From Jan. 1 to March 27 there were 42 residential burglaries in Redmond.
The previous three-year, year-to-date average is 21. The majority of the current burglaries have occurred in the Education Hill and Grass Lawn districts with 20 and 14, respectively. A little more than half of these occurred during the daytime and six occurred over night, with the rest unable to be determined — for instance if someone was on vacation. The usual items targeted included computers and laptops, jewelry, small electronics (iPods, video games, cell phones, cameras, etc.), credit, debit and gift cards, televisions and guns.
“They are normally knocking on doors before breaking in and some have a ‘lookout’ who is outside on a cell phone,” said Redmond Police Department (RPD) spokes person Jim Bove.
The most common methods of entry were:
- Unlocked (no signs of forced entry) windows and doors — 14
- Window and sliding glass door smashes — nine• Door forced/kicked open — five• Window pried open — four
- Open garage door — three
“Especially with school breaks, vacations and warm weather (hopefully) on its way, we cannot reiterate enough to lock your windows and doors, especially when you aren’t home — second and third floors, too (especially if you have a ladder outside),” Bove said.
Bove offered three ways to help deter burglars:
- Crime prevention through environmental design (CPTED) — many of the places burglarized fall into this category; many have high trees, bushes or fences that can hide the burglars. To learn more, visit www.redmond.gov/PublicSafety/Police/tips/CPTED.
- There are several things (including CPTED) that can be done to improve home and business safety, but one thing to point out is the security film that can be put on windows making it very difficult for someone to break in (yet easy to kick out from the indoors if there is a fire). For more information, visit www.redmond.gov/PublicSafety/Police/tips/NeighborhoodWatch and then click on the “Be Safe” brochure.
- Neighborhood watch — this immediately multiplies the number of eyes looking out for your home or business safety. More information is available at the above link as well. This will also help you get out, meet your neighbors (businesses and residents), know who they are, know who belongs around your property and who doesn’t belong.
