Knock Knock: Redmond Police See Spike in Burglaries

Burglaries have spiked in Redmond this year, especially in certain neighborhoods, which has prompted police to issue an alert to area residents.

"From Jan. 1 – March 27 this year, 42 residential burglaries have been reported in Redmond," said Redmond police spokesman Jim Bove. "The previous three-year year-to-date average is 21."

Most of those burglaries have taken place in the Education Hill (20) and Grasslawn (14) districts.

Just over half of the incidents occurred during the daytime, Bove said, while six burglaries occurred overnight. The rest happened during times that could not be pinpointed due to people being gone on vacations, etc.

Burglars in these cases are taking what Bove called the "usual items" including laptops, jewelry, small electronics (iPods, video games, cell phones, cameras), credit/debit/gift cards, televisions, guns, etc.

Bove said the burglars are typically knocking on doors before breaking in and some have a “lookout” who is outside on a cell phone.

How do they get into the home? The most common method of entry was:

• Unlocked (no signs of forced entry) windows and doors – 14

• Window and sliding glass door smashes – 9

• Door forced/kicked open – 5

• Window pried open – 4

• Open garage door – 3

"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—2nd and 3rd floors, too (especially if you have a ladder outside)," Bove said. 

Three great ways to combat this besides some common sense: 

1.    CPTED – Crime Prevention Through Environmental Design – many of the places burglarized fall into this category; many have high trees/bushes/fences that hide the burglars from doing their thing. Find out more here:www.redmond.gov/PublicSafety/Police/tips/CPTED

2.    There are several things (including CPTED) that can be done to improve your home/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). Follow this link and then click on the beautifully designed and well written piece called “Be Safe” Brochure (page 7 has info on windows, page 9 has info on locks): http://www.redmond.gov/PublicSafety/Police/tips/NeighborhoodWatch

3.    Neighborhood Watch - if you don’t already have one, it immediately multiplies the number of eyes looking out for your home or business safety. Get more info from the above link as well. Get out, meet your neighbors (businesses and residents), know who they are, know who belongs around your property and who doesn’t belong.

What methods do you use to keep burglars away from your home or business? Tell us in comments.