips is to look out for your neighbors, and ask that they look out for your property as well. We know this mutual defense system works, and the Seattle story is just one more example. Here’s a bit of detail on Neighborhood Watch:
Sponsored by the National Sheriffs' Association (NSA), Neighborhood Watch can trace its roots back to the days of colonial settlements, when night watchmen patrolled the streets. Launched in 1972, Neighborhood Watch counts on citizens to organize themselves and work with law enforcement to keep a trained eye and ear on their communities, while demonstrating their presence at all times of day and night. Neighborhood Watch works because it reduces opportunities for crime to occur; it doesn’t rely on altering or changing the criminal’s behavior or motivation.
While crime generally may have experienced a slight decrease, burglary is proving a tough nut to crack – and is even increasing in some regions. With a break-in occurring every 14 seconds in the US, we all need to take whatever measures we can. Here at FrontPoint we believe in interactive, wireless home security - and that a safer, smarter, simpler, and more affordable alarm system is your best protection. But, a neighborhood on the lookout can really help when it comes to protecting your home and family. Be safe!