Sean C. Morgan
Of The New Era
The police need the public’s help this Christmas season to help fight theft.
One of the most effective things members of the public can do to help out is to lock up anything and everything that can be locked, Police Chief Bob Burton said.
“Thefts, including theft from vehicles, have reached near epidemic proportions here in Sweet Home in the last few months,” Burford said. From Nov. 7 to Dec. 7, Sweet Home had 66 thefts. The same period last year, a “banner year” for thefts, Sweet Home had 33 thefts.
“In almost 100 percent of the cases, the victims have made it very easy for thieves, doors unlocked and items left out where they can be easily observed and taken,” Burford said. “It takes no more than 30 seconds for thieves on foot or on a bicycle to check your car door, open it and take what’s not firmly bolted down. Give them another 30 seconds, and they can take what’s firmly bolted down also.
“The officers have got their eyes open. They know who the bad guys are out there, but the public’s got to meet us halfway by locking up.
“On any given night, there are eight to 10 known thieves (based on their records) roaming around the neighborhoods on bikes or on foot. That in itself is not against the law. We can stop and talk to them and let them know we’re watching them, but we can’t be every place.”
The number of thefts has been increasing the last couple of years. In 2003, Sweet Home had 399 thefts. In 2004, Sweet Home had 459 thefts.
The weeks before Christmas usually have a higher rate of thefts, Burford said, so it’s important for citizens to protect themselves.
First of all, Burford stressed, lock doors. Second, lock up valuables and keep them out of sight. Don’t leave Christmas gifts, firearms and other valuable items in sight inside a vehicle. If the item is valuable enough, thieves will smash the window to get in.