April, 2014 Board Meeting - Review of the Burglary Incident
GMCA Bulletin
4-4-2014
Police Presentation Regarding the Burglary Incident
The recent burglary on the hill, and the attendance of our Lakewood Police Liaison Officer, drew a large crowd to the board meeting last night. The one hour discussion by our neighbors was exceptional. Getting all the information out will be an ongoing challenge.
Officer Chad Martinez, one of our two neighborhood liaison officers, moderated the discussion. He started with a review of the facts of the case based on the data in the police report, and included discussions by eyewitnesses as well as the homeowner whose house was burglarized.
The Incident
The short story is that an SUV drove slowly by the target house. A man jumped out of the car and went to the front door. The SUV continued down the street. The man at the door knocked and apparently confirmed then that no one was home. He used the air conditioner unit on the side of the house to jump the fence. The SUV returned and parked nearly hidden at the side of the house. Access was gained by kicking in the back garage door and then through an unlocked door into the house. Every drawer in the house was gone through as well as the floor and shelves in the closets. The perpetrators were out of the house in minutes.
One of three neighbors who witnessed the incident, the neighbor across the street, called 911 as the burglary was taking place. The police arrived after the burglars had left the property. The police spotted the car and attempted to stop it but the car raced off. Lakewood Police policy does not permit high speed pursuit in situations of non-violent property theft without any other extenuating circumstances which would justify placing innocent citizens at risk.
The Homeowner
It is very important to report that at the end of the hour of discussion the homeowner made a rather impassioned statement addressing the pride he has in his house, family and neighborhood. While he has learned some things about securing his property, he has no intention of changing his positive attitude about life. He hopes every adult in the neighborhood listens to the recommendations of the city, but he will not worry his small children about this incident. “I slept very well last night.”
The Witness
From across the street, the witness saw the incident from the beginning. He was more than a little curious when the man went to the door. He took immediate action when the man went over the fence. He called 911 and started the police response. Officer Chad Martinez congratulated the witness for his actions.
Chad (we all became friends during the meeting) noted that the witness situation is of course crucial to this kind of event. Answering “What” and “Where” quickly and concisely is key to initiating a 911 call. “I’m witnessing a burglary. My address is …. The burglary is happening at …. The perpetrators are …. Their car is a …. My name is ….” Remember that your phone call to the police is being recorded. Don’t wait thinking this needs to all be written down. Answer the questions asked.
Chad also mentioned something interesting. A smart phone can make a call and take a picture at the same time. It may take practice, but taking a picture or movie is obviously extremely helpful. Engaging the perpetrators is a tricky matter and personal safety is very important. Yelling , slamming a door, and triggering the alarm on your car could scare the perpetrators away without risking your safety.
A neighbor asked Officer Martinez if there is a pattern of burglaries like this one in the Green Mountain area and he said, “No”. Our neighborhood is very safe which can be confirmed by the single incident shown on the map if you look at http://raidsonline.com/, a site recommended by Officer Chad.
Recommendations
Lakewood residents may, call the Lakewood Police for a FREE SECURITY SURVEY. The police will tour your house and make recommendations. These are typically inexpensive fixes, but very important in the prevention of break-ins.
Things you can do:
The best neighborhood safety protection is “neighbors knowing neighbors”. There are of course, other ways to get involved in protecting our neighborhood. The Lakewood Police Neighborhood Watch program is designed to help reduce crimes by having volunteer block captains serve as liaisons between residents on their block and the Lakewood Police Department. Green Mountain Estates is fortunate to have volunteer block captains already in place, but we always need more! Please consider forming a Neighborhood Watch group. Take a look at our web page, http://www.greenmountainestates.org/neighborhood-watch.html
Conclusion
We have a great neighborhood and it will stay that way through our own efforts.
4-4-2014
Police Presentation Regarding the Burglary Incident
The recent burglary on the hill, and the attendance of our Lakewood Police Liaison Officer, drew a large crowd to the board meeting last night. The one hour discussion by our neighbors was exceptional. Getting all the information out will be an ongoing challenge.
Officer Chad Martinez, one of our two neighborhood liaison officers, moderated the discussion. He started with a review of the facts of the case based on the data in the police report, and included discussions by eyewitnesses as well as the homeowner whose house was burglarized.
The Incident
The short story is that an SUV drove slowly by the target house. A man jumped out of the car and went to the front door. The SUV continued down the street. The man at the door knocked and apparently confirmed then that no one was home. He used the air conditioner unit on the side of the house to jump the fence. The SUV returned and parked nearly hidden at the side of the house. Access was gained by kicking in the back garage door and then through an unlocked door into the house. Every drawer in the house was gone through as well as the floor and shelves in the closets. The perpetrators were out of the house in minutes.
One of three neighbors who witnessed the incident, the neighbor across the street, called 911 as the burglary was taking place. The police arrived after the burglars had left the property. The police spotted the car and attempted to stop it but the car raced off. Lakewood Police policy does not permit high speed pursuit in situations of non-violent property theft without any other extenuating circumstances which would justify placing innocent citizens at risk.
The Homeowner
It is very important to report that at the end of the hour of discussion the homeowner made a rather impassioned statement addressing the pride he has in his house, family and neighborhood. While he has learned some things about securing his property, he has no intention of changing his positive attitude about life. He hopes every adult in the neighborhood listens to the recommendations of the city, but he will not worry his small children about this incident. “I slept very well last night.”
The Witness
From across the street, the witness saw the incident from the beginning. He was more than a little curious when the man went to the door. He took immediate action when the man went over the fence. He called 911 and started the police response. Officer Chad Martinez congratulated the witness for his actions.
Chad (we all became friends during the meeting) noted that the witness situation is of course crucial to this kind of event. Answering “What” and “Where” quickly and concisely is key to initiating a 911 call. “I’m witnessing a burglary. My address is …. The burglary is happening at …. The perpetrators are …. Their car is a …. My name is ….” Remember that your phone call to the police is being recorded. Don’t wait thinking this needs to all be written down. Answer the questions asked.
Chad also mentioned something interesting. A smart phone can make a call and take a picture at the same time. It may take practice, but taking a picture or movie is obviously extremely helpful. Engaging the perpetrators is a tricky matter and personal safety is very important. Yelling , slamming a door, and triggering the alarm on your car could scare the perpetrators away without risking your safety.
A neighbor asked Officer Martinez if there is a pattern of burglaries like this one in the Green Mountain area and he said, “No”. Our neighborhood is very safe which can be confirmed by the single incident shown on the map if you look at http://raidsonline.com/, a site recommended by Officer Chad.
Recommendations
Lakewood residents may, call the Lakewood Police for a FREE SECURITY SURVEY. The police will tour your house and make recommendations. These are typically inexpensive fixes, but very important in the prevention of break-ins.
Things you can do:
- Use 3 inch screws to anchor the strike plate on your door locks. Small screws make it easy to kick in a door.
- Consider your home’s visibility to neighbors so that burglars are not easily hidden as they do their work.
- Lock the door to your house from the garage and make sure it too has 3 inch screws in the strike plate.
The best neighborhood safety protection is “neighbors knowing neighbors”. There are of course, other ways to get involved in protecting our neighborhood. The Lakewood Police Neighborhood Watch program is designed to help reduce crimes by having volunteer block captains serve as liaisons between residents on their block and the Lakewood Police Department. Green Mountain Estates is fortunate to have volunteer block captains already in place, but we always need more! Please consider forming a Neighborhood Watch group. Take a look at our web page, http://www.greenmountainestates.org/neighborhood-watch.html
Conclusion
We have a great neighborhood and it will stay that way through our own efforts.