CERRITOS SHERIFF’S STATION Weekly Crime Summary July 12-18, 2010

There were twenty-two Part I felony crimes reported to the Cerritos Sheriff’s Station last week, down from thirty-one the previous week. Robberies and residential burglaries remained the same, and decreases were noted in commercial burglaries, vehicle burglaries, and vehicle thefts. Despite the drop in reported crimes, calls for service rose from 309 to 340 last week. This is not uncommon during the busier summer months and around the Holiday Season. The 2010 weekly average in calls for service is now 302.

GREAT NEWS! For the second consecutive reporting period, there were no robberies reported.

Three residential burglaries were again investigated last week for the third consecutive reporting period. Open doors and windows were the entry points in two crimes and a window was pried in the third. Cameras, checkbooks, jewelry, and coins were among the loss items. The current 2010 weekly average in residential burglaries is 2.0.

The open window case last week was a second story entry. Just because a window is on the second floor obviously doesn’t make it safer. Thieves will find anyway they can to make you a victim. Remember to secure all doors and windows when you are not inside the home.

There were three commercial burglary incidents logged for this reporting period compared to six the week before. Two closed businesses and an open one that had been entered from a rear door were involved. Purses, check books, make-up, electronics, and a hatch absorber were stolen. The 2010 weekly average in commercial burglaries is 2.8

There were six vehicle burglaries reported, down from nine the previous week. High-volume commercial parking lots were the crime scenes in four. Five of the vehicles last week were SUVs and two victims reported GPS units missing.
Other items stolen were purses, wallets, cash, laptop computers, and MP3 players. The new 2010 weekly average in vehicle burglaries is now 6.7.

Just because a vehicle is parked in a driveway does not mean that is safe from vehicle burglary. Normally, we don’t see vehicle burglaries in residential neighborhoods but occasionally, that does occur. Since there is no way to predict when that will happen, make sure that you never leave any valuable item in the passenger compartment of your vehicle regardless where it is parked

Vehicle theft incidents dropped again last week from five to four. Two of the four were attempts only. High-volume commercial parking lots were the crime scenes in all four. Two were involved SUVs, one a Honda, and one an Acura. The 2010 weekly average in vehicle thefts is now 4.7.

We always promote the use of steering wheel locking devices as great visible deterrents, but also endorse the use of tracking devices that can lead to the speedy recovery of your stolen vehicle.


Go to 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
If you are interested in becoming a Block Captain in the Cerritos Neighborhood Watch, contact the Community Safety office at 562-916-1266. 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.