Sergeant Don Anderson of the Edmonds Police Department says that residential burglary rates throughout King and Snohomish Counties have increased over the past several months and they would like to provide some helpful tips to citizens to assist them in avoiding becoming a victim. 

“The citizens of Edmonds are still our biggest asset in detecting and catching these thieves and we continue to seek their assistance in the reporting of suspicious subjects, vehicles and circumstances,” Anderson said.

Anderson said a common theme in residential burglaries is the suspect’s attempts to assure that the home is unoccupied before they break in.

“Commonly a suspect will ring the door bell or knock on the front door and if they receive no answer they will go to a more secluded part of the house and force entry through a door or window,” he said.

“In addition to making your house look occupied, if someone knocks on your door you should do something to make sure that they know someone is home, whether you choose to answer the door or not. 

“If you do answer the door for someone and they do not appear to have a legitimate reason for being there, call 911 and report this, providing as much detail as you can about the subject and any vehicles that they may be associated with.” 

Anderson said the most effective tool the police have in thwarting home burglaries is the alert homeowner reporting suspicious persons or activities in their neighborhoods.

The Edmonds Police Department considers this issue a priority and not only is it a primary focus of their patrol officers but they have also dedicated additional investigative resources and have been working collaboratively with neighboring investigators facing the same crime trend.

Residential burglaries statistically occur during the day while families are at work or school.

“The most common entry technique is a hard kick to the door, forcing the wooden jamb to give way. Household tools like hammers, screwdrivers, pry bars and pliers may be used to gain entry into your home,” Anderson said.

“Unfortunately, it is hard to catch burglars in the act and harder to catch them after the fact.”

While residential burglaries seem random in nature, there is a simple selection process.

Targeted homes tend to be those where the burglars don’t believe anyone is home, with easy or concealed access and quick escape routes are targeted.

Once inside, burglars look for small expensive items that are easily traded for cash. Favorite items include cash, jewelry, laptops, CD/DVD players, game consoles, watches, guns and small electronic devices.

Ways To Discourage Burglars

Bright ideas:

• Install lights by all exterior doors. Use lights at night.
• Install outside light fixtures where bulbs are hard to reach.
• Illuminate house numbers for quick emergency services response
• Trim shrubs back from doors and windows. Don’t give burglars places to hide.
• Use motion sensors and photocells on exterior floodlights

Vehicle smarts:

• Close the garage door and cover windows so no one can see inside.
• Leave only the ignition key with parking lot attendants – if required.
• Hide the garage door opener from open view in your car.

Doors & windows:

• Change the locks when moving into a new residence.
• Always lock your doors and windows.
• Give your neighbor the spare key – Don’t hide it outside.
• Use solid core or metal exterior doors.
• Install four-screw strike plates with three-inch screws to penetrate the wood door frame.
• Use dead bolt locks if glass is within 3 feet of the lock.
• Add auxiliary track-type locks, removable drop bars, wooden dowels, or pinning devices to windows and sliding glass doors.
• Install peepholes on doors with 160 degree views.
• Upgrade old locks.

Personal information:

• Keep valuables in a safe deposit box.
• Use a locking mailbox.
• Protect credit/debit card accounts and PIN numbers
• Dealing With Strangers:
• Never let strangers enter your home.
• Verify workers by ID cards and calling their employer.
• Never give keys to workers.
• Never leave notes for anyone on the door.

While on vacation:

• Hire a house sitter.
• Ask neighbors to help with your trash bins and newspaper.
• Install a UL approved and monitored residential alarm system.
• Park a neighbor’s car in your driveway.
• Use timers on indoor lights to give the impression that you are home.
• Deliver merchandise to a neighbor’s house.
• Ask neighbors to watch your house while you are gone.

What you can do:

• If someone you do not recognize knocks on your door, make sure that they know someone is home.
• Never open your door if you are at all uncomfortable.
• Immediately call 911 to report suspicious vehicles and/or persons.
• Get to know your neighbors.           
• Don’t ever be afraid or embarrassed to call 911.